45m ‘eyesore’ to dominate Brian’s view

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 23 Jan 09

Optus crane shows height of phone tower

Written by STEVEN BURKE.

RESIDENTS of Usshers Drive yesterday had a glimpse of what may be awaiting them if Optus builds a 45 metre telecommunications tower on land adjacent to their street.

The Rural City of Wangaratta approved a planning application at itsOctober council meeting, allowing for the construction of the tower ona Cambridge Drive property.

But the positioning of the tower will see it dominate the skyline of Usshers Drive resident Brian Kitson’s property.

Optus yesterday hired a crane to illustrate the height of the tower, and to gather evidence for an upcoming Victorian Civil andAdministrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing

Mr Kitson and fellow neighbors, Alistair Male and Graham Whitehead, have lodged the appeal against the approval with VCAT, with the hearing to be held in Wangaratta on March 12.

A property valuer by trade, Mr Male said he was confident the objectors had some strong arguments.

"We felt that council’s handling of the application and advertising of the application was flawed in respect to how it identified the site," he said.

"The application noted the address as Phillipson Street when it’s actually in Cambridge Drive."

Mr Male said he would also refer to similar case history VCAT hearings.

But the main aim of the appeal is to ensure Mr Kitson is able to keep enjoying the lifestyle offered on his property.

"Their (Optus’) argument is whether I can see it from my house," Mr Kitson said.

"But I hardly spend any time in my house.

"I’m always out here and as soon as I come over my bridge, that’s what I’ll be confronted with."

The majority of Usshers Drive residents are supporting Mr Kitson in his fight and as Mr Male explained, other residents will be impacted on by the tower.

"It will be an eyesore from Edwards Street, an eyesore from the golf course and an eyesore every time you drive up Usshers Drive," he said.