An application for a telecommunication pole in the green wedge zone in Keilor has been knocked back by Brimbank council.
Optus had submitted an application to build the telecommunications pole at 110 Milburn Road which would have a maximum height of 28.41 metres.
The site had been chosen because there is an identified need to improve the mobile communications coverage provided by Indara and Optus to the local community, which comprises the residential properties within Keilor, nearby commercial and industrial properties, and commuters along the Calder Freeway
Council officers recommended granting a permit for the pole but the majority of councillors instead decided to vote against issuing a permit.
Mayor Thuy Dung, and councillors Maria Kerr and Katherine Nikolic supported the officers original recommendation.
Councillor Virginia Tachos said while there is a need to provide telecommunications coverage provision by Optus, there had to be a balance with residents concerns.
The council said Milburn Road displays a rural character being both unsealed and absent of kerbs and footpaths.
The site is currently being leased for agricultural purposes with a large farm building located central to the site’s eastern frontage.
“I have to also balance this with the concerns of our community members, some who are agricultural producers, and have expressed their concerns,” said councillor Tachos.
“If I can summarise the objections; the suitability of a tower in a green wedge zone, the visible and visual dominance, the destruction of the farm agricultural aesthetic, Keilor country town character was raised, radiotian, electronic field omissions, impacting health and crops, flight path concerns.”
Cr Tachos mentioned the impact that electronic field omissions can have on bees and that the project has the potential to have a negative impact on Keilor Garden Markets.
Councillor Duyen Anh Pham said the location wasn’t consistent with this infrastructure and it should be in a commercial or industrial zone.
