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Ingram Urges Communities To Join Fight For Retention Of PayphonesIndependent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, today urged local residents to assist in the fight to retain public payphones located at a number of towns in his electorate. By Craig Ingram - 13th February 2009 - Back to News "I was first alerted to the fact by a resident of Club Terrace who contacted my office for assistance, and further investigation shows that this payphone is just one of many that have been earmarked for removal by Telstra in remote locations," Mr Ingram said.
"Other towns include Bendoc, Cabbage Tree, Combienbar, Ensay, Fernbank, Genoa and Newmerella, and in all cases they are the sole public payphone in the locality for many kilometres.
"This will not only affect residents of these remote localities, but also disadvantage people travelling through these areas that need to use a payphone in times of emergency.
"Telstra has also provided advice that they are considering removal of two payphones each in Bairnsdale, Cann River, Orbost and Paynesville, one in Omeo and three in Lakes Entrance."
Mr Ingram said concerned local residents should make a submission to Telstra and outline the reasons the payphone should be retained.
"I will be making my own submission and I am aware that East Gippsland Shire Council will also be making its own submission.
"Telstra has a Universal Service Obligation that it must uphold to provide public payphones.
"While many of these earmarked phones may not generate high returns for Telstra, they are an integral part of infrastructure and are crucial in times of emergency.
"Many of these localities have limited or no mobile phone coverage and not every person owns a mobile phone.
"Telstra should lift its focus from profit making and concentrate on providing country residents with the service they deserve," Mr Ingram said.
Before making comment, concerned citizens are also being urged to contact East Gippsland Shire Council in the first instance for further information on the proposed closures.
Written submissions directly to Telstra should be made by the end of February and addressed to: Manager Payphone Services – Telstra, 620 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin, Victoria, 3910.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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