WELLINGTON NORTH – The search continues for an alternative location to place an Xplornet telecommunications tower after council here objected to a previously-proposed location at 8316 5th Line, east of Arthur.
The York Soaring Association, an active aerodrome with glider planes and powered aircraft, reached out to the Advertiser earlier this year with safety concerns about the proposed 45-metre (148-foot) tower and its proximity to the airfield.
After involvement from Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and some initial confusion among staff and councillors about the township’s power over federally-regulated towers being built here, council ultimately objected to the proposed tower location, with the township wanting another, more suitable location farther away from the aerodrome.
In an email to the Advertiser, York Soaring Association president Dave Bax said he was pleased with council’s position and hoped a location, not impeding the aerodrome’s operations, would be found to bring improved internet service to the community.
York Soaring Association president Dave Bax takes to skies over Wellington County. Photo by Jordan Snobelen
After receiving the township’s objection letter on Oct. 15, Canacre planner Maria Wood stated in an email that alternative locations are currently being sought to improve a coverage gap between 6 Line and Wellington Road 16. Canacre is a development consultant acting on behalf of Xplornet.
But according to Wood, Xplornet’s “radio frequency department” is having trouble overcoming what she said are “significant technical and physical constraints” in the area.
In some cases, if “the most appropriate and viable solution is brought forward and not supported,” a tower proposal may even be abandoned altogether, Wood said.
Radio frequency staff are bumping up against other towers emitting similar frequencies, boundaries dictating where and what frequencies can be used, and the ability to provide coverage to specific areas, Wood said.
Asked about search area boundaries, Wood responded saying there aren’t “hard and fast” lines, but an ideal location would be between 5th Line and East-West Garafraxa Townline.
“Many of the locations that can meet the technical radio frequency requirements will interfere with existing land uses, are considered to exert a more significant than necessary aesthetic impact on residences, or do not have a willing host/available land, among other reasons,” she stated.
Wood said alternative locations “have been discussed” with the soaring association and township staff but she did not provide further detail.
Township CAO Mike Givens said in an email, responding to questions from the Advertiser, that the township has had no involvement with Canacre in finding an alternate location, has no indications about other locations being considered, and is committing no staff resources to the matter.
The soaring club had received a phone call from Canacre on Oct. 22, according to Bax, suggesting a site immediately northwest of the aerodrome – which he said was an “equally bad location” – and he last heard from the consultants on Nov. 4 about pursuing options on 6 Line.
The York Soaring Association east of Arthur in Wellington North. Photo by Jordan Snobelen
“We have repeatedly suggested since July that 6 Line on Oscar Martin’s property was a reasonable location that we would not object to,” Bax stated.
The association has provided Canacre with a runway map, a member’s procedures manual and a circuit procedure manual to help consultants understand the aerodrome and how glider pilots fly.
Reached by phone on Dec. 3, Oscar Martin, who owns around 200 acres of land between 5th and 6 Lines, east of the aerodrome, said he believes Canacre is still considering his property.
“I think they’re still trying to relocate it,” Martin said, referring to the tower. He added he hadn’t heard back from Canacre for “at least” a month.
The review and selection process for alternative sites is still ongoing, according to Wood, but no timeline for completion has been provided.
