A planning body has allowed a 40-metre NBN pole to be built in Woodend after objectors raised fears it would reduce the character of an area overlooking Mount Macedon.
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NBN Co will be able to build the telecommunications facility at 19 Shannon Court following the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruling.
Objectors had argued the pole would impact the neighbourhood's character, conservation values and the skyline.
They pointed to the area's peaceful, rural character, undulating topography and extensive tree canopy.
VCAT found that the facility would appear in some residents' views of Mount Macedon, especially from one property.
However, the tribunal found that efforts had been taken to locate the pole in the most heavily vegetated part of the site and to keep it to the lowest height needed.
The tower's impact needed to be balanced with the benefits an NBN tower could bring to the area, VCAT found.
The tribunal was not able to consider objectors' fears a bushfire could cause broadband to fail, leaving residents without phone or internet contact.
The tower is built in in a bushfire management overlay zone but VCAT found there were no rules in the planning scheme requiring a planning permit for a telecommunication facility.
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
