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Optus coverage at Wellington should soon improve.

The company plans to have a new mobile phone tower built there.

Public consultation is now open on Kordia Solutions’ plan to build a tower at the corner of Langhorne Creek Road and El Shaddai Road.

The 32.5-metre tall tower would provide 5G coverage in the area, improving internet download speeds and reducing call drop-outs for mobile users.

Kordia scouted several other locations, but rejected them for being too close to the township and more likely to interrupt people’s views.

The company said it would be impractical to install Optus’ equipment on the nearby NBN tower on Ann Street, or the Telstra tower near the highway at Wellington East.

The new tower would be partly funded by the federal government’s mobile black spot program.

Optus promised it would operate at a level well below radiation safety guidelines.

The Murray Bridge council assessment panel will be responsible for deciding whether to approve the tower once any public feedback is taken into account.

• Have your say: Visit plan.sa.gov.au before 11.59pm next Thursday, December 16.

• More information about electromagnetic energy and your health: Visit www.health.gov.au or www.optus.com.au.

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