Community hubs and satellite links aim to fix bushfire communication failures in regional Australia
After a 2026 bushfire left phones and power dead in Castlemaine, experts are testing solar-powered information hubs with satellite VoIP to keep residents informed during emergencies.
When a fast-moving grass fire struck Castlemaine in January 2026, power outages disabled phones, the NBN and even the local emergency app, leaving residents without reliable warnings. Fiannuala Morgan, a University of Melbourne lecturer, experienced the chaos firsthand, using a car radio after the Mount Alexander broadcast tower burned. To address such gaps, former Lockheed Martin Australia chief Vince Di Pietro coordinated Shoalhaven City Council’s resilience project, installing 26 solar- and battery-powered community information hubs in council buildings.
Each hub features external and internal screens that can switch to an emergency mode and a satellite-based VoIP phone that works when cellular networks are down. Built with a $2 million state-federal grant, the hubs are the only network of their kind in Australia and are intended to serve both daily community information needs and disaster alerts. The model is attracting interest from other NSW councils and prompts calls for legislation requiring backup power at mobile towers, championed by MP Helen Haines. While the technology shows promise, officials acknowledge challenges in public awareness and ongoing maintenance.
Why it matters
Reliable communication can mean the difference between safety and disaster during bushfires.
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