The Indi electorate was one of the major winners in round one with 30 towers funded, but more than 40 locations still need upgrading.

Indi MP Cathy McGowan has submitted four priority spots to the government including areas in the Mitta and King valleys and Kancoona with the latter overlooked in round one.

Remote areas face the prospect of waiting years for improved mobile phone reception if they miss out in round two.

Indigo Shire mayor James Trenery said his council was “lobbying hard” for towers to improve coverage on notorious blackspots on the Beechworth-Wodonga Road and the Indigo Valley which encountered bushfires last December.

“We’ve got a cash contribution ($10,000) towards them already in our budget,” he said.

“Councils shouldn’t be putting infrastructure in for Telstra, but it is the situation we are in.

“The Beechworth-Wodonga Road is getting busier and busier and we need to get rid of those blackspots.”

Towong Shire reluctantly contributed $40,000 to boost the chances of four towers at Granya, Cudgewa, Bethanga and Dartmouth being funded in round one.

Ms McGowan, who lives in the Indigo Valley, said she was disappointed there was no further funding for the blackspot program.

“Gosh, what are we going to do without that?” she said.

“It becomes an election issue.

“I'll be taking that to the election and I'll be calling on the Nationals candidate and other candidates for their positions.”

Ms McGowan worked with the Indi Telecommunications Action Group with representatives from each council, to select the priority locations based on people’s safety in emergencies and community support.

Eight locations in the neighbouring Farrer electorate including Savernake on the Riverina Highway were successful in round one.

Farrer MP Sussan Ley said: “The rounds are what the rounds are.”