Faster internet speed in Cooks Gap is coming at the expense of one frustrated resident.
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Ben Campbell is fed up with the noise of a large generator installed to operate a telecommunications tower 120 metres from his home.
After several attempts to locate the tower’s owner, Mid-Western Regional Council staff referred Mr Campbell to the National Broadband Network complaints line.
It’s believed the tower was installed as part of the National Broadband Network last year and has been running on a generator 24 hours a day for six weeks, Mr Campbell said.
“It’s a lot louder (at night) I can feel the vibrations from my bed, from my lounge, even just standing in the lounge room you can feel it in your belly,” said Mr Campbell who has lived on the property for 15 years.
“By using the generator now allows people to connect to the NBN sooner than otherwise would be the case. So that’s a good thing for the community as a whole.”
“I’m always nauseous till I go out for the day.”
Mr Campbell said he was not informed prior to either the tower or generator being installed.
After repeated phone calls to the company delivering the network, NBN Co, he said he has not been offered a resolution.
“They haven’t really said when it’s going to be done by, that’s one of the things they were going to ring me back but never do,” Mr Campbell said.
“I want to see the generator turned off, I’ve got family coming for Easter and it’s not going to be much of an Easter.”
In a statement to the Mudgee Guardian the company apologised for the inconvenience.
“Rest assured, we’re working to address the resident’s concerns,” an NBN spokesperson said.
“In the short term, we’ve put a barrier around the generator to lessen the noise.”
But Mr Campbell said the sound proofing is no more than a sheet (pictured).
“We are working to remove the generator completely as soon as possible by access permanent power,” the spokesperson said.
“By using the generator now allows people to connect to the NBN sooner than otherwise would be the case. So that’s a good thing for the community as a whole.”
According to the NBN rollout map, work has commenced to connect premises along Ulan Road from Linburn to north of Ridge Road, extending east to Moolarben, in parts of Cooks Gap, Dunedoo and Coolah.
