Safety push for Yallingup tower

Supporters of a proposed National Broadband Network tower in Yallingup's Gunyulgup Valley say they want the project to go ahead to improve community safety.

Yallingup resident and facilitator of the Yallingup Rural Bushfire Brigade Peter Campbell said without core internet, residents couldn't access Department of Fire and Emergency Services warnings during a bushfire emergency.

The proposed tower has angered other landowners in the area who say it will impact land values and tourism.

Yallingup property owner Rod Taylor said he was not against the NBN tower, he just didn't want it located 100m from his property.

Mr Taylor said he did not believe enough investigation had been done into other potential locations.

"Personally I think it should be on public land, we don't want it here because it is invasive and there is plenty of public land not being utilised," he said.

"I support NBN and we'd love to have it, but I don't want it in my backyard."

However, Mr Campbell said a lot of objectors to the project were not residents, but owned holiday homes in Yallingup.

"They aren't here during bushfire season and they aren't running a business from their homes," he said.

"What right do they have to tell residents what services they can or can't have?"

Mr Campbell and another resident, Grant Girdler, set up a Facebook group in support of the tower called Yallingup NBN Now Support Group.

Mr Girdler said some of the poorest countries in the world had better internet coverage than Yallingup.

"We have a fire risk in this area and we deserve to feel safe and have access to fire updates and warnings," he said.

"Other key reasons we need it is for education, to seek out information, for tourism and for small business.

"How are we expected to grow in this region if we don't have decent internet access?"

A development application for the tower is with the City of Busselton for assessment.

The application is out for public consultation until February 10.

NBN Co State corporate affairs manager Philippa Perry told the Times the City of Busselton council may request the proposed tower be shifted within the property after the community advertising period, but would be subject to assessment of radio frequency and transmission analysis.

"We are not convinced that moving the tower would satisfy objectors, many of whom have expressed a view that the tower should not be located anywhere near this area," she said.

"NBN and our project partners remain open to dialogue about the proposal following the closure of submissions and once we have a full picture of the view of the community."