Six members have been appointed to the country-wide committee including Tamworth businesswoman, farmer and community advocate, Robbie Sefton.

For years Megan Marchant has been encouraging Walcha residents to write to their local member and telco company.

“There is certainly a shortfall when it comes to delivering reliable bush telecommunications, and the review is very welcome news and a step in the right direction,” she told the Walcha News.

“I am encouraged by the panel – as they live in small rural communities and they will know of our daily struggles, with the lack of basic communications-such as no landlines, mobiles and connectivity.”

NSW Farmers Walcha chapter president Sonia O’Keefe said it was essential the community made their experience known.  

“This review is conducted every three years, and for the first time the terms of reference include mobile coverage,” she said.  

“The committee will shortly call for submissions and will undertake public consultations in regional and rural areas later in the year. It is very important that we take this opportunity to feed into the review all the concerns that we have.  NSW Farmers will be feeding back information from our members directly and also through the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) which aims to increase the equity and accessibility of telecommunications for rural residents and businesses.”

She also said Robbie Sefton will be great on the committee alongside Johanna Plante and Kylie Stretton.

“They all have incredible experience with rural telecommunications,” Ms O’Keefe said.

Mrs Marchant warned locals not to sit back and think someone else will say something. 

“Please speak up and let the government know, we aren’t just complaining, we are fed up, and it is time for action,” she said.

“My expectation of the review would be that it isn’t just another three-yearly review, in print. That someone is held accountable and that there are actual results, delivered, to the rural and remote areas, who have been putting up with the unacceptable conditions, for far too long, because we don’t have a choice.

“Businesses and farms are more reliant on the digitalised world than ever before, to improve and run our businesses more efficiently, yet we seem to be held back by mobile blackspots, old failing infrastructure and the lack of upgraded equipment or even an active plan moving forward to continually, upgrade telecommunications equipment. 

“Things seem to be dealt with, so inefficiently, on a case by case system, rather than looking at the bigger picture. Our future rural and remote business existence and success relies heavily on access to all telecommunications.”

The Committee is expected to report to government by the end of September 2018. More information on the review and the terms of reference are available at: www.rtirc.gov.au