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Hawkesbury City Council is calling on Telstra to recommit to building a planned mobile base station at Berambing, as residents warn the project risks collapsing amid growing tensions over who is responsible for delivering the infrastructure.
In a statement released this week, Council urged Telstra to “finish the job” and construct the tower after the telecommunications company indicated it no longer supports the project.
The proposed tower forms part of the Connected Communities Through Disaster Recovery and Beyond program, established following the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires to improve communications during emergencies across the Hawkesbury.
Council received federal grant funding for the program in July 2021 and worked with Telstra to identify suitable locations for a number of new mobile base stations across the local government area.
Several towers have since been delivered, but the Berambing site has faced delays.
Telstra lodged a development application for the Berambing base station on 4 December 2024. The proposal was approved by the Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel on 17 April 2025.
However, the original bushfire recovery grant program lapsed in March 2025 before the project could be delivered.
Council says it has since worked with the National Emergency Management Agency and the NSW Reconstruction Authority to secure new funding, pending Telstra’s commitment to build and operate the tower by 30 March 2026.
According to Council, Telstra has now advised that it will not proceed with the project, arguing that the area is adequately served by other nearby base stations, including a recently constructed tower at Mount Tomah.
Hawkesbury Mayor Les Sheather said Council was urging Telstra and the federal government to reconsider.
“Council is not a telecommunications provider, nor does it have any statutory ability to act as a telecommunications carrier,” Cr Sheather said.
“The provision of such services lies squarely with Telstra.
“There is no such thing as mobile coverage that is too good, especially in an emergency. Berambing residents will happily tell you that mobile coverage in that area is insufficient.
“I urge the Federal Government and Telstra to return and finish the job here in the Hawkesbury and provide the infrastructure, and peace of mind, our residents need and deserve.”
But some residents say they are concerned Council is attempting to shift responsibility for the stalled project onto Telstra.
Community members note that the project failed to go ahead because of Council incompetence which only came to light when Telstra prepared to begin construction in October 2025 and discovered the funding had already expired.
While telecommunications carriers ultimately decide where mobile infrastructure is built, residents argue that Council still has a critical role in ensuring the project remains viable by applying for refunding of the project before 30 March 2026.
Others point out that Telstra is not the only potential operator for the tower. Alternative options could include other carriers such as Optus or Vodafone, or the construction of a neutral host tower capable of supporting multiple providers.
With bushfire risk a constant concern in the Bells Line of Road corridor, residents say reliable communications are essential for contacting emergency services, coordinating evacuations and receiving emergency warnings.
Attention is now turning to whether Council will pursue the renewed funding opportunity to keep the project alive while alternative telecommunications partners are explored.
