New unit in Clarinda features gigantic backyard power tower
Most of us dream of a pool in the backyard, but this new Clarinda home bizarrely comes with a massive 50m transmission tower. And authorities say there’s nothing wrong with it. SEE THE PICTURES
Inner South
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A new housing development in Melbourne’s southeast has been built around the base of a gigantic power tower.
The bizarre three-unit development at 138 Clarinda Rd, Clarinda, which has the base of a 50m high-voltage cable pylon partially in one of the backyards, was given the tick of approval by Kingston City Council.
Narvada and Suttianand Seebaluck, whose house backs directly onto the vacant units, told the Leader their future neighbour’s house looked “terrible” and worried children would be able to easily climb up the 275-kilovolt structure.
“It looks bad, and the tower is dangerous to live near. We can hear the buzzing whenever it’s windy or raining,” Ms Seebaluck said.
Kingston City Council said the builder “complied with all requirements” relating to the building permit which included fencing off the site around the tower so it could not be accessed by the public.
But an inspection by the Leader revealed the base to be unfenced and panels located at child’s reach.
Kingston City Council planning and development general manager Jonathan Guttmann said all safety requirements had been met and signed off by electrical company AusNet Services.
“Before this development was approved by Council, the proposal was signed off by the electric company operating the tower to ensure all safety requirements were met,” he said.
“Community input was also sought, and no objections were received.”
They would not reveal the name of the building group.
Salma Thani, who lives two doors down from the new development, said she hadn’t seen a house constructed so close to powerlines before.
“There are lots of houses around here near powerlines, but not that close,” she said.
“It’s obviously very dangerous. There’s no way you could stop kids from climbing up onto it.”
The Seebaluck family also complained about the third unit wall being built just centimetres from their back fence.
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“People came to do a drainage assessment last year but that was it … they never asked us about coming so close to our house.”
Ms Seebaluck said she would not let her three young children play in their backyard during works earlier this year as loose nails and bits of debris were thrown onto their lawn.
A Kingston City Council spokesman said council had organised for an AusNet Services representative to inspect the site.
AusNet Services has been contacted for comment.