Lake Macquarie residents oppose proposed Mount Hutton phone tower

Lake Macquarie City Council is set to debate a development application for a 25-metre telecommunications tower in Mount Hutton. The proposal, submitted by Downer EDI Limited on behalf of Indara Corporation, seeks to build the facility on Hunter Water-owned land at 76 Auklet Road.

The project has faced opposition from local residents, who submitted 13 formal objections. Critics argue the structure is "wholly inappropriate" for the bushland environment and will "visually dominate" nearby residential properties. The tower's proposed height exceeds the R2 low density residential zone maximum of 8.5 metres by 194 per cent.

While council staff have recommended approval, Indara Corporation maintains the facility is necessary to address a telecommunications black spot and improve mobile and data coverage for Optus customers. An electromagnetic energy report indicated the tower would emit 2.30 per cent of the maximum allowed under Australian regulations.