Cloncurry, Normanton and Karumba left helpless as Telstra services fail

Towns in north-west Queensland have been without consistent phone or internet coverage for a fortnight, leaving residents and businesses without contact and concerned about their safety in emergencies.

Telstra said severe weather damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen and its associated low earlier this month left Cloncurry, Normanton and Karumba with sporadic coverage.

However, residents have reported that the issues are abnormal for a regular storm season and they say they have been left helpless as repairs are made.

Leanne Crossland tried to call 000 in Karumba and after several attempts couldn’t reach a signal or be connected to the emergency services.

“There were drunken men on Sunday night driving on the footpath whilst…