While the council refusal itself is going to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal next month, this amendment would see the 35 metre tower moved 60 centimetres on the Sebastopol site. 

The project was rejected by councillors after council officers recommended it be given the go-ahead. 

Councillors said the project was “inconsistent with the objectives set out in the Code of Practice for Telecommunications Facilities in Victoria 2004” and “does not meet the objective and strategies of the Ballarat Planning Scheme under Clause 21.05 Built Form and Amenity. 

Community opposition included 11 objectors to the proposal in June, including a petition with 70 signatures. 

Telstra area manager Bill Mundy said the tower would make sure service in the area kept up with the growth in demand. 

“This new mobile base station will cater for expected future growth and technology in the coming months and years,” he said. 

The amendment does address that in a major way, only moving the tower out of the way of an existing gate.