Update 05 Dec (PM): Telstra Exchange Fire In Warrnambool

This is the latest update on Telstra’s ongoing efforts to restore communication services in south-western Victoria. 

Technicians have continued to make progress in restoring landline and internet services. Ninety five per cent of impacted landlines have now been repaired. Today technicians continue to individually re-cable remaining landline services through the Warrnambool exchange. Additional scaffolding has been set up to expedite the repair of some remaining damaged cables. Over 50 kilometres of transmission cabling has been replaced to date.

Work to restore internet services is ongoing with approximately 65 per cent of services restored as of this morning. More than 100 technicians are on site carrying out repairs as quickly as possible. 

Telstra has announced a process for business customers affected by this communications outage to claim compensation. The process will include a dedicated call centre for businesses, visits to affected towns and an online claim form. View the announcement here. 

With many business services now being restored Telstra has set up a dedicated team to take calls from business customers who may require assistance in reconfiguring their phone and internet services. This team can be reached on 1800 008 979 between the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm. Today Telstra representatives are going door to door in business areas to check if customers need assistance in Mortlake, Camperdown and Terang with reconfiguring services or getting back online.

Chief Operations Officer, Brendon Riley is visiting stakeholders in Hamilton today and David Piltz who is heading the Telstra internal review has arrived in Warrnambool today to inspect the exchange.

We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers. We are doing everything we can to get them connected as soon as possible.