Optus tower at Llanberris: residents fight

GOLDEN Point residents are up in arms over a planned Optus telecommunications tower at Llanberris Reserve.The residents believe the tower would be better sited in a Ballarat East semi-industrial site, away from children’s sporting activities.Although the tower is yet to get Ballarat City Council’s go-ahead, an Optus sub-contractor has already carried out underground cabling works on-site, which council’s chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said were illegal. Resident Garry Anderson said residents were opposed to the tower because of health concerns.“This is a piece of technology that we’re not sure about yet so don’t place it near kids,” Mr Anderson said.“It’s a poor choice by Optus which is bad for the many families in the area and users of the athletics track and netball centre.”Fellow resident Tim McKeegan said the vast majority of Ballarat schools used Llanberris Reserve.“We don’t want it there at all. It’s not a suitable site given it’s a recreation reserve,” Mr McKeegan said.“We understand telecommunications and information are part of our life now but there are still some studies out there that suggest the phone tower issue is an unknown. “We’re just taking offence to where it is. It’s on our doorsteps and on a place where we have kids all the time.”Mr Anderson said Optus’ original preferred site was in a semi-industrial area near Stawell Street, Ballarat East, which had since become available.“We would be very happy if they took the option and moved it to that site where there is less chance of problems.”Eight residents — who only found out about the tower two months ago — submitted questions at Ballarat City Council’s meeting last Wednesday night.A mediation meeting was also held on May 9 at which Mr Schinck said council was “in the process of determining what action can be taken given this unacceptable occurrence” in relation to the cabling works.If given the go-ahead, the tower will be placed about 10 metres from the running track, close to the 200 metre start.At the mediation meeting, Optus said the nearest house would be 100 metres away from the tower.The company said about 30 sites had been considered but only two examined in detail.Optus also said electromagnetic radiation had been in the environment for more than 100 years, and there was no conclusive evidence the towers caused health problems.Optus said the tower would be largely shielded from view by its height, the location and the existing vegetation around Llanberris Reserve.