Visionstream has lodged a development application with the Bega Valley Shire Council, on behalf of Telstra, to install a 20-metre tall mobile telecommunications tower on the corner of Reservoir and Togo St. The site is owned by BSVC and includes the town’s water tower.

According to the DA paperwork, existing telecommunications equipment attached to the water tower would be removed and replaced with a 20-metre tall monopole, with six panel antennas at the top. An existing Telstra equipment shelter would house electrical equipment associated with the facility.

The report says council had requested the removal of existing equipment due to “structural concerns” of its impact on the water tower. Installing a monopole with panel antennas would also allow Telstra to implement its latest 4GX network services.

Visionstream said the site was assessed as the most suitable from a range of options considered, based on accessibility and for minimal impact on the area’s amenity. However it acknowledged the location would mean the 20-metre tall pole would be located only 60 metres from two residential homes.

The nearest neighbour, Sandra Bunce, said the proposal was for a “monstrosity” and would knock $70,000 of the value of her home. She also had concerns over a marked increase in radiation levels coming from the upgraded equipment.

“Who wants to look at that, or put up with it so close to their home,” Ms Bunce said.

“At least the water tower I can screen out with foliage, nothing is going to block this monstrosity.

“I don’t want to wake up to that every morning.”

Ms Bunce has lived in Candelo for 25 years. She said she had had advice from a real estate agent indicating a likely $70,000 hit to the value of her home should a Telstra tower be erected next door.

“My kids want to grow up here in Candelo. That’s a lot of money [to lose, but] I don’t want to stay here if it gets built. And no-one will want to buy it with a tower there,” she said.

Ms Bunce pointed out the recently installed NBN tower across the river, which also had its objectors prior to erection.

“Why don’t they keep the two monstrosities together,” she said.

Neighbours were first notified about the DA on July 13 with submissions due by July 27. Ms Bunce said she did not receive her letter until July 20 and other people she spoke to did not receive letters at all. She said council had agreed to a further notification letter and deadline extension.

Submissions now close this Friday, August 17.