Telstra proposes new 40m Minnipa phone tower to meet network needs
New telecommunications infrastructure in a remote SA town has been proposed to meet phone network coverage needs after a company was asked to vacate a former silo site.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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A communications giant is proposing to install a new phone tower after being given the boot from their existing rural site.
Telstra have applied for the installation of the tower to be constructed at Minnipa, just off the Eyre Highway, after being asked to vacate their current location by agriculture powerhouse Viterra.
The new facility was proposed after Telstra were told by Viterra to remove their existing mobile antennas, which are currently mounted onto one of their grain silos.
Viterra made the request after deciding not to renew their lease on the property.
The new tower is designed to meet mobile coverage needs and network capacity for the Minnipa township and surrounding commercial and residential areas.
Telstra SA regional general manager Michael Patterson said if approved the site could be on air by the end of the year.
“We have co-located on this site for many years but our lease with Viterra is coming to an end and as a result, a replacement facility is needed,” Mr Patterson said.
“We want to make sure our new site matches or improves our current level of coverage and while we investigated some other options, it was decided that this would be best achieved by constructing a new site.
“We continue to work closely with Viterra to ensure the existing services remains until the new site is built, ensuring minimal disruptions to local residents while the changeover occurs.”
The proposed installation site was formerly host to a caravan park and includes several existing buildings and sheds.
An Optus facility on the edge of Minnipa was initially considered but deemed unsuitable by Telstra due to differences in network configuration and coverage objectives.
Application documents for the proposal deemed the Optus facility “too far east to be effective.”
Minnipa’s existing Telstra Exchange site, which features a small equipment shelter and no tall structures or masts, was also deemed unsuitable due to space restrictions and its central location within the town.
“A new monopole structure in this location would result in high visual impacts to immediately abutting residences,” the proposal read.
“There are no other existing facilities in the nearby area on which the proposed facility could be located nor are there any sufficiently tall buildings or structures to be considered.
“As such, it has been determined that a new structure is required to be constructed.”
The proposed replacement facility is positioned in proximity to the existing facility on the Viterra silos and setback from “sensitive and residential uses.”
The nearest residential properties are approximately 220m northeast, 230m to the northwest and 330m south of the proposed site.
Consideration for the application closes February 7.
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