Optus to move telecommunications tower from Bendigo tourist area

It is welcome news for people like Mark Lees, who have been living with the "blot on the landscape" since its erection on land in McGillivray Lane, overlooking the Bendigo Art Gallery and other tourist drawcards.

"If it is gone next week, then good. Hopefully it finds a more suitable temporary spot," he said.

The new temporary base station should be moved to Creek Street North from Monday.

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Mr Lees hoped the new site would not impact on someone else's views.

He said that the station initially made an irritating humming noise but that Optus had switched off generators and plugged everything into the electricity grid after complaints were made.

He said it stopped the sound going through his house.

The City of Greater Bendigo had no input into the decision to set up the station and tower earlier this year because Optus did not need planning permission for it.

Optus is yet to lock in a permanent home for its base station and tower. They were previously been housed at Mundy Street before a redevelopment forced the move to McGillivray Lane.

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The telecommunications company plans to spend up to three days installing the base station at Creek Street North.

A temporary "cell on wheels" will be used to help minimise any impact on customer coverage during that time, an Optus spokesperson said.

"Our priority during this time is to minimise any disruption and ensure that we can continue to keep our customers connected," they said.

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