A COMPANY involved in an overhaul of telecommunications was so determined to get its plans over the line that it sent a representative to Dubbo for a crucial meeting.
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Town planner Courtney Lansdown from Aurecon (Australia) told Dubbo City Council the four towers they were about to vote on were all vital to the rollout of the National Broadband Network in the region.
The company, engaged by NBN Co, had adjusted its plans in response to the concerns of neighbours, she said.
Aurecon had been pleased to work with the council, but it had pushed the towers to the minimum height and the separate development applications (DA) for each were interdependent, she said.
"We moved all the proposals, we feel confident we've now done what was needed to ameliorate the plans," the town planner said.
"It's not just about speed and service . . . the NBN will transform life in Dubbo and benefit economic development, affording rural areas with the same opportunities as metropolitan cities."
The town planner presented the case to the council's December meeting, where development applications (DA) for four telecommunications facilities at Camp, Benolong and Wansey roads at Dubbo and Mogriguy Road at Brocklehurst were on the agenda.
Each facility would include a monopole antenna, ranging in height from 30 metres for the Benolong Road site to 40 metres for the Camp Road site, equipment shelters and fencing and take in an area of 60 square metres.
Two objections to the Benolong Road proposal were initially received before it was moved 10 metres, and after that no more submissions were received.
The proposed Brocklehurst facility was also moved when it drew five objections, but even then four more objections were lodged.
Council staff reported the visual impact and health considerations of the proposed developments were considered negligible and recommended their approval.
Councillors agreed, and in a later media release announcing the decision Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson noted the proponent had altered elements of each development application as a result of a consultation period.
"In addition to the public exhibition of the plans and supporting documents, feedback was actively sought from residents neighbouring the proposed development sites," he said.
"In regard to telecommunications, the potential benefits of the proposed developments will further assist in Dubbo having access to metropolitan-equivalent services.''
faye.wheeler@fairfaxmedia.com.au