Councillors voted to write to Mr Tehan and personally meet with him to express their dissatisfaction with the way the new internet technology is being delivered in places such as Port Fairy, Koroit and Mortlake.

The shire is concerned not enough businesses, community organisations and dwellings are receiving the faster fibre-to-the-node technology, and instead will be forced to use the slower and less reliable fixed wireless and satellite technologies.

Moyne councillors also voted to write to federal regional communications minister Fiona Nash and her opposition counterpart Stephen Jones to express their concerns.

Mr Jones has already written to the shire, promising to advocate on their behalf.

In his letter, he said the NBN rollout had shortchanged numerous small towns around Australia and that he planned to raise the matter in upcoming senate estimates hearings in Canberra.

Mr Jones told The Standard that Moyne Shire was doing the right thing by writing to Mr Tehan, Ms Nash and himself, saying there was a slim possibility they could change NBN Co’s mind.

“I do have some hope – I have seen the result of community pressure where NBN Co has gone back to the drawing board and came up with a new plan, such as in Queenstown in Tasmania for example,” Mr Jones said.

He said it was disappointing some south-west residents were being saddled with the slower, more expensive satellite technology, which was meant to be “a last resort for truly remote” locations.