Three mobile towers planned for Armstrong Creek

Poor reception in the region’s southern suburbs has been cited as reason for multiple applications to build mobile towers near Armstrong Creek. Take the poll.

Mobile phone towers are proposed at Baenschs Lane, Armstrong Creek; Carter Road, Armstrong Creek; and 167-201 Lower Duneed Road, Armstrong Creek.ê

A proposal to build a third mobile tower in Armstrong Creek has been lodged with the City of Greater Geelong.

The latest proposal is to build a $200,000, 30m tower at 15 Baenschs Lane off Barwon Heads Rd.

“In terms of the existing situation, the coverage in the area is generally poor and there are no

existing mobile phone base stations within 4.5 kilometres of the proposed location – although

a recently approved Optus facility at 145-153 Harriott Road, Charlemont, approximately 3.6

kilometres to the north will soon be in service,” planning documents read.

“(Mobile infrastructure provider) Stilmark is proposing the (Baenschs Lane) facility to cater for a projected future need by the carriers in this area, which forms part of a larger strategic program across Victoria.

“It is critical to note that as Stilmark is an infrastructure owner and provider it will

not build the structure until a carrier elects to locate on it – that is, the structure will not be

speculatively built in the hope it will be collocated on.

“Stilmark is confident that there will be a future demand for the proposed structure given the extensive urban development in the locality, and seeks an approval on that basis.

“Once the structure is in place, it will also be suitable and available for collocation by a second or potentially third carrier.

“Telstra and Optus each have a proposal for a facility within 3 kilometres of the subject (Baenschs Lane) land.

“The proposed Telstra facility is located at 74-92 Carter Road, Armstrong Creek. Assuming this facility proceeds and is built, it is located 2.5 3 kilometres from the subject proposal and as such is too far away to provide an alternate solution.

“Similarly, the proposed Optus facility is located 167-201 Lower Duneed Road, Armstrong

Creek.

“Assuming this facility proceeds and is built, it is located even further from the subject proposal at a distance of 2.9 kilometres. As such, it also does not provide an alternate solution.”

The plans for the Optus mobile tower went to council in February.

According to the planning application for that tower it would significantly boost reception for those living off Warralily Blvd.

“Optus has identified issues with mobile service in the Armstrong Creek area and are seeking to improve local coverage and network capacity,” the planning application reads.

In 2021, more than 400 people signed a petition calling for better mobile phone service at Armstrong Creek, the Warralily estate and Mt Duneed.

The population of Armstrong Creek was estimated at 11,220 people in 2021. It is expected to increase to 23,000 by 2030, according to demographic website .idcommunity.

Originally published as Three mobile towers planned for Armstrong Creek