Telstra Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Telstra Tower |
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Telstra Tower in 2018
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| Alternative names | Black Mountain Tower, Telecom Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Observation and communications tower |
| Location | Canberra, Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°16′32.11″S 149°05′52.14″E / 35.2755861°S 149.0978167°E |
| Construction started | December 1973 |
| Completed | February 1978 |
| Opening | 15 May 1980 |
| Cost | $16.3 million AUD |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 195.2 m (640 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Richard Ure and the Commonwealth Department of Works |
| Main contractor | Concrete Constructions |
Telstra Tower is a tall tower in Canberra, Australia's capital city. It sits on top of Black Mountain and is also known as Black Mountain Tower. The tower is named after Telstra, Australia's biggest phone and internet company, which owns and runs it.
Standing 195.2 metres (640 ft) above the mountain, Telstra Tower is a famous landmark in Canberra. It offers amazing views of the city and the land around it. You can see these views from an indoor viewing area and two outdoor platforms.
Contents
History of Telstra Tower
In April 1970, the Postmaster-General (PMG) asked for a study to see if a tower could be built on Black Mountain. This tower would be used for both communication services and for visitors. It was planned to replace an older microwave station and TV broadcast masts already on the mountain.
The design of the tower was handled by a government department. However, there was a disagreement with the National Capital Development Commission. This group had full control over planning in the Australian Capital Territory.
Building the Tower: Challenges and Protests
While the tower was being approved, some people protested. They were worried about how the tower would look and its effect on nature. Some felt it would be too big and stand out too much, especially since it was in a nature reserve.
A group called the Builders Labourers Federation tried to stop construction. This was known as a "green ban," which means workers refuse to work on a project for environmental reasons. However, their effort did not succeed.
A legal case was even taken to the High Court of Australia. People argued that the government did not have the power to build the tower. But the court decided in favor of the government, and construction was able to begin.
Opening and Name Change
Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser officially opened Black Mountain Tower on May 15, 1980. It was first called Telecom Tower. Later, in 1993, the company changed its name to Telstra, and so the tower became Telstra Tower.
Before the tower was built, TV studios and tall masts for TV channels were already on Black Mountain. These old masts were taken down in 1980 after the new tower opened.
The Alto Tower Restaurant, a special restaurant that slowly turned around, was once in the tower. It closed on February 14, 2013.
What You Can Find at Telstra Tower
Telstra Tower is important for communication in Canberra. It also has places for visitors, like indoor and outdoor viewing decks, a café, and a gift shop.
Inside the tower, there are three floors with equipment for mobile phone services and other communications. These are located between 30.5 and 42.7 meters up the tower.
Viewing the City
The viewing platforms let you see all around Canberra and the nearby countryside. Visitors can enjoy 360-degree views from an enclosed viewing area or from two open outdoor platforms. The tower is open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Besides the communication equipment, the tower has a souvenir shop. There is also a relaxing coffee lounge where you can enjoy a drink.
Telstra Tower has become one of Canberra's most famous landmarks. It is a major tourist spot, with over six million visitors since it opened. In 1989, the World Federation of Great Towers invited Telstra Tower to join other famous towers. These include the CN Tower in Toronto and the Empire State Building in New York City.
Telstra Tower is very noticeable in the Canberra skyline. You can see it from many parts of Canberra and even from the nearby town of Queanbeyan.
- Telstra Tower in the Structurae database
See also
In Spanish: Torre Telstra para niños
