The State Government will be asked to include the future location of telecommunications towers in all future code amendments for residential developments as a means of building greater harmony between communities and mobile phone towers.
Speaking at the Hemaford Grove, Gawler East community meeting on Saturday morning, local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said the retro fitting of telecommunications tower always generates a great deal of conflict.
“While everyone acknowledges that we all like to use mobile phones which need towers to be erected around the various areas, their installation near existing homes always generate a hostile reaction,” said Mr Piccolo.
“These concerns could easily be shrugged aside as NIMBYism, but the reality is many people buy a home in areas that are visually very attractive.”
“And the telecommunications towers are anything but attractive.”
“People invest their life savings into their homes, so their adverse reactions are understandable.”
Mr Piccolo said what we need to do, is to ensure that we have a viable communications system that lives in harmony with the people and community around them.
“The answer must include up front plans for locations where they are needed in the future, and then people can choose to live near a tower or not,” said Mr Piccolo.
“Under the current system, people don’t have a choice, and feel frustrated and angry about the way they feel powerless to do anything.”
“People feel disempowered to the point that it affects their physical and mental health.”
“That outcome is not good for anybody, as people become increasingly distrustful of telecommunications carriers and governments at all levels.
Mr Piccolo said he will be writing to the Minister for Planning, the Hon Nick Champion asking him to explore the feasibility of including telecommunications infrastructure in current proposed and future residential code amendments.
“Ideally, it would be great if a statewide code amendment could be undertaken to ensure all future residential developments factor in telecommunications infrastructure.”
“This approach would recognise the need for the towers, and at the same time ensure they are placed where they do not create community conflict and disharmony.”
Residents around the Hemaford Grove Reserve, in Gawler East are currently in a dispute with OPTUS who want to retrofit a telecommunications tower in the reserve next to existing homes and a playground.