A TELECOMMUNICATIONS tower has been approved on green wedge land in Stumpy Gully Road, Balnarring, by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Senior planner Alex Harrison, in a report to council’s Monday 15 July public meeting, said the design of the tower was intended to protect the amenity of the surrounding area with setbacks from residential properties.
The application, which was on public notice in late 2022 and received 21 objections and a 200-signature petition, was called in by Cr David Gill for a decision by the council.
Under state government laws passed in November 2022, councils have limited ability to knock back telecommunications towers, with new planning schemes in Victoria having to support emergency recovery, telecommunications, solar energy systems and community care accommodation.
An amendment to the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme also now makes applications (where applicable) for a telecommunications facility exempt from having to be advertised and reviewed.
Conditions for the construction of the tower include that all external finishes (including monopole) are muted in tone and non–reflective, and detailed on the development plans; noise levels must not exceed the noise limits determined in accordance with Environment Protection Authority; and soil disturbance during works must be minimised to prevent soil erosion.
First published in the Mornington News – 23 July 2024
