WA mobile blackspot eliminated

The popular West Australian surfing hotspot of Gracetown has finally got a mobile phone tower after rescue efforts at various tragedies over the years were hampered by poor coverage.

The telecommunications blackspot has frustrated emergency responses to several fatal shark attacks, sea rescues, bushfires and a cliff collapse in 1996 that left nine people dead.

On Friday, the state government announced a mobile phone tower had been switched on at Gracetown, near Margaret River, as part of a $45 million Royalties for Regions telecommunications project.

"The Gracetown tower will help build stronger local businesses, attract visitors to the town and improve public safety," regional development minister Terry Redman said.