As school holidays bring a surge of visitors to the South Coast, locals say they’re being left high and dry when it comes to basic mobile coverage—hurting businesses, frustrating tradespeople, and putting emergency services at risk.
Independent candidate for Gilmore, Kate Dezarnaulds, is calling for urgent action to fix persistent mobile blackspots, which are disrupting daily life for residents and leaving the region ill-equipped to handle peak holiday periods.
“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of Australia—but when the crowds arrive, our mobile networks crash,” Kate said. “Local businesses lose sales, tradies can’t get job details, and when someone needs an ambulance, you can’t even get a signal. That’s not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous.”
Businesses and Visitors Frustrated
From Berry to Kangaroo Valley and along the Princes Highway, patchy reception and dropped calls are now a regular occurrence. Locals report outages worsened by the 3G shutdown, and promised improvements have not materialised. Business owners say the issue is especially damaging during school holidays, when trade should be booming.
“We regularly have customers in tears because they can’t transfer money or use their mobile banking apps,” said Alison Hayes-Chessell, who runs The Garden Berry café and restaurant. “It’s not a good look for a town that relies on tourism.”
Alison says the issue isn’t just about payments—it’s also hurting how hospitality venues manage bookings and crowds.
“We use a digital waitlist to manage busy periods, but when the internet crashes, the system’s useless,” she said. “People think it’s our fault when they can’t access the link—but it’s the coverage. It’s frustrating and it’s costing every business in town.”
“Visitors constantly ask, ‘Is this normal?’ And unfortunately, we have to say yes. It’s embarrassing, and it’s affecting the reputation of Berry as a place to visit or move to.”
With the Election Weeks Away, Locals Want Action—Not Excuses
The federal government previously announced $6.5 million to fix blackspots in Gilmore, but residents say they’ve seen no real improvements. With the federal election just weeks away, many in the community say they’re fed up with empty promises and political point-scoring—especially when it comes to issues like mobile coverage that affect safety, local jobs, and day-to-day life.
Kate Dezarnaulds says locals are tired of party politics and want real solutions.
“As an Independent, I’m not tied to party lines—I’ll stand up for what this community actually needs,” Kate said.
She points to Independent MP Helen Haines as proof of what’s possible.
“Helen helped secure $20 million for mobile blackspots in regional Victoria. That’s the kind of result we need here on the South Coast.”
“We’ve been promised better service before, but nothing’s changed. It’s time to hold decision-makers to account.”
— ENDS —
Notes for Media:
- Case studies from Berry and Kangaroo Valley available. Other Gilmore case studies can be sourced on request.
- Pronunciation: Kate’s surname, Dezarnaulds, is pronounced ‘Dez-ar-know’.
Media Assets
-
Photos available here
MEDIA CONTACT:
About Kate Dezarnaulds and Her Campaign for Gilmore
Kate Dezarnaulds is an independent candidate for Gilmore, committed to delivering practical, community-driven solutions for the South Coast. A local business leader and advocate for regional investment, Kate is focused on fixing real issues, including improving infrastructure, strengthening local economies, and ensuring government funding reaches the people who need it.
Kate’s campaign is built on listening to the community, advocating for transparency, and working collaboratively to achieve meaningful change. She believes that Gilmore deserves a strong, independent voice in Canberra—one that puts people before politics.
For more information, visit kate4gilmore.com.au or follow Kate on socials: @kate4gilmore
Authorised by Kate Dezarnaulds, Independent for South Coast Pty Ltd, 3/68 Albert St, Berry NSW 2535