Country areas face housing and telecommunications ‘crisis’

The development of regional Victoria is being plagued by mobile phone black spots and poor internet coverage, a new report has found.

And country areas are facing a housing crisis as infrastructure struggles to keep up with those ditching Melbourne for the fresh country air in a post-COVID world.

Peter Colacino, Chief of Policy and Research at Infrastructure Australia, said there were enduring concerns, particularly around telecommunications.

“Many people from Melbourne have looked to a sea change, or tree change, during the pandemic and they’ve taken their jobs with them,” he said.

“The pressures associated with access to high quality telecommunications are just very pronounced.”

He’s calling on government to engage with community.

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