‘I am not prepared to bet the future health of mine and other families against future research that finds (electronic) emissions are dangerous,’ Clive Road resident Kate Moore told Cottesloe Council last month.
Telstra proposed the 7.5m towers for its NextG network on the telephone exchange at 1 Congdon Street to improve Cottesloe’s mobile phone coverage, after removal of towers was requested by the owners of the closing Sundown Hostel in Claremont.
Residents were also concerned about potential asbestos contamination at the exchange site after discovery of the toxin in cable pits across Australia while Telstra was installing the National Broadband Network recently,
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘Will it be dealt with during design and construction of the towers, because unfortunately the recent issue with asbestos in Telstra facilities don’t give us much confidence?’ Congdon Street resident Anthony Cribb said.
Council staff previously told Telstra its design was unsympathetic to the street, impacted a heritage building and an alternative site should be sought.
Councillors refused the application because of the residents’ objection, the towers’ impact on the street and the council’s heritage list and failure to comply with State Government planning policy for mobile towers.
It invited Telstra and other mobile carriers to a meeting to discuss future towers.
A Telstra spokesman said the utility was considering its options and was available for any discussion on providing mobile coverage in Cottesloe.