Proposal to improve Peninsula coverage

PLANS to erect an Optus tower along the Bellarine Peninsula have been lodged following increased customer complaints.

A planning application has been lodged with the City of Greater Geelong which proposes a 36.5-metre tall tower in Rajah Court, Portarlington.

The $200,000 project will be located at the edge of Portarlington’s township “tucked into the industrial area among several warehouse styled buildings”.

Optus is proposing the new tower under its commitment to deliver accelerated mobile telephone services across regional Victoria including the Bellarine Peninsula.

“This facility is intended to provide enhanced mobile phone services, improved capacity and call quality to the local area,” the application said.

The proposed project will include installation of one 35-metre monopole, six panel antennas and one microwave dish providing improved Optus 3G, 4G and 5G services to the community, businesses, emergency services and visitors.

Portarlington locals have long criticised the mobile phone coverage with many taking to the community Facebook page to discuss the poor coverage.

“Optus has always been bad here,” one said.

“I have Optus. No reception on main street, pub, bowling club,” another user said.

Despite growing pressure placed on existing telecommunication towers, previous proposals have been rejected in the area.

In 2019 an application lodged for a Optus mobile phone tower opposite the Portarlington Primary School was met with fierce community objection due to radiation concerns.

The new Rajah Court location has been chosen ahead of nine alternative sites that failed to meet the radio frequency objectives and commercial agreements.

Planning documents showed the projected electromagnetic (EME) energy levels are anticipated be at an “acceptable level” with calls for health concerns to be “disregarded”.

“Based on current research there are no established health effects that can be attributed to the low radio frequency EME exposure from mobile phone base station antennas,” the application read.

“It is not expected to have an adverse impact on the environment during construction and operation of the facility.”

The public notification period will close on April 8 and full details can be found at geelongaustralia.com.au/advertisedplanning.