Page 2476 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 22 August 2006
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Brindabella have raised their concerns with me about the proposed installation of towers. Some residents are concerned about the health consequences of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the towers. Others are concerned that the towers are not aesthetically pleasing and therefore diminish their view, while other people are concerned that the towers may reduce their property values.
Most people concerned with the installation of these towers agree that they are necessary. Technology is moving rapidly and the ACT government needs to ensure that Canberra develops as a connected society. This includes having the best access to telecommunications services. There is a significant increase in demand for more sophisticated mobile communications connectivity when we are not in the home or office; for example, mobile phones that provide large volumes of text, data and video in addition to the more basic mobile phone services.
The new 3G network will provide benefits for the broader community, including the small business sector, professional groups such as medical practitioners that can obtain patient information away from their surgery and consumers, including our youth and other members of the public who want to obtain real-time information and/or services in the cultural, entertainment and leisure categories. Also, 3G technology will improve emergency response by allowing the precise location of handsets to be identified.
I believe, however, that it is the responsibility of the telecommunications companies to consult widely with everyone that may be affected by the installation of a 3G tower, or any telecommunications facility for that matter, in their neighbourhood. Unfortunately, in one particular case relating to the 3GIS network plan, the telecommunications provider did not acknowledge the residents’ concerns and did not answer their correspondence. In fact, when I wrote to the area manager of a particular telecommunications company on behalf of these residents, it took some three months to receive a reply, during which time work had already begun on the installation of the tower. I would add that during those three months my office and I did not wait for a response. We were in constant contact, asking when we were going to be getting a response on that issue.
To his credit, at the beginning of August the area manager attended a meeting I organised with the concerned residents and assured them that he would investigate the possibility of relocating the tower. While I am still waiting on an announcement of the final outcome, I acknowledge that the residents’ concerns have now been taken into account and they are being kept informed of the investigations.
The installation of any telecommunications facility is a contentious issue. For every person that opposes it, there is another that demands that it is necessary. I do not disagree with that. As I said previously, however, I do believe it would save a lot of angst and concern in communities if telecommunications companies kept residents informed. I am aware that ACTPLA approves the sites for such facilities, but the companies need to ensure that they meet with residents before approval is given and listen to their concerns. They need to provide them with information about health consequences and any other issues residents may be concerned about.
In most cases this does occur. Unfortunately, however, for a number of reasons, some communities remain unaware of a proposed tower installation or development or only
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