Community & Business
11 February, 2022
Council rejects site for 27m Telstra tower
TELSTRA will have to identify another location for a new telecommunications tower in Atherton after its application to construct the facility in Vernon Street was rejected by Tablelands Regional Council.
The national telecommunications giant investigated 10 potential sites to locate the tower which will be nearly 27m high – more than three times the height allowed under the town’s planning scheme.
Telstra wants to install the tower to improve 4G and 5G services within the CBD and surrounding areas.
Officers had recommended the tower be approved – despite the fact it contravened the planning scheme in relation to height – but the recommendation was overturned after a lengthy debate during which Cr Peter Hodge made it clear that the council had a responsibility to do “the right thing” by the community.
He explained that because the application was code assessable, residents had not been able to lodge a submission and therefore also had no rights to appeal any decision made.
“They only have one right and that is the belief in this council to do the right thing – we need to look after the people here,” he said.
He challenged anyone to “walk out there and show me a structure that’s over three storeys” (in the CBD).
While Planning and Environment Manager Tudor Tanase admitted the structure did exceed the height limits of the CBD, it had met the performance outcome requirements, with the tower to be narrow, and relevant conditions based on minimising the negative effects on the amenity of the area could be imposed.
Another sticking point for councillors was the emissions from the tower, to which Mr Tanase responded that was why the tower had to be so tall to ensure that by the time “radiation” reached the ground, they were at an acceptable level.
While Deputy Mayor Kevin Cardew expressed his concerns about the emissions, he was also worried that if the tower was not approved, Atherton may be worse off in relation to reliable and fast telephone connection services.
“Are we limiting the services that may be able to be provided to places like the hospital?” he questioned.
“Are we shooting ourselves in the foot because developers may not want to come if 5G is not available or the service (phone coverage) is not good – it all boils down to do we want 5G or not,” he said.
Cr Bernie Wilce agreed, saying he too had concerns Atherton would be left behind when it came to telecommunications services and was unsure what the repercussions of such a decision would mean for the town.
Cr David Clifton asked why the applicant had not suggested using Halloran’s Hill for the tower, given other similar structures were already based there, but officers were unaware as to whether the site had been considered.
“The report says they (Telstra) only want it in the CBD because of cost,” Cr Hodge said.
He pleaded with the council to refuse the application on the grounds it did not meet the planning scheme requirements and suggested they needed better health advice on the possible effects of 5G before any decision could be made on such a project.
“Surely, we can wait until we get more information about the emissions and they look at other locations for a tower.”
The council rejected the application, with only Crs Marti, Cardew and Haydon voting for the tower.
