Telstra tower slated for rural site near historic Whistlewood art gallery, Shoreham, under fire
Telstra wants to build new infrastructure in regional Victoria, but the owner of Shoreham’s historic Whistlewood art gallery says it shouldn’t come at the expense of her business or the environment.
South East
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The owner of a historic Shoreham art gallery says her business will be threatened by a planned Telstra tower.
Susan McCulloch said the proposed 31.3m tower at 109 Higgins La, Shoreham, was completely inappropriate for the rural environment.
She said the tower would sit on a “prominent ridge line” on Tucks Rd.
“It would compromise the tranquillity of this rural and historic road,” she said.
She said the tower would also impact greatly on the 1870s house that operates as the Whistlewood art gallery.
“It would dominate our eastern skyline and be visible from every gallery and living room,” she said.
Ms McCulloch feared the plan, if approved, would be a precedent for similar structures to be built on private land on the Peninsula’s green wedge.
“This outlook and environs are not just a ‘view’ but are integral to our purpose — to support, foster and display art of the land including Aboriginal, environmental and landscape art,” she said.
Telstra regional general manager Loretta Willaton said the firm was continually expanding and improving its network, which included building new infrastructure in regional Victoria.
She said the tower’s site had been “carefully chosen” as part of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
“We’ve worked closely with (Mornington Peninsula Shire) Council and we’ve consulted locals on the proposed location, (which will) improve coverage and bring high speed mobile access to locals around Shoreham,” she said.
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Mornington Peninsula planning and building executive manager David Bergin said the proposal was exempt from formal advertising and ability to appeal any decision to VCAT because it was driven by the State and Federal Government-funded Black Spot Program.
“But in order to ensure that surrounding land owners and occupiers are aware of this proposal, council informally notifies all land owner and occupiers within 1km of the site,” he said.
“Council are still reviewing the application, along with comments provided by surrounding land owners and occupiers, and are yet to form a final position.”