Concerned Tinderbox residents are outraged at the prospect of a 35 m high telecommunication tower in close proximity to their homes and its potential impacts for the wider community.
Last week four neighbouring home-owners received notification from Kingborough Council of the development application to construct the tower on private property at 487 Tinderbox Road West.
But the impact of the proposed tower extends beyond those four homes.
The proposed site will have a high visual impact from Tinderbox Road West, parts of the Tinderbox Nature Reserve, and a number of homes, giving an ugly industrial feel to a rural residential neighbourhood. Residents are also concerned about potential health risks from electromagnetic radiation with the tower close to homes.
The tower site will also encroach onto a nature reserve that is home to endangered bird species, threatened native habitat and has walking tracks frequently used by the public.
Aboriginal heritage is also at risk. An Aboriginal quarry is known to exist on the adjacent land and artefacts are scattered throughout the area. Aboriginal community values have not been considered by Telstra at the site.
‘It’s disappointing that our neighbours accepted Telstra’s incentive to lease a tower site on their land without even considering the impact it would have on their fellow neighbours and the community” said resident Dr Fiona Taylor. ‘It is sad that financial gain sees one resident willing to accept inappropriate development in an area that will have such a negative impact on others’.
Locals are doubly frustrated that Telstra already has approval, without objection, to construct the tower at an alternative site in Tinderbox, a Kingborough Council staff member has confirmed. The approved site is well away from homes and the nature reserve, but it was deemed unsatisfactory by Telstra due to the cost outlay for road and power to access their facility.
‘I’m not opposed to a new mobile phone tower if the carrier has demonstrated a need’, said Dr Taylor, ‘however, I am opposed to inappropriate siting of such towers. I urge a prudent and precautionary approach when the decision making bodies (e.g, local councils) decide where to allow carriers to install them.’
The public are urged to express their objections to the development at 487 Tinderbox Road West in writing to the Kingborough Council General Manager before 5 pm on 26 July (quote development DA-2011-41).
• Further to my media release submitted below, there will be a Community Meeting at the Howden Fire Station (384 Howden Rd) on Thursday 28th July, 7.00-8.00pm, to discuss the proposed telecommunication tower on Tinderbox Road West. A representative from Kingborough Council will attend to hear resident’s concerns.
Fiona Taylor
