MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday 8 April 2025

Survey Exposes Infrastructure Failures in Lyne

A new community survey has laid bare the deep frustration relating to infrastructure and employment across the Lyne electorate, highlighting the challenges faced every day by residents and local businesses.

“The community is well past frustrated. People are sick of being ignored when it comes to the basics like mobile service and decent roads,” said Independent for Lyne, Jeremy Miller.

“Over half the respondents in regional areas say they can’t run their business or contact loved ones because of dodgy mobile reception. That’s not just inconvenient, it’s dangerous and it’s holding our region back,” Miller said.

The survey also revealed the growing challenge of staff shortages. One in three businesses reported struggling to hire and retain qualified staff.

"This shortage has had a negative impact on local industries, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture, and is seen as a major obstacle to the region’s economic development." Miller said.

Quality of infrastructure emerged as a central issue, with 78% reporting daily challenges due to the state of roads in the electorate.  Miller explained, “the Federal government is neglecting its responsibility when it comes to local roads.  By reducing the Financial Assistance Grants, the government has ripped $18 million every year out of the Councils in Lyne.  That money should be returned from 1 July and it should be spent on our local roads.”

Despite the challenges, half of respondents said they were optimistic about the region’s employment potential — but stressed that better support and targeted programs are needed to connect job seekers with real opportunities.

KEY SURVEY FINDINGS:

• 52% of residents report serious mobile black spot issues
  
• 31% of businesses struggling to hire qualified staff
  
• 50% believe the local job market needs greater support
  
• 78% say local roads are in poor condition
  

“These survey results are a wake-up call,” said Miller. “We need action, not excuses. I’m committed to working with our community, councils, and industry to fix mobile coverage, boost workforce training, and secure the infrastructure funding we deserve.”

Jeremy Miller is the Community Independent for Lyne, chosen by community members across the Lyne electorate in response to a twelve month listening campaign aimed at prioritising the local needs of the Lyne electorate.