For the first time last week Nannup residents along the Balingup-Nannup Road got mobile phone reception when the Quongup tower was switched on.

The 70-metre-high tower has been built 290 metres above sea level on an existing steel structure from which landlines run.

Mobile equipment and antennas have been added to the structure, and it will be further upgraded for broadband requirements.

From an emergency services perspective, the tower was a major boost for locals, Nannup Shire CEO Shane Collie saidlast week.

“The main impetus for this was through the fires,” Mr Collie said.

“We had people who when their power went their phones went, leaving them isolated, and even if they got to their cars there were no local updates.

Having reception would be a boon for the many bed and breakfasts along the Nannup-Balingup Road, Mr Collie said. Those businesses’ guests often had no idea of conditions in the area – including that it was easy to get disorientated in the surrounding landscape.

“There will be numerous benefits,” he said.

On travelling out to the station last week, Mr Collie said it was the first time he had enjoyed mobile coverage all the way through the area.

Construction of the Balingup tower has been held up by a problem with the steel supply, because that tower is to be built from scratch.

However, activity should begin at the site this week, Telstra’s southern WA general manager Ray Philp said.

“When the Balingup tower goes in, you will get pretty much continuous coverage from Balingup to Quongup,” he said.

The Balingup tower should be completed and working by the end of March.