By BRIDGET SCOTT
A 30-METRE high telecommunications tower proposed for Cranbourne South was rejected at a council planning meeting on Tuesday night following a number of objections by residents.
Councillor Geoff Ablett said he as well as a number of his colleagues commended council officers’ advice to reject the planning permit.
The proposed tower by Vodaphone would have been located near Keipha Road, Cranbourne South, only about 500 metres from the local primary school and general store.
Councillor Ablett said it “would’ve looked an absolute eye-sore.”
“There were around 20 reasons behind why people didn’t want it,” he said.
“It didn’t fit the urban landscape and would have ruined the look of what we are trying to do.”
The councillor, who said he spoke to around 20 residents who did not want it, also added that it would have been “unsightly in a beautiful estate.”
“I didn’t speak to one person who wanted it,” he said.
“The visual impact would have been detrimental.”
The proposed location for the tower is also listed as a Green Wedge Zone and Cr Ablett said this created further conflict in terms of appropriateness.
“It would detract from the area,” he said.
Councillor Ablett said among the reasons people gave for rejecting the tower were potential health impacts on local families and students, noise from the tower, lack of perceived needs and the semi-rural nature of the area.
