Decision looming for development of 4G mobile tower near Alice Springs
THE NT’s development authority body said the construction of a 10-storey high mobile tower was ‘clearly a highly sensitive issue’ because of ‘neighbours with very competing views’
Alice Springs
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- 4G tower to go before development consent body
- ‘It’s too close to our bedroom for our comfort’: Residents slam Telstra tower
A DECISION on plans for a 4G Telstra mobile tower the height of a 10-storey building on the outskirts of Alice Springs will be made next week.
The NT Development Consent Authority (DCA) heard in an “emotional” meeting on Wednesday that the controversial development of a 30-metre high tower flagged for Greatorex Rd, Ilparpa was everything from an “eyesore” and “bad for health” to a “good reliable service” which would be a “positive move forward”.
Around 20 residents showed up to have their say on the potential development.
DCA chair Suzanne Phillip said it was “clearly a highly sensitive issue” because of “neighbours with very competing views”.
The matter was suggested for a deferral which Ms Phillip said was the likely outcome, although a decision will be made known at a later date.
Rafael Sterk represented Telstra at the meeting and said “the current services at Ilparpa present us with an unusable (service) at times”.
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“The serving base station, West Gap is currently in congestion because it covers too much area. The solution is to provide Ilparpa with a dedicated base station … to help provide coverage to the whole Ilparpa area.”
Mr Sterk said the site at Blatherskite Park was “too far away to provide coverage for a work from home environment” for Ilparpa.
“To provide the high band data frequencies … the antennae has to be 1-2 km away to provide a high band 4G service. For higher speeds the site needs to be close to its users.”
He said the best solution would be a 50-metre tower but Telstra had submitted a DA for a 30-metre station, which was “the best Telstra could do”.
One resident spoke in favour of the development and said their current internet dongle service cost more than $300 a month.
“We’re 9km from one of the most modern towns in Australia and we’re forced onto a satellite,” he said.
Another resident opposed the development, which would be “61m away from (his) bedroom”.
“The mobile phone coverage in Ilparpa is already very good. There are residents complaining about not having a tower because they are using their mobile as a Wi-Fi hotspot.”
A lifelong resident was upset a part of the tower would be visible from her retirement home.
“We chose a pristine wilderness for our end of life and if the DCA can understand the heartache this structure will have if it is approved,” she said.
DCA member Chris neck said the tower’s height was an issue but it was a “difficult situation” to “balance the needs of the residents with the technology”.
Ms Phillip told Mr Sterk the DCA “would expect as part of the deferral, you would come back with a feasibility study with at least three (location) alternatives”.
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