By Charlene Macaulay
Seven new telecommunication towers may pop up across Wyndham after the council tentatively approved leases for Vodafone and Optus.
The council wants the community to have its say on the proposed towers along Clearwood Drive, Truganina; Howqua Way, Manor Lakes; McGrath Road, Werribee; Jamieson Way, Point Cook; Morris Road, Hoppers Crossing; Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook; and Station Street, Little River.
The towers will be on council-owned open spaces, sports field or community centres and will fill mobile coverage gaps.
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has received 120 customer reports of poor data speeds and drop-outs in Point Cook.
Councillor Kim McAliney said she was “extremely concerned” by the frequent mobile network blackouts, which can create safety concerns, especially in emergency situations.
Councillor Henry Barlow referenced the 2016 thunderstorm asthma event, where 20-year-old Hope Carnevali died at a Hoppers Crossing property after emergency services were swamped with calls for help.
“A lot of people were on the network and the network just shut people out,” he said.
A council report stated that if the council does not approve the leases the telecommunication providers could invoke the Telecommunications Act 1997, and access may be granted without council consent.
