A way to reach your neighbours when nothing else works.
The MEPCC emergency radio network connects properties across the Mangrove, Yarramalong, Lower Hawkesbury and Wollombi districts, so neighbours can reach each other when everything else fails.
Why this network exists
In a bad fire, flood or storm, we lose power, phone and internet, often for days. Roads get cut. For properties spread through these valleys, that means real isolation at exactly the moment help is needed most.
The MEPCC was formed after the 1994 bushfires. For years the answer was a telephone tree: a list of who rings who. It worked until it didn’t, because in a genuine emergency, the landlines and mobiles go down first.
The radio network doesn’t depend on any of that. Each station runs on backup power and talks directly to its neighbours. No towers, no exchange, no internet.
What it covers
The network reaches from Spencer and Mt White in the south, north to Wollombi and Paynes Crossing, and east to Somersby.
Localities within the coverage area.
Localities in the coverage area: Bucketty, Calga, Cedar Brush Creek, Central Mangrove, Cohens Creek, Dairy Arm, Dooralong, Fernances Crossing, Glenworth Valley, Greengrove, Gunderman, Jilliby, Kulnura, Laguna, Lemon Tree, Lower Mangrove, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain, Marlow, Mt White, Murrays Run, Paynes Crossing, Peats Ridge, Ravensdale, Somersby, Somersby Falls, Spencer, Ten Mile Hollow, Watagan, Wendoree Park, Wollombi, Wyong Creek, Yarramalong.
How it works
Every station can reach at least two others.
Stations are placed so messages can be relayed across the district, even where the terrain blocks a direct signal.
Communities are grouped into hamlets.
Each hamlet has a leader who passes on information and keeps track of who might need help.
We test regularly.
Practice sessions run on the Tuesday and Thursday of the first week of January, April, July, October and December, from 6pm to 7pm, with larger network-wide tests as well.
The equipment stays with the property.
Radios and antennas are installed by MEPCC and remain MEPCC property. If you move, the next owner can take over.
Who can take part
Any resident within the coverage area. There’s no cost to participate. You’ll need somewhere to mount an antenna, and you’ll be asked to sign a short agreement covering the equipment.
Some properties get a base station; where a base station won’t work well, or for people who need to stay mobile, we issue handheld radios instead.