THE City of Ballarat will consider planning applications for four communications towers early this year, taking the number regionally to 16.
Apart from Buninyong, where residents have vowed to fight it, communications towers are proposed for Mitchell Park, Cardigan and Learmonth.
In the Hepburn Shire, towers are proposed for Smeaton and Newlyn and in Moorabool at Gordon, Clarendon and Yendon.
A spokeperson for the Golden Plains Shire confirmed tower applications for Cape Clear, Dereel, Enfield, Haddon, Napoleons, Ross Creek and Smythes Creek.
Anti-tower campaigner at Buninyong Natalie Squire urged communities to make their own investigations and fight passionately tower applications.
“If NBN Co does not act in an honest, open and transparent manner as per the values statement on their website, this reflects directly on the government,” Ms Squire said.
“So far all I’ve seen is smoke and mirrors from NBN.
“They blindside communities by giving them this fanfare about being selected for the roll-out.
“But can you imagine what this country will look like with towers every five kilometres?
“We’re told our community values don’t matter but we will be able to download a movie in 20 minutes.
“It’s farcical.”
Meanwhile, another local politician has weighed into the issue.
Liberal Senator Michael Ronaldson has written to the City of Ballarat asking that all residents within a kilometre of the proposed Buninyong tower be provided with details of the planning permit application.
Senator Ronaldson requested the application be dealt with by the council as a whole and not a delegated committee.
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