Media Release
Wednesday, 22 December 2004
Green Mayor Urges Caution over Rental of Mobile Phone Tower Sites
The rollout of the new "3 G" mobile phone transmitters is continuing across Sydney despite community opposition.
Local Councils can do little as the Commonwealth Government has exempted the companies from being covered by State planning controls.
Some members of the community hold concerns as to the health effects of the electromagnetic emissions.
Tension is aroused because the companies often rent sites close to community activities or residents homes, such as on blocks of flats and/or adjacent to schools.
Randwick City Greens Mayor Murray Matson has entered the debate by urging property owners to apply the precautionary principle before agreeing to let companies use their sites.
He said today,
"I would personally advocate that property owners apply the 'precautionary principle' when approached with a rental offer from a telecommunication company. If you are not sure about the implications, then don't sign."
Government and Community web sites offering relevant information include the Australian Communications Authority (
http://internet.aca.gov.au/ACAINTER/) and the EMR Association of Australia (http://www.emraa.org.au/).