Towering opposition: Woombye rallies against proposed 40m high facility

Len and Fridelle Stanyer, Joanne Kupiak and Janine Moore with submissions opposing the telecommunications tower proposed for Woombye.

Woombye residents have united in signing a submission opposing a telecommunications tower proposed for near the town centre.

The response follows a campaign by Woombye Community and Business Association (WCBA) to ensure the community was aware of the proposal and calling on them to submit signed submissions opposing the facility proposed for 1-9 Campbell Street. 

Some 330 submissions were handed in to Council's Development Services counter by last Friday’s deadline, with more submitted by email. 

The matter was first raised at a WCBA General Meeting, followed by a Saturday information street stall and a Special Meeting last Tuesday. In the three hours at the Saturday stall 142 submissions were signed, 55 percent by township residents, the remainder from the surrounding district and outside visitors. In the following six days a further 188 submissions were signed, 85 percent were township residents. 

WCBA Vice President Grant Palethorpe said the WCBA set out to keep the issue local. “These types of applications are very topical and easy to get radio and TV media to sensationalise the story,” he said. “Aside from one story in an earlier edition of the Sunshine Valley Gazette the WCBA did not seek widespread media coverage. 

“Keeping it local rather than inflating numbers from a wide area was the aim. The submission focused on the impact on our local residents, as well as the effect on local businesses and sporting clubs.”

The submission said the telecommunications tower would be in conflict with the strategic framework of Sunshine Coast Council’s planning scheme which is intended to ensure only appropriate development occurs. 

Mr Palethorpe said the 40 metre high tower would  unduly impact on the amenity and landscape values of the area.

The submission objects on several grounds including visual amenity, heritage and safety, he said. 

Friday was the end of the notification period. Mr Palethorpe expected a decision from Council by mid to late January. 

“Council planning staff will now continue their assessment, and hopefully reach a decision to not support this approval.”

He said the community had provided strong grounds upon which Council should reject the proposal. The public notification period is an important stage in Council's assessment process. 

Submitters who lodged a “properly made” submission retain appeal rights against the final decision. “To collect 330 submissions in a seven day period is testament to how Woombye responded to a totally inappropriate location,” Mr Palethorpe said. 

The submission focused on planning merit and inconsistencies with the planning scheme.  “A 40m tower located immediately adjacent to town does not minimise the visual impact and amenity of a significant number of residents, especially those in Cary, Hill, Campbell Streets & Paynter Park Drive,” the submission says.

The submission says Telecommunications Facility Code AO1 required a separation distance of 400m from a telecommunications tower. Whereas 100 residential dwellings were within 400m of the proposed site.  Of those, 50 were within 300m and the closest was only 80m from the tower.

“This application conflicts with multiple aspects of the planning scheme. The planning scheme is the mechanism that communities place trust in to ensure development is appropriate.”