Questions for Hobart council

Here are two letters that John Matthewson wrote earlier this week concerning Telstra's phone tower.

The first - to the Hobart City Council - bluntly asks if the HCC properly followed planning guidelines in 2005 when council approved Telstra's initial tower application.

Residents say it was done without appropriate advertising or community consultation. There's been no answer yet from the council's general manager Brent Armstrong.


Subject: Mobile PHONE TOWER
17 Beach Road Sandown Park Sandy Bay

Date: Monday, 28 May 2007 11:52 AM
From: John Matthewson
To: Brent Armstrong Hobart City Council
Cc: Ald Ron Christie

Dear Mr Brent Armstrong
Would you please forward to me a copy of the original Telstra submission in relation to the Telstra Mobile Tower at 17 Beach Road Sandown Park on which the full council unanimously approved that project.

Also the date of that submission and all copies and dates of advertisements placed in The Mercury by the Hobart City Council.

In addition, the number of signs (purported) to have been erected, their dates of erection and removal and Mercury advertisements lodged by the Hobart City Council.

Also a copy of the letter sent to the only resident and the date that this was forwarded.

This request is being made by me in the interest of the concerned residents in this area, due to the lack of consultation by the Hobart City Council to those residents, that were denied their democratic right to have their say in relation to this project. In conclusion I did email Alderman Ron Christie in relation to my request and he suggested that this be passed to you in writing.

sincerely
John Matthewson.
Sandy Bay

John then wrote to the paper on 29th May

Letter to The Mercury
Editor
The Mercury

In response to the continued mantra from Telstra's Chris Althaus stating that there is no cause for health alarms due to exposure to the erection of mobile phone towers - I refer him to Telstra's failed obligation to consult with the community prior to the construction of this tower in Sandy Bay which is directly outside the door of a child care centre.

Further, residents in Hurstville Sydney were succesful in having a mobile tower removed in 2003 due to the inadequacy of the Australian Communications Authority to consult with them because it was close to a school - refer http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/08/1057430209500.html.

Also a new draft plan has been prepared by the Waverley City Council 28/07/98 following consideration of plans prepared Sutherland, Woollahra, Drummoyne, Marrickville & Ashfield Councils,because of the concerns of electromagnetic emissions near schools.

In conclusion, here is an item from the Brisbane Times 20/05/07 entitled St Lucia residents in Brisbane revolt over phone tower. This 'revolt' was due to Telstra flouting industry rules with plans to build a mobile phone tower in their inner Brisbane suburb.

John Matthewson.