About 70 “Cockshell Estate” residents braved the hot conditions on Saturday morning to attend a community meeting to express their concerns about the proposed telecommunications tower for the reserve on Hemaford Grove.

The community meeting was arranged by Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo as result of residents approaching him about the concerns they had about the proposal.

The proposal involves the construction of a 25 metre monopole with a building at its base.  It is proposed to be located on the south-eastern corner of the reserve near Marion Drive.

Mr Piccolo said the base was described as a jail by residents at the meeting, as it would have barbed wire along the top of the building.

The meeting was advised that the tower was designed to service the south eastern corner of the Gawler East development, namely the Springwood estate.

“Residents did question why a tower designed to serve an adjoining community had to be placed on the reserve within their estate”, said Mr Piccolo.

“The residents accept these towers have to go somewhere as everybody likes to use their mobile phone, but felt the company, OPTUS was picking the cheapest location, rather than the best location, taking into account the community’s needs.”

The proposal must go through two separate processes before it can proceed.  It must be approved by the Gawler Council’s independent Development Assessment Palan, under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act, and then has to be approved by the Gawler Council, in its capacity as the landowner.

Mr Piccolo said as the landowner, because the reserve is community land, council must consult with the community before it can alienate the land from community purposes.

Residents have formed a committee to co-ordinate a campaign to ensure their voices are heard, and decisionmakers hear their concerns.

Mr Piccolo said as the local Member of Parliament it was his role to help and support residents through the process.

“My job is to use my knowledge, skills and experience to ensure residents understand the processes involved and help them put their best case forward.”

Over the coming months residents plan to present deputations to the Gawler Council, hoping to convince them, as the landowner, to not allow the proposal to proceed.

At the meeting residents said they were happy to work with the proponents and council to find a site that met both their needs and interests of the community.

The meeting was told that the Council would be paid an annual lease if they approved it.

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