Prospect Council’s assessment panel rejects Optus’ plans for a 5G tower in paint shop car park

A snub of Optus’ controversial plans for a 30m communications tower in Prospect has been described as a win for “people power” by a political candidate.

The panel ruled Optus did not provide enough information about rejected sites. Picture: Prospect Council.

The rejection of Optus’ controversial plans for a near 30m communications tower in Prospect has been described as a win for “people power” by a political candidate.

However, the telco may appeal the decision in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.

The $200,000 proposal was initially deferred by the panel last month to allow Optus to provide further information regarding alternative sites and why those options had been previously ruled out.

The company wanted to place the 28.3m 5G tower in the car park of Crowies Paints at 84 Main North Road.

A number of local residents, including candidate for Adelaide Lucy Hood and the SA Housing Authority had opposed the application for the monopole.

In documents tabled with the panel, Optus argued alternate sites had been dismissed because there was no reasonable prospect of anticipated success.

“The location of the development in the southwestern side of the car park has been determined the most suitable location in relation the site’s constraints,” it read.

However, on Tuesday night, the panel ruled against the application, stating “insufficient information” had been provided to show the “ appropriate consideration of alternative sites which may have reduced impacts to residential areas”.

The panel heard an unsolicited offer was put to Optus to place the tower at 49 Main North Road, Menindie Gardens, to be mounted on or behind an existing billboard, which would have minimised impacts on residential properties.

The tower was proposed for the car park of a paint shop. Picture: Prospect Council.

However, on behalf of Optus, consultant SAQ said it was “too far south” to be a suitable replacement location and 350m from the existing facility at the former Radio Rentals building.

SAQ argued there are no “obviously better locations” following “diligent investigations”.

“There are no more suitable zones in this area… a sufficient amount of investigation into alternate locations has been undertaken and no obviously better location could be identified,” it stated.

It also argued the need to replace the existing facility is becoming “increasingly critical” and there were was not time for “years of acquisition of some unknown number of low-impact sites that would render large areas of suburbia without coverage for an indeterminate period of time”.

It also stated the monopole’s visual impact would be “fairly localised”.

“In this particular instance borne by only a small number of properties, with the impacts diminishing quickly with distance, particularly to the west,” it found.

However, Ms Hood said the panel’s decision was a “win for people power and our local community”.

“But we know the fight isn’t over,” Ms Hood said.

“Together, we’ll continue to fight for our local streets.

“Streets that should be renowned for their character homes and leafy boulevards — not twin phone towers.”

Local resident, David Lloyd, said the residents were “quietly shocked and surprised” by the panel’s decision.

“A small victory, at least for now, for the residents,” Mr Lloyd said.

An Optus spokeswoman said the decision was disappointing as its existing site is soon to be decommissioned.

“Optus aims to provide competition and choice for consumers, while also improving coverage and customer experience,” the spokeswoman said.