Telstra has scrapped a planned telecommunications tower at Tower Hill after a group of concerned residents took the issue to the state’s top planning body.
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Moyne Shire approved the 55-metre tower in March, but the group said in May it would appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Telstra area general manager Steve Tinker said following a review of its plans, the telecommunications giant has decided not to proceed with the project.
In a statement to The Standard, Mr Tinker indicated no alternative plan would be pursued for new infrastructure.
“At this stage, we won’t be exploring other potential locations for new infrastructure,” Mr Tinker said.
“The proposal at Tower Hill was the only suitable location to retain coverage and improve service reliability.
“We will continue to pursue what options we have available to us to improve coverage in the Moyne Shire.”
The planned tower would have been situated just to the east of the Tower Hill State Game Reserve. The new tower would have stood 190 metres north of the existing 60-metre Broadcast Australia telecommunications tower.
Moyne Shire councillor Colin Ryan said he was shocked by the news.
“I’m very disappointed for the whole region,” Cr Ryan said.
“We are going to miss out on necessary infrastructure the community really needs.
“It is modern technology we will be missing out on, we will be left out of the loop.”
Member of the concerned residents group Peter Swainger was restrained in his response to the news.
“Obviously we are pretty happy but the one disappointing thing is it still isn’t cut and dried as far as what might happen in the future,” Mr Swainger said.
“Whatever Telstra does next I hope it is more consultative with the community.”
Mr Swainger thanked Western Victoria upper house MP James Purcell for his work in helping the group lobby for the tower not to go ahead.
“We really appreciate what James did for us,” he said.