Spark applied in March to replace an existing 7m-high streetlight pole next to Peter Fraser Park with a 15m-high combined telecommunications facility, streetlight and street sign.
Counsel for Spark Daniel Minhinnick said it had only one site at present, 4.5km west of the township, that provided Lake Hawea with mobile coverage and it needed to cover not only the township but also the plains towards Hawea Flat.
The popularity of wireless broadband in Lake Wanaka had reached capacity and the performance of the service to customers was being degraded.
The proposed tower would solve those issues and provide for the future needs of the community, he said.
In her evidence, Ms Matthews said there had been extensive consultation with the Hawea community, which had concerns about the height and wanted the tower put elsewhere.
Spark's response had been to modify the installation.
Mr Minhinnick said submitters had suggested alternative sites but they would not meet operational network requirements.
The hearing continues today.
