AN Albury amateur radio operator for almost 60 years has agreed to a string of compromises about his latest mast and antennas to appease the concerns of neighbours.
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Graeme Scott lodged a development application with Albury Council late last year to erect a new mast at his Edmondson Street home after its predecessor sparked complaints from neighbours to the east of his property.
The clincher for the council’s planning and development committee this week to approve the development application was a range of conditions including restrictions on operating hours and the mast being centrally located on Mr Scott’s property.
The replacement retractable tower can’t be extended to its maximum height of eight metres during daylight hours.
It will be fitted with “yagi” antennas, consisting of three aluminium shafts with lengths ranging from six to 7.9 metres.
Mr Scott’s original mast was erected nearly 30 years ago without development approval.
He said the complaints started when he rotated the former mast during use, and associated antennas extended to hang over neighbouring properties.
“It has been a battle to get approval through,” Mr Scott said.
“But finally we’ve got it.”
Mr Scott became a radio ham in the late 1950s when he lived in Melbourne, and since moving to Albury his hobby has allowed him to make contact with people in more than 100 countries.
His bid to erect a new mast gained support from the Albury-Wodonga Amateur Radio Club.
Mr Scott’s original development application was submitted as a non-retractable mast, which sparked one complaint.
A modified development application for a retractable mast attracted more complaints.
Mr Scott, 74, was subsequently told council staff didn’t support the application.
But the planning and committee development approved the application 6-2 this week, subject to conditions tabled at the meeting.
The committee decision will be endorsed by the council at its next meeting later this month.
