Bundaberg mum raises radiation concerns over Optus 5G tower

Optus has responded to concerns raised by a Bundaberg mother about the safety of its huge 5G tower proposed to be built near businesses at Bundaberg East.

A proposed Optus 5G tower has stirred up public concerns with one worried mother saying more testing is needed on the electromagnetic frequency technology.

The tower to be built at 6 Bridge Street will be taller than the iconic East Bundaberg water tower at a height of 26.9m.

As a mother to a young son, Candice Bauer has called for the Bundaberg Regional Council to reject the application over concerns of suspected unhealthy radiation.

“At the end of the day, this intense EMF technology has been introduced into Australia without being proven to be safe and without long term safety testing,” Mrs Bauer said.

Candice Bauer has concerns over 5G technology.

Her concerns come from a National Toxicology Program’s 2018 review of technical reports on cell phone radiofrequency radiation which tested rats and mice for possible carcinogenic evidence.

A media representative for Optus said all due care had been taken to keep the population safe from any possible exposure.

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

“The health and safety of the community is our priority.”

The limits imposed are handed down from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency an agency of the Federal Government.

A council spokesman said they were still considering public submissions.

The tower was proposed for East Bundaberg.

“As an impact assessable development application, the application is required to be publicly notified and any interested parties may make a submission before the closing date,” they said.

Bundaberg has a long history with 5G technology, as one of the first cities in the world to be connected to the wireless technology.

The tower was proposed for the specialised zone land at East Bundaberg and was expected to maintain and improve mobile coverage to the area.

Mrs Bauer remains unconvinced the necessary precautions have been taken for the technology.

“We don’t want EMF caused by 5G antennas to be the next ‘asbestos-type’ health crisis our society has to go through,” Mrs Bauer said.

Residents have until November 7 to lodge submissions for or against the development.

Originally published as Bundaberg mum raises radiation concerns over Optus 5G tower