THE proposal that a National Broadband Network tower be built on Mount Beauty golf course has been quashed.
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Ericsson Australia withdrew the application to build the NBN tower at that location and will look at installing it on Bogong High Plains Road instead.
Ericsson Australia said on behalf of NBN Co that the tower could co-locate its antenna onto the existing SP Ausnet smart meter tower.
At the new proposed location, the NBN tower will provide improved internet coverage and minimise radio interference.
Alpine Shire Council planning and amenity manager Nick Vlahandreas said he was pleased with the news.
“Council has always suggested the SP Ausnet smart meter tower as the preferred location,” he said.
“However we were informed in the beginning there were problems with the radio frequency. NBN Co has been given access to a new frequency and that enables them to co-locate without any interference.”
Mr Vlahandreas believed the community would welcome the news.
“Submissions we had received in favour of the tower were all about NBN coming to Mount Beauty,” he said.
“The co-located infrastructure means NBN will still be coming to Mount Beauty without the addition of another tower.”
The possibility of the NBN tower being built on the Mount Beauty golf course was flagged in May.
Applications for a tower in Tawonga are still proceeding and Mr Vlahandreas said the council had received objections to that application as well as support.
“We will go though the usual process of negotiation between the applicant and objectors on that,” he said.
A planning forum will be held over the next three weeks for submitters, the applicant and Alpine Shire councillors.
Mr Vlahandreas said it was proposed the tower would be located on some farm land on the western side of the Tawonga township, between the high voltage power lines and the native forest.
It is about 400 metres from the closest residence.
In July, Mount Beauty and Tawonga residents initiated a petition against the proposed NBN towers on change.org and received more than 109 signatures.