The true extent of poor mobile phone reception in key areas of the Bellarine including StLeonards, Indented Head and Curlewis is being scoped out in an on-line community survey conducted by local Federal MP Libby Coker.

Ive resorted to conducting my own survey in response to the many complaints coming to my office from Bellarine residents experiencing poor mobile reception, Ms Coker said.

Many complaints are from St Leonards, Indented Heads and Curlewis. Theres no doubt that reception is really poor, and sometimes non-existent, for many in those areas. Ive experienced this myself travelling to and from local Bellarine townships.

For people living in those black spots its not just frustrating, its creating real risks. This has been especially so during the pandemic where parents are trying to support their children or elderly family members.

Decent mobile reception to call an ambulance or other services is an absolute necessity.

I met recently with the St Leonards Progress Association. Its members are totally frustrated by an apparent lack of care by the phone companies.

Once I develop a detailed understanding of the nature and geographic spread of the reception issues Ill go to the telco companies and make strong representations on behalf of Bellarine communities.

Weve had success with a similar approach in Armstrong Creek where telcos have agreed to fast-track additional telecommunication towers.

My survey includes questions about the location and frequency of the reception trouble people are experiencing, as well as the telco they use. Im circulating flyers about the survey over coming weeks.

Id urge people having mobile phone reception issues to take a couple of minutes to fill out the on-line survey and help me make Bellarine communities better connected and safer, Ms Coker said.

The survey can be accessed at: www.libbycoker.com.au/surveybellarinemobile