Thursday, 13 August 2026

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (17:20): (1783) I have a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services, and I am thrilled he is in the chamber to listen. The action I seek is for the minister to provide funding for the replacement of the UHF CB repeater station at Mount Concord above Molesworth, which was completely destroyed during the Longwood fires in January. The Mount Concord repeater has been a vital communications link for the communities of Yarck, Molesworth, Gobur, Cathkin, Kanumbra, Yea and surrounding areas, providing reliable coverage across the region, particularly during emergencies, when timely information is critical to community safety. Multiple people have brought this matter to my attention and want to see it actioned as soon as possible. The tower is compromised, and the guy wires holding it up will need replacing. The communications hut was burnt to the ground, and the antennas need replacing. It is solar powered and needs new panels and new batteries.

The loss of this repeater during the Longwood fires has left a major gap in local communications capability. Residents, emergency volunteers and community organisations have relied on the service it provided not only as a source of local information but also as a means of maintaining communications during bushfires, storms, floods, power outages and other emergencies. It is such an essential backup when phones fall over, and in the Murrindindi shire there have been plenty of natural disasters. The communities of Yarck, Molesworth and Gobur understand the importance of reliable communications during emergencies. The destruction of the repeater has exposed a gap in critical infrastructure that should be supported by government. Replacing it would strengthen community resilience, improve public safety and ensure residents continue to receive vital information when it matters most.

Murphy’s law was in action here too. The station was refurbished through a state government grant for floods some 12 to 18 months ago. The 30-year-old device got a full makeover. However, this time it needs to be fully replaced. Seventy per cent of the Longwood fires burnt in Murrindindi, and there is still so much more to be done to help communities and people recover. The shire is doing all it can but needs so much assistance. As the newly minted minister gets to understand the extent of the Longwood fires, he will appreciate why residents in Fawcett are desperate for their bridges to be replaced. So, Minister, while you are at it, just be aware that there are many local bridges – nine probably – that need replacing, and find a way to make it happen. Communities need to be connected, and emergency services need access to all areas. As local Sam Hicks said:

For someone looking at this from outside our district, these may simply appear to be damaged bridges on a map.

But they are community connectors. There is so much to do, including infrastructure like bridges, but I am really keen to see that the repeater station at Mount Concord is funded to be replaced.