Koolewong mobile tower: Decision time for Central Coast Local Planning Panel

Commuters are screaming out for improved Wi-Fi between Gosford and Hornsby but a proposed mobile tower at Koolewong is not wanted by the locals. A decision will be made today.

A proposed mobile tower in Koolewong, aimed to improve commuter Wi-Fi, will destroy views and is out of character according to locals.

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It’s a sigh of relief for commuters with mobile towers going up to improve Wi-Fi between Gosford and Hornsby.

However, for many residents at Koolewong, the construction of one of the $250,000 Telstra towers is a nightmare.

The facility is proposed within the Rail Corp corridor on Brisbane Water Drive at Koolewong and includes a 25 metre monopole structure as well as footings, ground base and other infrastructure.

The location of the proposed tower.

“The aim of the proposal is to provide improved Telstra coverage to rail commuters and other users moving through the Koolewong area,” the DA report states.

The DA is coming before the Central Coast Local Planning Panel today after receiving more than 10 objections including a petition with more than 50 signatures.

The first public consultation period saw more objections which resulted in the relocation of the tower slightly north of the original position and height reduction 31.5m to 25m.

Residents in the vicinity of the proposed tower, many who live in Glenrock Parade, Havendale Close and Moruya Close, say the tower is inappropriate and out of character for the seaside town and not needed as there is already decent phone reception in Koolewong.

Artists impression of the proposed tower in Koolewong before the height was reduced.

Many state that their views across the water and over to Gosford will be impacted by the tall tower and there were concerns expressed about the levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic energy levels which will be omitted from the tower.

The proposed tower is one of 15 DAs received by Central Coast Council as part of the Federal Government’s promise to improve Wi-Fi for commuters.

Commuters have been waiting for many years for improved Wi-Fi and the developer says the proposed tower in Koolewong is in the public interest.

The tower is designed to improve Wi-Fi for commuters.

“The proposal is a piece of essential infrastructure aimed at providing enhanced network coverage for tens of thousands of train commuters travelling within the Central Coast area

each day,” the report states.

“The proposal is designed to the most maximum extent possible that achieves consistency with the desired future character of the area and result in the lowest visual impact achievable

to surrounding areas.”

The councils recommendation to the panel is to approve the tower