RESIDENTS of the peaceful and sleepy coastal town of Somers are upset they were given less than two weeks to have their say on a 35-metre telecommunications tower planned for green wedge land in view of homes. Submissions were due on Monday (13 February).
Under federal law, contractors are within their rights to approach private landholders to host phone towers on their land, under the mandate of improving telecommunications across regional and rural areas.
But that’s where the residents around the Sandy Point Road site don’t see eye-to-eye with the contractor, arguing that there has not been “proper and orderly planning”, the infrastructure won’t meet community needs, and it will have a physical and “visual impact” on Somers village and its surrounds.
One of the residents – who does not want to be named – says she and neighbours were given 12 days’ notice to make submissions to a proposal for a telecommunications tower that she says will be in view of homes and the Western Port Bay trail and would substantially change the rural aspect and green vistas of the village.
Worse than that was that the information provided by the contractor showed the tower would have an estimated radius of “only” 1.3 kilometres, and potentially fail to reach most Somers properties, she said.
“So we are frustrated that not only were we not consulted about this large structure – surely for something so intrusive there should be a community consultation period – but it won’t even have much impact in these areas if it is only a small radius in an area of hobby farms, and certainly won’t meet to needs of the wider community.”
The planning application has been submitted by Waveconn, which specialises in developing telecommunication hardware and then renting it to multiple carriers. The company is sourcing lease sites in locations around the peninsula, and had approached several landholders around Somers.
In its applications, Waveconn states that there will be a need for the tower and improved communications service as the area grows.
“But given that this area is green wedge and can’t be sub-divided, the argument makes no sense,” the resident said.
Objections to mobile phone tower applications are becoming commonplace for contractors and councils across the country, as governments work with mobile operators and contractors to improve services under blackspot programs.
Waveconn – formerly known as Stilmark – has previously told The News it was committed to improving access to critical mobile services through its “collaborative approach” of working with residents, the council and the mobile phone carriers.
According to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, people who need more time to prepare a submission can request it by emailing and providing reasons why they cannot submit one within the timeframe.
Cr David Gill said residents did have a voice in such planning decisions, and that mobile phone tower applications were considered carefully in regards to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the peninsula’s planning scheme.
First published in the Western Port News – 15 February 2023
