Telstra likely to appeal

‘There is electromagnetic radiation everywhere and in all good conscience, if we believe it’s dangerous then we should eliminate it entirely from our daily lives and I don’t know if we would be prepared to do this ” things such as microwave ovens, computer towers, monitor screens, overhead power- lines and cordless telephones,’ he said.

‘If we reject this application, it’s very likely Telstra will appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).

‘We will need to defend the decision, it’s a costly exercise and the outcome may be no different.’

Cr Geoff Amphlett agreed, saying to date, no adverse health effects had been established as being caused my mobile phone use.

‘If we can’t put this tower in the middle of an industrial estate, where can we put them?’ he asked.

‘If we knock this back we might as well say to Telstra ‘don’t ever come back to this area’.

‘This is an ideal situation for such a tower.’

Cr Russ Fishwick asked how much it could cost the City if the decision to refuse was appealed at SAT.

Mayor Pickard said it could be about $60,000.

‘That figure does cause me concern to perhaps defend an issue in front of the SAT that we know will be lost,’ Cr Fishwick said.

Mr Pickard said there was significant miscommunication in the community of the impacts of electromagnetic emissions.

‘If mums and dads are truly concerned about electromagnetic emissions and the unknown impact it has on their children, then I challenge those individuals to assess in their own household the products they have that causes electromagnetic emissions,’ he said.

‘In saying that, I will be voting against and taking on board the comments expressed by the community.’