Payphone to stay in Euabalong after public pressure
Wednesday Decenber 16, 2009
Opposition to the proposed removal of a Telstra payphone in Euabalong West has paid off, with Telstra deciding to retain the phone.
Cobar Shire Council was notified earlier this year of Telstra’s intention to remove three payphones from the shire.
Following a period of public consultation, Telstra has changed its plan and will keep a payphone in Euabalong West which had been earmarked for removal.
However two other payphones, located in Brough Street, Cobar and Edward Street, Canbelego, will still be removed.
Cobar Shire Council had objected particularly to the removal of the Euabalong West payphone.
In correspondence to council, Telstra Payphone Provisioning Manager Mark Austen said the review process “highlighted some factors that in retrospect needed more consideration”.
“As promised, no final decision was made prior to a thorough investigation which included site visiting all phones and considering all submissions on their merits,” Mr Austen said.
However the payphones in Cobar and Canbelego are expected to be removed in the coming weeks.
“We believe that the lack of patronage and the cost of retaining these payphones outweigh any reasons put forward for retention,” Mr Austen said.
“There are alternate payphones inside what is required under Telstra’s Universal Service Obligation.”
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