139 Bungower Road Somerville VIC 3912

Tower will be an eyesore in the view from properties higher along Bungower Rd and on the ridge looking towards Western Port Bay thereby devaluing them.
Removal of any native vegetation is also not acceptable for same reason. It would not be allowed along any esplanades in front of properties overlooking ocean in Mornington, Mt Martha, Mt Eliza.
Since the introduction of NBN cabling to this part of Somerville there should be no need of a tower for local resident internet or communication.

I can speak on behalf of around half the population of Somerville, as I have conducted surveys which revealed the appalling level of mobile phone coverage in the eastern half of Somerville.

I fully support the proposed mobile phone tower development as part of the creation of a network to provide a basic level of mobile phone coverage in Somerville.

The availability of mobile phone coverage has emerged as a basic human right. Somerville residents on the east side of the Jones Rd Escarpment have poor to zero coverage. I have documented evidence of people being unable to call for an ambulance, in one case due to serious injuries after a fall, and a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction in another. Many elderly residents in the local retirement village are unable to contact emergency services or their relatives.

Many residents to the east of the Jones Rd escarpment have poor to zero mobile coverage, and cannot reliably conduct their employment or personal business by mobile phone. Working from home is often not an option for those affected.

The installation of the NBN system has not resolved the poor mobile coverage, and fails whenever there is an electricity outage. It is therefore impossible to call for help during storm conditions, when the power has failed and there is physical damage to the urban environment (powerlines down, trees fallen onto houses, etc).

I strongly urge Council not to be influenced by objectors who already have mobile phone coverage. Further, I urge Council not to be influenced by objections along the lines of "vegetation will be removed" or "it will spoil the view". These self-centred objections are absolutely disgusting to those of us who have no mobile coverage, and live in constant fear of being unable to call for help when we need it. Thank you.

Please keep me informed of progress of this important and vital project.

I can speak on behalf of around half the population of Somerville, as I have conducted surveys which revealed the appalling level of mobile phone coverage in the eastern half of Somerville.

I fully support the proposed mobile phone tower development as part of the creation of a basic level of mobile phone coverage in Somerville.

The availability of mobile phone coverage has emerged as a basic human right. Somerville residents on the east side of the Jones Rd Escarpment have poor to zero coverage. I have documented evidence of people being unable to call for an ambulance, in one case due to serious injuries after a fall, and a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction in another. Elderly residents in the local retirement village are unable to contact emergency services or their relatives.

Many residents to the east of the Jones Rd escarpment have poor to zero mobile coverage, and cannot reliably conduct their employment or personal business by mobile phone. Working from home is not an option for those affected.

The installation of the NBN system has not resolved the poor mobile coverage, and fails whenever there is an electricity outage. It is therefore impossible to call for help during storm conditions, when the power has failed and there is physical damage to the urban environment (powerlines down, trees fallen onto houses, etc).

I strongly urge Council not to be influenced by objectors who already have mobile phone coverage. Further, I urge Council not to be influenced by objections along the lines of "vegetation will be removed" or "it will spoil the view". These self-centred objections are absolutely disgusting to those of us who have no mobile coverage, and live in constant fear of being unable to call for help when we need it. Thank you.

As a resident of Somerville for more than 35 years, I find it absolutely incredible that we residents east of Jones Road have not had an adequate, reliable mobile phone service provided to them before now! The installation of the NBN has done nothing to improve the situation. In fact, a lot of the time, the internet in our home is also sketchy, at best!

Our health and safety have been put at risk when we are unable to make, or receive calls or messages. This must surely be a denial of basic human rights?

Nearly every time I make or receive mobile communication, I am forced to walk around until I can get service, sometimes even having to leave my home in order to stay connected! We ARE NOT a Third World country without adequate resources, and yet we here in Somerville have been treated as if our needs don’t exist.

I can only presume that those who complain about “losing” their view, or having a few trees removed, don’t live on the eastern side of town and that they enjoy adequate mobile coverage, because they would not object to the project going ahead if they were disadvantaged as we are.

It is VITAL that planning approval be given, and that the tower be built immediately.