Lake Macquarie councillors have reluctantly approved a controversial 25-metre telecommunications tower that borders suburban backyards and described it as a "difficult decision".
Multiple councillors said they agonised over the development application (DA) to build the telecommunications facility on Hunter Water-owned land at 76 Auklet Road in Mount Hutton.
Downer EDI Limited, on behalf of digital infrastructure company Indara Corporation, argues the tower is needed to boost mobile phone reception in a known black spot.
However, Mount Hutton residents are furious, and there were 13 submissions all opposed to the DA.
Earlier at a public forum before Lake Macquarie City Council's meeting on Monday, Mount Hutton resident Cassandra Portelli addressed councillors on behalf of her neighbours.
"Placing an imposing industrial structure only metres from my backyard places an unfair and heartbreaking shadow - literally and figuratively - over my investment," Ms Portelli said.
"Research confirms what any homebuyer knows instinctively: that buyers do pull back from homes situated near major telecommunications infrastructure.
"It's devastating to think that our family's hard-earned security could be eroded by a decision to place this structure potentially in the wrong location."
Labor East Ward councillor Stacey Radcliffe said it was "a really difficult decision to make" that she had wrestled with over the weekend.
"I've heard and I understand the impact this will have on residents near this tower," Cr Radcliffe said.
"I also understand the extremely limited mobile coverage we have in Mount Hutton, Windale and parts of Warners Bay.
"I have to vote in support of this, but I do so, not easily."
First-term Liberal East Ward councillor Matt Schultz said the importance of reliable mobile phone coverage ultimately decided his vote.
"I have swayed from no to yes," Cr Schultz said.
"I speak in support, but I do that having considered it over the weekend and hearing the public submissions tonight.
"I feel like it's one of my first hard decisions as one of the new councillors because there is a clear impact on the residents there."
North Ward Liberal councillor Jack Antcliff conceded the telecommunication facility would be "a shock" to nearby residents.
"Unfortunately for those close to one of these, these are the growing pains that come with our city," Cr Antcliff said.
The sole councillor opposed to the telecommunications facility was Independent deputy mayor Colin Grigg, who said towers were no longer needed due to advancements in satellite technology.
"I think the towers are going to fade into yesterday and the satellites will come into today," Cr Grigg said.
Cr Grigg also said the location was far from ideal.
"I think there are places we could use, and I think we should consider those away from residents," he said.
A representative of Downer EDI Limited, Kuda Dzino, told the public forum that four other sites were explored, but the 76 Auklet Road site next to a Hunter Water reservoir was the preferred option.
"While we appreciate that this is a residential area, we have followed the industry-recognised process, and we have taken measures with regard to, first of all, the siting of the proposal in that compound, adjacent to the reservoir, which is considered co-siting infrastructure," Mr Dzino said.
"We have also utilised the minimal possible height in order to deliver the required coverage, and we are also proposing a slimline solution and a slimline turret mount, as opposed to a lattice structure which results in less visual impact."
Under questioning from Labor mayor Adam Shultz, Downer regional manager Mitchell Flint said the telecommunications tower would be used by Optus initially, but it could service other providers in the future.
Councillors also unanimously endorsed the rezoning of farmland in Cooranbong for future housing.
The two-hectare site at 51 Alton Road was rezoned from RU6 Transition to R2 Low Density Residential, and the proposed new minimum lot size is 450 square metres.
The site is surrounded by homes and proposed residential housing and is located 600 metres north of neighbourhood shops and one kilometre south-west of the Watagan Park Central shopping centre.
