A community call has been answered in Macedon Ranges Council’s rejection of a proposed phone tower at the entrance to Woodend.
The plan would have seen a 33-metre Optus tower built at the town’s train station near the Christian Street/Corinella Road intersection.
Councillor Jennifer Anderson gained unanimous support for her motion to refuse the tower based on visual and environmental impact, and a “significant” community petition.
“On balance, for me, the amenity issues, the landscape issues and the unsightliness of this tower outweighs that possible benefit of connectivity,” she said.
The application had formed part of the state government’s Regional Rail Connectivity Project to improve coverage for train users and met council officer approval.
However, Cr Mandi Mees felt site options “had not been properly explored” and considered there was still time for discussions.
“It’s ridiculous that it’s on the doorstop of the village and we really need to try harder to exhaust all options,” Cr Mees said.
A community petition calling for the tower’s relocation was tabled in July and had the support of 275 signatories.
One of those to sign was Woodender Cassandra Simmons who said residents were “thrilled with the outcome and pleased the council had stood behind them”.
“We have to keep up with the times and improve our telecommunications but this just wasn’t the right location,” she said.
Ms Simmons held hope that the applicant would work with the community to find a suitable solution.
