Residents gathered on Sunday to protest against Telstra’s proposed microwave ‘data only’ antenna for its facility in Main Arm village.
The group claim it will ‘constitute a serious health hazard and do nothing to improve mobile coverage.’
Resident Nino MacDonald said, ‘The Telstra proposal will effectively irradiate an area within a radius of 50 metres with 10.15 mW/m2 of microwave radiation; equivalent to holding a phone next to your head 24/7.
‘Our concern is that the highest radiation would include a daycare centre, the Main Arm store and cafe as well as several residences.’
‘Under current planning laws, Telcos are not required to seek development approval for work undertaken on their land. However owing to ongoing community pressure, construction, which was supposed to have commenced in early January, has been temporarily delayed. According to Visionstream, Telstra’s agents, the matter has been ‘escalated’ and is now before Mitch Fifield, federal communications minister. Residents have also called on Justine Elliott MP to intercede on their behalf.’
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