TELSTRA’S chief executive David Thodey will be in Warrnambool today for a first-hand look at extensive repairs to the fire-damaged telephone exchange which caused a telecommunications blackout across the south-west.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He will inspect the Koroit Street building where up to 100 technicians are working around-the-clock aiming to restore all services by Saturday.
The November 22 fire caused the biggest outage from a single exchange in Telstra’s history.
Millions of dollars of new equipment and kilometres of wiring have been trucked in from around the nation for the huge repair effort.
Compensation claims are likely to be in the millions from businesses and private householders across the region stretching from Lismore to Portland. Mr Thodey’s visit reflects a clear realisation among Telstra leaders of the wide ramifications of a fire in just one exchange.
Tomorrow the national operations services manager Brendon Riley will make his second visit in a week.
After inspecting the repair effort and thanking technicians, Mr Thodey will give media interviews and meet Warrnambool City Council leaders.
Mayor Michael Neoh welcomed news of Mr Thodey’s visit and hoped it would give an impression of how hard the outage hit.
“You don’t get a feel unless you are on the ground,” Cr Neoh said.
“I will be relating the impact so far, but we won’t know the full extent until well after the exchange is restored.”
“I hope to also gain more information on compensation and the promised Telstra-funded promotion of the south-west.
“It’s a pity he couldn’t make it for the public forum on Thursday night.”
Business operators are urged to attend the forum in the Lighthouse Theatre starting at 7.30pm which will give them a chance to hear how the Telstra compensation process will work and an update on repair work.
Wannon MP Dan Tehan will also give an update on the forthcoming inquiry announced by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
Cr Neoh said a letter from the city council was sent yesterday to Senator Conroy requesting the inquiry look at more than the causes and future implications for Telstra, but also at social, economic and logistical impacts across the region.
“We want the inquiry to look at the lessons to prevent a similar incident, and the immediate, short-term and long-term implications,” Cr Neoh said.
