‘It’s too close to our bedroom for our comfort’: Residents slam Telstra tower
RESIDENTS are protesting against a proposed mobile tower flagged for Ilparpa, Alice Springs, saying “it’s too close to our bedroom for our comfort”
Alice Springs
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RESIDENTS are protesting against a proposed Telstra 4G mobile tower flagged for Ilparpa, Alice Springs, saying “it’s too close to our bedroom for our comfort”.
The two residents on Greatorex Rd are protesting the potential construction of a 31.4m mobile tower being planned on their boundary (fence line).
The residents have erected a 4m sign at the front gate of their property stating: “We do not want Telstra Tower on our boundary, RF radiation = cancer”.
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Telstra regional general manager Nic Danks said a proposed new mobile base station at Ilparpa to provide enhanced coverage for the nearby Whitegums and Ross areas was currently going through the planning stages.
The Ilparpa residents said the tower would be 61m from their home and bedroom.
At 31.4m, the tower will be as high as a 10-storey building if approved.
“Mobile phone towers emit thermal radiofrequency waves that numerous recent scientific publications have shown affects living organisms, including increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damage, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general wellbeing in humans,” the residents said.
“By law, anything of such a size is supposed to be 10m away from our boundary line.”
Mr Danks said Telstra had received community feedback about poor coverage in the area and was working towards addressing those concerns. “The nearby base stations don’t adequately service this area because of challenging terrain,” he said.
“The solution is to build a new base station in the area, and we’re simply working with the local authorities to scope out possibilities.”
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Mr Danks said Telstra had conducted extensive electromagnetic energy (EME) testing on its mobile network and took customer health and safety very seriously.
“We acknowledge people are genuinely concerned about the possible health effects from EME and we are committed to addressing those concerns,” Mr Danks said.
“Our wireless networks are designed to be very efficient and minimise EME.
“Both the network and device power will be low, which means low levels of EME.”
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