Balgowlah Boys: Health fears over 5G upgrade at phone tower on school grounds

Parents and residents are approaching their last chance to have a say on a controversial 5G upgrade to a mobile phone tower situated on school grounds.

A proposal to add 5G technology to a mobile phone tower situated in the grounds of a northern beaches school has reignited debate over whether it poses a danger to the health of students and teachers.

The tower which is just metres from classrooms, was approved and constructed at Balgowlah Boys in Maretimo St in 1993, in a deal between the Department of Education and Optus.

That lease was renewed in 2013 for a further 20 years, netting the school a whopping $750,000.

The P & C voted for the move at the time.

Balgowlah Boys school hall. Credit: C Mills.

The current P & C re-looked at the issue last year after a “small number” of parents raised health concerns.

It found it would have to pay back around $450,000 if the lease was broken.

After carefully wading through the research on the safety of mobile phone towers, some of which was ‘misinformation’, according to P & C President Colin Cardwell, the committee found the levels of electromagnetic radiation posed no health risk and decided not to pursue it any further.

However, less than 12 months on Telstra is proposing to add three 5G panels onto the tower, with submissions on the issue closing on Friday at 5pm.

Balgowlah Boys school. Credit: C Mills.

It confirmed that there had been 21 submissions so far.

Mr Cardwell said the P & C had no position on the 5G proposal and would not be making a submission.

“The P & C is neither one way or the other on 5G,” he said.

“We looked at the issue of the phone tower in-depth last year.”

One parent at the school Mark Helm, 61, of Allambie Heights, said he and others were concerned about the possible health risks of 5G, which emits smaller waves and is new technology.

“The principal and the teachers are absolutely dedicated,” he said.

“But the school should be properly funded so it does not have to rely on leases.

“I’m an ‘ordinary Joe’.

The toilets before they were renovated at Balgowlah Boys. Picture: Supplied.

“I don’t know whether there are any health risks, but my view is that we should take a precautionary stance.

“How do we know that in 10 to 15 years we find that this is like another asbestos of thalidomide problem.”

Mr Cardwell agreed there was a severe lack of investment at the popular school, which because of its outstanding HSC results has seen pupil numbers swell to 1200 in recent years.

He said in his opinion basic human rights were not being met with too few toilets on site for the number of pupils and the new toilet block that was installed recently was so “cheaply made” they were locked apart from at recess and lunchtime so they could be better supervised.

Walls murals have been painted by art students to try and cheer up the 1959 building at Balgowlah Boys. Picture: Supplied.

He said a working bee had been organised to decorate eight classrooms, with paint donated by Dulux, something that should be part of the basic school maintenance program.

However, he said while the money from the telcos helped, it was unlikely the current P & C would agree to a tower if it was proposed today, even with the money sweetener.

Telcos often point to the advice from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) — a government body — which says there is no established health effects from the radio waves that the 5G network uses.

Member for Warringah Zali Steggall outside Balgowlah Boys Campus at Balgowlah on Thursday, 26 September, 2019. As local member, Ms Steggall is concerned about the state of disrepair at the school. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

But the Department of Education has adopted a policy of prudent avoidance by not endorsing the installation of any mobile telecommunications facilities on school property or within 500m.

The policy appears only to cover new installations rather than existing ones.

No external permission is required to add the 5G panels and Telstra will decide whether to go ahead after considering the submissions.

A Telstra spokesman said: “Telstra rely on national and international experts such as the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in relation to guidance on base stations and health. It is the responsibility of these expert authorities to continually review the science on electromagnetic energy (EME) and to protect public safety.”

Member for Manly James Griffin helped extend the submissions date. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Manly MP James Griffin who helped extend the submissions date so more people could have their say, said the original 25 year lease was signed under the watch of the former Independent Member for Manly in 1993.

“Balgowlah Boys has recently received significant funding for new classrooms, toilets, airconditioning, hall upgrades and seating upgrades,” he said.

“Just like other schools in the electorate, I will continue to lobby for more funding to continue improvements to Balgowlah Boys.

“I am working with the Principal and P & C on long term strategy to ensure the school is something we are proud of and serves the needs of its students.

“I have received no information from the school about toilets supposedly being locked.”

Federal independent MP for Warringah, Zali Steggall, said she had raised parents’ concerns about the lack of proper consultation from telecommunications companies when it comes to the installation of new facilities or the upgrade of existing ones, with the Federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and his department.

“On this occasion with the tower at Balgowlah Boys, the company may have consulted with nearby residents, but I question the lack of consultation with the parents of students at the school,” Ms Steggall told the Manly Daily.

“I would ask that Telstra extend the submission period again for longer than one week to undertake further consultation on the proposed upgrade and to include an onsite consultation, to ensure all parents are adequately informed.”

Ms Steggall said her office had also been monitoring progress of renovations and upgrades to the schoool, which she had previously called for.

“Balgowlah Boys needs to be well resourced by the State Government in line with their increasing enrolments, student needs and fantastic results.”

To make a submission email [e-mail] and at www.rfnsa.com.au/2093002 before 5pm on Friday.