The NSW Land and Environment Court on May 22 overruled Blacktown Council’s refusal of the mobile tower Telstra proposed to build at Quakers Hill.
Court Commissioner Sue Morris ruled that there was no reason to reject the tower based on health risks and visual impact.
“I accept the tower will be visible from locations close to and further away from the site including residential properties,” she said.
“However I do not consider that impact is such that it would justify refusal of consent and is consistent with the approach required under the DCP to minimise the visual impact.’’
The court’s decision after a yearlong fight with Telstra comes after locals were shocked to receive notice of another proposed mobile tower on February 27, this time from Optus.
And again the council had an overwhelming response in opposition to the Optus tower, and for similar reasons.
Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson had last month voiced her concerns over the potential health effects.
“There are too many reports that show a link to the radiation from these towers and cancer clusters,” she said.
“Even if half the reports are true the evidence seems to indicate that they are not safe in close proximity to people’s habitats.”
The proposed Optus site is on council-owned land known as Mihkelson Reserve, approximately 450m away from the Telstra site. The proposal includes the installation of three-panel antenna, an equipment shelter and underground cables.
Leanne Barnett lives 150 metres from the Optus site and said she was distressed when she read the letter.
“Without doubt if there were two towers in such close proximity to our home we would be at a much higher risk of contracting some form of cancer and it’s a very scary thought,” she said.
“Also I could no longer live here because our property value would decline enormously.”
An Optus spokesperson denied health risks and claimed there was no convincing evidence the signals from base stations and wireless networks caused adverse health effects.
He said the tower would operate well within the safety standards set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
