Quay group don’t want new phone tower

TELSTRA has proposed a new phone tower at The Quay Reserve, Torquay; an area used by sporting groups, surrounded by homes, an aged-care facility, child-care and schools.

Julie Fitzpatrick, an allied health professional, has lived within 150 metres of the proposed tower for 13 years.

She is versed in educating the public about potential environmental health issues and has reached out to other concerned residents.

A new Facebook group ‘The Quay versus Telstra Tower(s)’ has been established to keep residents informed of the associated health risks.

“It seems ludicrous to have a phone tower offered here, when we have no issues with phone reception. It felt natural to reach out and seek more advice; the result being that nearby residents joined forces and swung into action immediately!”

Another nearby resident Raphael Siket, a building biologist, has concerns about the long-term exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as possibly carcinogenic.

Helen Day and Kim Hawker have only been in the area three months and checked prior to moving that this type of installation would not be near their new home.

“We understand that mobile communications need to have network facilities, but think it is a failure of planning not to have locations for these confirmed before residential lots are developed.”

Shayne Hope lives within 40 metres of the oval and reports that a real estate agent confirmed if the tower is constructed, the value and appeal of nearby properties will be diminished.

Telstra has reportedly argued that the new tower is to support extra strain over summer, but residents in the group reported they were happy with signals.

Surf Coast Shire has requested all objections be emailed in writing initially to [email protected].

You can also email Surf Coast Shire and join the petition on change.org.

The Australian Government’s Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency states that existing research shows there are no established health effects that can be attributed to low level radiofrequency electromagnetic energy exposure from mobile phone base station antennas (see more at bit.ly/2NYq9g8).