Keeping Communities Connected When It Matters Most

How Gannawarra Shire Council improved mobile connectivity across key community locations to support communication during emergencies and everyday life.

• Industry: Local Government
• Solution: Mobile Signal Boosting
• Locations: 7 community hubs
• Focus: Connectivity, resilience, community safety

Supporting Regional Communities Across Critical Moments

Gannawarra Shire Council supports a network of regional communities where reliable communication plays a critical role in safety, coordination and day-to-day life.

Access to mobile connectivity is essential, not only for routine communication, but for ensuring residents can stay informed and connected during emergencies.

Limited Connectivity When It Was Needed Most

The 2022 floods highlighted a critical gap in mobile coverage across key community hubs.

During emergency situations:

• Residents relied heavily on mobile communication
• Coverage was inconsistent across locations
• Access to real-time updates was limited
• Community hubs were not fully equipped to support connectivity needs

This created risk during high-pressure situations where communication is essential.

A Simple, Reliable Approach To Strengthening Connectivity

Gannawarra Shire Council partnered with Star21 to implement a mobile signal boosting solution across seven community locations.

The solution included:

• Cel-Fi GO repeater technology
• External antennas and signal distribution
• Coverage designed for community hub environments

The approach was intentionally simple:

• No ongoing operational complexity
• Minimal maintenance requirements
• Designed for long-term reliability

This ensured the solution could deliver consistent performance without adding burden to the Council.

Delivered With Minimal Disruption To The Community

Star21 managed the project end-to-end, from site assessment through to installation.

Key aspects of delivery:

• Coordinated rollout across multiple sites
• Clear communication throughout the project
• Efficient installation process
• Minimal disruption to community operations

The focus was on delivering a practical solution, quickly and reliably.

More Reliable Communication Across Critical Community Locations

The new solution has strengthened mobile connectivity across community hubs, improving communication during both emergency and everyday situations.

Key outcomes include:

• More reliable mobile coverage within community facilities
• Improved ability to stay connected during emergencies
• Better access to information and communication services
• Increased confidence in community infrastructure

In critical moments, consistent communication can make a measurable difference.

Ongoing Benefits Beyond Emergency Response

While the project was driven by emergency response needs, the benefits extend into everyday community life.

Residents now experience:

• Improved mobile reception around community hubs
• Easier communication during events and gatherings
• Better access to digital services

This has created an added layer of connection, supporting both safety and community engagement year-round.

Delivering Confidence Through Reliable Connectivity

“These boosters provide peace of mind for residents needing to connect with loved ones and services during emergencies, while also supporting community events and daily activities throughout the year.”

Geoff Rollinson, CEO, Gannawarra Shire Council

A Stronger Foundation For Connected Communities

By improving connectivity across key locations, Gannawarra Shire Council has taken a practical step toward:

• Strengthening community resilience
• Supporting emergency response capability
• Enhancing everyday communication
• Building more connected regional communities

Improve Connectivity Across Your Environment

If your organisation is managing connectivity challenges across sites or regions, we can help you design and deliver a practical, scalable solution.

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