By KATH GANNAWAY
Few residents hung up on plans for phone tower…
THE Bowerbird Sawmill site in the centre of Millgrove is the best place for a mobile phone tower according to Telstra, but some residents are calling for a rethink.
Telstra has applied to Yarra Ranges Council for a permit to build the 40-metre monopole and base station it says is needed to improve signal strength in the area and to ensure customer demands for mobile services can be met in the future.
The proposal was discussed at a public meeting in March hosted by Millgrove Residents’ Action Group (MRAG) and attended by about 20 residents, Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child and Telstra representatives.
MRAG spokesman Bob Lillie said the group invited Telstra to come out to explain its proposal but said the meeting was not well attended.
“Basically, there were two or three people who were very much in favour of it because of the access to the internet, and a couple who were very much against it because of the health concerns (around EMR) and because it is so close to the school,” Mr Lillie said.
He said MRAG had not put in a submission.
The posting in September of the official planning application notice on the sawmill site has highlighted recurring issues with tower proposals, the impact on the visual amenity of the location, and concern about the possible effects of electromagnetic energy (EME).
Resident Rosemary Hearne said the proposed site was highly visible in the centre of the town and questioned why the equipment could not be co-located on an existing tower.
“Why can’t they attach it to the tower at Upper Yarra RSL rather than have all these other towers wrecking the look of the valley,” she said.
“The (Yarra Ranges) council has told me they have guidelines in place so these towers won’t be so obtrusive, and I’m hoping the site, right on the corner, won’t meet those guidelines,” she said.
Another resident Frank Matteurs also questioned the siting saying he believed Mount Little Joe would be a much better location.
Mr Matteurs said he has an understanding of radio frequency through his involvement with two-radio, and said there are many in the community who are uneasy about it and that the uncertainty was around possible long-term effects.
Telstra has responded to concerns saying it had proactively engaged with the council and the community before finalising development plans or applying for planning approval
Spokesman James Howe said the company had asked for feedback and received two written submissions and two petitions in favour and one objecting.
Among the reasons for selecting the sawmill site was its proximity to the established areas of Millgrove with capacity to provide more reliable coverage, adequate visual and physical separation from surrounding properties, and its existing industrial use.
Mr Howe said sites off Prices Road and on Mt Little Joe had been considered but rejected due to visual impact, failure to meet improved coverage and signal strength objectives and access.
He said the Upper Yarra RSL was not an option for the Millgrove area but may be a solution to improve services in Yarra Junction in the future.
“The proposed site has been carefully selected as the best available on the basis that it strikes an appropriate balance between protecting visual amenity and achieving Telstra’s coverage objectives for Millgrove and its surrounds,” Mr Howe said.
Mr Howe said Telstra acknowledges some people are genuinely concerned about possible health effects but said the company relies on expert advice of national and international health authorities, including the World Health Organisation.
“The maximum environmental EME level predicted from the proposed facility is just 0.15 per cent of the allowable limit under the standard,” he said.
“This is over 650 times below the standard.”
Yarra Ranges Council planning spokeswoman Kim Marriot said the council had received submissions objecting and supporting the proposal and was working with Telstra to gain a full understanding of the potential impacts.
Ms Marriot said it was likely the application would go to a full council meeting and confirmed that residents could still make submissions, quoting YR-2013/465.
No date has been set for the matter to be decided.
“It is likely that once council has all the required information, a consultation meeting will take place,” she added.
