‘Ugly’ Newport mobile phone tower plan has locals dialling up the anger

Furious locals fear a proposed 5-storey mobile phone tower above two iconic Sydney beaches will become a blight on the beautiful landscape and wreck their ocean views.

The top section of the mobile phone and telecommunications tower at Collaroy Plateau. The Newport tower would be as high as 5-storey building. Picture: Manly Daily

A five-storey high mobile phone tower proposed for an escarpment overlooking two popular Sydney beaches has became the focus of community anger.

Locals say the facility will be ugly, too high and spoil bushland views towards Newport and Bilgola beaches as well become a danger to sensitive wildlife.

But the company — telecommunication infrastructure provider Service Stream — building the tower on Wollombi Rd at Newport, argues it is needed to fix poor local mobile phone coverage.

It will accommodate Optus and Vodafone antennae on land owned by Sydney Water.

The development application for the tower, and its associated equipment shelter near a reservoir tank next to Attunga Reserve, will be decided by the independent Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel, which meets on Wednesday.

An artist's impression of a proposed 16.5m-high mobile phone tower to be located on Sydney Water land on Wollombi Rd, Newport. Picture: Service Stream Pty Ltd

It went to the panel after Northern Beaches Council — which has recommended it go ahead — received 19 public submissions opposed to the structure.

But in a submission to the council, local Mark McKie argued that the tower would be higher than the existing tree line and “therefore be in direct sight, affecting the visual impact of the property”.

Laurel Graham submitted the tower was on the highest point on the escarpment, above the Bilgola Bends on Barrenjoey Rd, making it an “eyesore for all the residents in the properties that overlook it”.

The location (red marker) of a proposed 16.5m-high mobile phone tower to be located on an escarpment above Newport and Bilgola beaches. Picture: Google Maps

“It will be an ugly welcome as we drive into this pristine part of the northern beaches,” Mrs Graham stated. “We will look directly across at the tower, and it will completely destroy our view of this beautiful bushland.”

Robyn Steers believed the value of her home would be reduced because its would be close to a telecommunications tower.

James Grenenger said he believed it would make “the headland even more of an eyesore than it already is”.

“It will be an absolute blight on the landscape, towering above the already overly-prominent and ugly water tanks.”

The mobile phone tower would be erected located on Sydney Water land at the end of Wollombi Rd, Newport, near a reservoir tank. Picture: Service Stream Pty Ltd

Helen Thornton suggested the facility would have an adverse affect on the surrounding bush, which she submitted was home to “hundreds of unique native animal species such as fairy wrens, honeyeaters, tree frogs, sugar gliders, water dragons, skinks and owls”.

Lucy Encina said locals had chosen to in the area near the proposed tower because of the natural environment.

“If we wanted telephone towers we would live in the busier parts of the northern beaches.”

Steve Furzy wrote the only submission in support of the tower DA.

Images of a previous mobile phone tower located on Sydney Water land on Wollombi Rd, Newport. Picture: Service Stream Pty Ltd

“Delighted that my mobile coverage is finally going to be sorted out after years of having to stand outside to make and receive mobile calls,” he told the council.

In its assessment report to the panel, the council said the tower was to originally meant to be 18m high, but has been reduced to 16.5m and its turret made more “compact”.

The council also received advice from Service Stream that it was the only site that can “provide the required coverage to the target area.”

A turret on a tower similar to a proposed mobile phone tower to be located on Wollombi Rd, Newport. Picture: Service Stream Pty Ltd

“The assessment acknowledges that the proposed tower will be visible, as it needs to be to serve its purpose (as it relies on direct line of sight), and does present some character and visual and scenic impact issues.

“However, on balance, it is considered that the amended proposal has been designed to

minimise its impact, height and scale, while remaining functionally practical to provide effective telecommunications coverage to the nearby and surrounding residents and businesses.”

The panel is expected to release its DA decision next week.”