CORANGAMITE Shire Council is being encouraged to vote against a proposed 36-metre mobile phone tower on the Great Ocean Road.
A report which will be presented to council tomorrow night recommends it rejects the proposed tower, which is about one-kilometre from Port Campbell.
The report notes the site, which covers about 50 hectares, is on the north side of the Great Ocean Road and has farming sheds and a dam.
The land is zoned within a rural conservation zone and the planning application received six objections.
The objectors raised concerns with the tower impacting on the heritage values of the Great Ocean Road, that telecommunication facilities should be located as far away from residential areas as possible and claimed the proposal failed to meet the Victorian Telecommunications Code of Practice.
The report, written by council’s manager of planning and building services Ray McInerny, notes that the value of the Great Ocean Road as a tourist destination and the importance of preserving coastal character are considered of greater value than the provision of telecommunications services in the area.
The council will also be asked to rethink controversial plans to redevelop the Terang streetscape.
According to the report, initial estimates put the project at $2.5 million but recent investigations suggest it will cost $3.9 million.
“An increase of this magnitude will put unrealistic budget pressures on council over the life of the project,” the report states.
“It is proposed to amend the concept plans and redesign high cost items.”
The report notes that keeping the highway running lanes as they are will mean retaining parallel parking and if approved, the project would cost between $2 million and $2.5 million over several years.
Council meets in Camperdown tomorrow from 7pm.
