Wyong: Optus’ plans for 5G mobile phone tower across Pacific Highway from Wadalba homes

Optus has lodged plans to erect a 25m tall 5G mobile phone base station tower across the road from hundreds of Central Coast homes. Read the full details here.

A proposed Optus 5G tower would be located on privately-owned industrial land at 458 Pacific Highway north of Wyong and directly opposite hundreds of homes at Wadalba.

The telecommunications giant proposed to install a 25m tall monopole with 16 panel antennas and 28 remote radio units mounted to the top.

The pole and four outdoor equipment cabinets would be fenced at ground level and include gates, signage, bird proofing, earthing, electrical works and airconditioning equipment.

“Optus has undertaken an analysis of their mobile network within Wyong, Wadalba and the surrounding suburbs, identifying areas where coverage and network quality needs to be improved,” Optus’ development application (DA) states.

The telco considered other sites including numbers 17 and 140 Jensens Rd, at Tacoma, but these were rejected by the land owners and were considered a “high planning risk due to close location to dwellings and proposed future development”

It also looked at 130 Johns Rd, Wadalba, but again the land owner was not interested.

“Optus have selected the proposed location and design based on the radio frequency coverage objectives, network requirements, planning and environmental constraints, proximity to potential community sensitive uses, engineering criteria, buildability, accessibility and the ability to obtain a suitable agreement for the use of the land,” its DA states.

“The selected property is adequately separated from the main residential development of the area.”

The approximate location (grey pin) at 458 Pacific Highway is across the road from hundreds of Wadalba houses. Wyong. Picture: supplied

However aerial photographs of the proposed location show it is across the highway from hundreds of suburban homes at Wadalba.

“The proposed installation will comply with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulatory arrangements with respect to electromagnetic radiation exposure (EME) levels,” the DA states.

“This facility is to be operated in compliance with the mandatory standard for human exposure to EME – currently the Radio communications (Electromagnetic Radiation Human Exposure) Standard 2003.”

Grey squares showing the indicative location of the 5G phone tower. Picture: supplied

Optus’ EME report states the maximum predicted EME levels will equate to 3.76 per cent of the maximum exposure limit.

“The proposed Optus telecommunications facility at 458 Pacific Highway, Wyong will form an integral component in the ongoing development of the mobile telecommunications infrastructure in the locality and wider Wyong and Central Coast Council region,” the DA states.

“The facility will provide an important community benefit by providing access to critical mobile telecommunications infrastructure, and therefore greatly improved wireless telecommunications services in the area.”

The proposed location of the tower, cabinets and fence (in red). Picture: supplied

“The proposed development is considered appropriate in light of the relevant legislative, environmental, technical, radio coverage and public safety requirements and is considered acceptable in social, economic and environmental terms as demonstrated in this Statement of Environmental Effects.

“There are no major environmental impacts likely to occur which could render the construction and operation of the proposed facility unacceptable, and the proposal satisfactorily meets the requirements of the relevant state and local planning instruments and policies.”

An Optus spokeswoman said the health and safety of the community was its priority.

“All Optus facilities comply with strict regulations that limit the exposure of the public to electromagnetic energy (EME),” she said.

“These limits are set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), an agency of the Federal Government and based out in the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation – Human Exposure) Standard 2003, administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).”

For further information visit: https://www.optus.com.au/for-you/5g/eme