A new concern for residents has arisen in the long-running war with telecommunication companies over the siting of mobile phone transmission installations.
The first mobile base station in the region to be placed on top of a power pole in a residential street, 10 metres away from homes, was installed in recent weeks at Connells Point.
A similar installation is proposed by Vodafone and Optus the same distance from houses in Ellesmere Road, Gymea Bay.
Sutherland Shire Council has thrown its full support behind residents objecting to the Gymea Bay installation.
Cr Kent Johns said it was the worst location he had ever seen for a mobile phone transmission installation.
Federal Treasurer and Cook MP Scott Morrison has written to federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield in support of residents.
The base station would have blades 2.8 metres high, on top of an existing 12 metre power pole.
It seems crazy to put one 10 metres from my bedroom window.
- Andrew Camfield
The move shocked Andrew Camfield and his wife Jacqui, who are particularly worried about the potential health impact on their three young children.
The couple bought the house 11 years ago and added a second story extension in 2016.
Mr Camfield said, through his job, he knew many firms had safety procedures in place for people working around mobile phone towers because of the perceived risk.
“It seems crazy to put one 10 metres from my bedroom window,” he said.
Mr Camfield said his research showed that of the 44 mobile phone stations – installed and proposed – between Cronulla and Kirrawee, 42 were not immediately next to homes.
“They are in places such as industrial areas, on top of shops and in or near parks and ovals,” he said.
“We are in no way against improved connectivity.
“We are bewildered that federal or state legislation doesn't provide for local councils to have a direct approval role in a proposal such as this.”
Connells Point residents began campaigning to stop the installation at the corner of Redin Place and Connells Point Road when it was proposed two years ago.
Bob Wood, of Connells Point Resident Action Group, said their concerns included radiation emissions, appearance and “the carte blanc arrangements all governments have with the telcos”.
”Our house has always been a bit of a black spot but we don’t care because we use our mobile phone sparingly,” he said.
Mr Wood admitted not all residents in the area agreed.
“We had a nasty letter from someone with poor reception, saying we are Luddites,” he said.
WHAT VODAFONE SAYS
A Vodafone spokeswoman said it was not uncommon for Australian carriers to site mobile facilities on utility poles, including power poles, in residential areas.
“The siting of mobile base stations is dependent on a number of factors, including the availability of locations in a particular area which would deliver the mobile coverage needed,” she said.
“Each site is different and while there are a number of sites in the St George and Sutherland areas located on utilities in suburban areas, there are currently no Vodafone sites in operation with these specific site characteristics.”
The spokeswoman said the Connels Point site would provide residents and businesses in the area with much-needed reliable mobile coverage.
“It will also provide a boost to coverage at the waterfront areas of Oyster Bay, Oatley, Kangaroos Point and Blakehurst,” she said.
“Due to the topography of the area, there were limited options for placement of this site in order to meet customer demand for services.
“This site was found to be the most suitable location to deliver the coverage needed in the area.
“By locating the site on existing infrastructure, we also avoid the need to build a new monopole structure in the area.
The spokeswoman said the Gymea Bay proposal was “to help meet growing customer demand for reliable mobile services in the Gymea Bay area”.
“The site would deliver improved voice and high speed data services to Gymea Bay, and also boost coverage to the northern peninsula of Grays Point and the south-western side of Yowie Bay,” she said.
Asked whether there would be an expansion of mobile base stations on power poles in suburban streets, the spokeswoman said, “When expanding and improving our network, we consider a number of criteria”.
“The primary aim is to find the site which delivers the best possible coverage, while balancing any concerns of the community.
“Each site has different requirements and we'll continue to seek out the most suitable locations to deliver the best possible services to customers.”
The spokeswoman said current research, including from the World Health Organization, indicated there was no established health effects from the low exposure to the RF EME (radiofrequency electromagnetic energy) from mobile phone base station antennas.
“There are strict regulatory requirements and health standards all telecommunications operators must adhere to in relation to the design, siting and operation of mobile facilities. We are complying with all our obligations,” she said.
