Seeing red over silver NBN tower

THE debate about Bellbrae’s National Broadband Network (NBN) tower continues, with a resident of a neighbouring property saying the silver tower is supposed to be painted green.

The fixed wireless tower is lying in sections at 1435 Anglesea Road, and, once built, is expected to begin providing NBN services to the surrounding area in the second half of this year.

Most of the other fixed wireless towers NBN Co has constructed across Australia have been painted silver, although some have been green.

Terry Nairn, who owns the property next door to where the tower will be built, said he was told during the planning process that Bellbrae’s tower would be green.

“We were under the understanding that (it being green) was going to happen – that’s (now) going to be one hell of an eyesore.

“All these new people over here are going to see is a bloody big tower in front of them.

“It’s not environmentally friendly at all.”

There have been several public and private meetings since 2014 to discuss issues related to the tower, including 23 objections to the tower’s potential visual impact during the planning process run by the Surf Coast Shire.

NBN Co’s planning report submitted to the shire stated the tower’s visual impact would be minimised because the tower was “well removed from surrounding roads and surrounding rural dwellings”.

“The site selection has resulted in a rural property that has an ample degree of separation from surrounding dwellings, while at the same time being close enough to achieve the required quality of service.

“Furthermore, some nearby tree cover closely located to the proposed site will help minimise visibility of the lower portion of the facility.”

None of the planning documents submitted by NBN Co mention the tower being green.

Mr Nairn said it was unlikely NBN Co would paint the tower green before it was built.

“I would say no; I’d say it’s done and dusted sitting there right now.”

He said his requests for assistance to local politicians including Surf Coast Shire mayor David Bell (who lives nearby) and Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson had gone unanswered.

NBN Co Local spokesperson Kasey Ellison said NBN Co carefully considered the visual amenity associated with each fixed wireless facility it constructed across the country, “which included the use of colours and finishes that were aimed at blending the facilities into the environment”.

“In the case of the Bellbrae tower, the galvanised finish is considered to be the most sympathetic with the amenity of the area.”

Ms Henderson, who was active in the lobbying to improve Bellbrae’s internet coverage as well as the subsequent debate about where the fixed wireless tower should be built, had not responded to questions from the Surf Coast Times by the time this story was published.