Camberwell Horak family in dispute with TPG over 4G network antenna

A CAMBERWELL family locked in a long-running dispute with telecommunications giant TPG, say dreams of moving into their forever home have been ruined by plans to install a 4G network antenna just metres from their home.

A CAMBERWELL family’s dream of living in their “forever home” has been spoiled by a TPG plan to install a 4G network antenna just 20m from their son’s bedroom window.

Peter and Magda Horak and their two-year-old son, Adam, moved into their newly renovated Warburton Rd home in June.

A week later they received TPG’s proposal in the mail and after a “consuming” three-month battle to have the location of the radio communications antenna reviewed, Mr Horak said they still had not received any answers.

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“The antenna is at the same elevation as my son’s bedroom and it is pointing at our house —

my wife is now pregnant at 15 weeks and we’ve already got exposure from a Vodafone antenna that is 150m away,” he said.

“Now TPG is proposing another antenna 20m away, which would double the exposure.”

Mr Horak said despite his objections the telecommunications giant went ahead and installed the radio communications antenna before the community consultation period had ended.

He and the council went straight to TPG to complain and the antenna was then taken down “within a few hours”, Mr Horak said.

The family is now awaiting TPG’s next move.

“There are so many issues and concerns they have not bothered to consult me on,” Mr Horak said.

“Knowing that we have to make a decision between exposing our children to this antenna, and the costs of moving elsewhere, in an area we have fallen in love with in our 11 years here, is absolutely heartbreaking.”

Peter Horak with his wife Magda and son Adam outside their home in Camberwell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hawthorn state Liberal MP John Pesutto said TPG had not responded to his inquiries.

“The behaviour shown by TPG is not acceptable and it needs to be accountable for its premature installations,” he said.

“I have been trying to work with TPG to come to an acceptable resolution in relocating these installations to more appropriate areas.

“Unfortunately, TPG seems to no longer be co-operating in this endeavour.”

But TPG spokesman Redentor Tandog said antenna works at the power pole outside Mr Horak’s Warburton Rd home started “in error”.

“As soon as the error was realised, the equipment was removed,” he said.

“TPG is also looking at processes to avoid this happening again.”

Mr Tandog said TPG had received feedback about concerns with electromagnetic energy (EME) safety during the public consultation process.

“We wrote to local residents and met with MP John Pesutto about these concerns,” Mr Tandog said.

“We understand EME safety is an important issue and that is why safety in this area is tightly regulated.

“TPG has to, and do, operate within standards and limits set by government authorities — Ultimately, we are aiming to enhance service and connectivity for the community in a way that is safe and lawful.”

The Leader has previously reported on other homeowners in Hawthorn and Canterbury who were similarly concerned about TPG’s lack of community consultation during their 4G network rollout.

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