Neighbours air 5G concerns

By Deanne Jeffers

RESIDENTS of Lakeview Place in Mooroopna have rallied to oppose telecommunications infrastructure to be built onto an existing GV Water tank on Echuca Road.

Currently, the electromagnetic energy (EME) calculated for existing systems at this site is 0.36 percent out of 100 percent of the public exposure limit, 215m from the location. According to an Environmental EME Report produced by visionstream in June 2022, this will increase to 2.39 percent 100m from the site with the proposed changes.

The new infrastructure will improve network coverage, providing Telstra customers with 5G connection.

Graeme Parish, who has expressed the residents’ concerns in a letter published on page 10, believes any increase in EME levels is unacceptable.

“An increase of radiation six times the current level is an act of abuse of the residents who may be exposed for the next 20 or more years,” he said.

Telstra’s regional general manager for Victoria, Jenny Gray, said, “Telstra is looking to improve the capacity and coverage of our mobile network in the Mooroopna North area by adding a base station to the Goulburn Water Tank. There are antennas from other mobile carriers currently located on this site.

“The reason for the upgrade is to provide a better service for the newly developing residential areas being established nearby.

“Telstra is still in the early stages of planning and will be working with the local council in terms of necessary development approvals and community consultation. If this site is ultimately approved, we hope the site will be up and running and providing new coverage in 2024,” said Ms Gray.

“At Telstra we take our responsibilities international students are on track to enrol in courses across its eight campuses in essential areas like teaching, nursing, allied health, dentistry, pharmacy and more. of regarding the health and safety of our communities very seriously. We know that some people are genuinely concerned about the in their opposition to new have on a water in to proximity to possible health effects from electromagnetic energy (EME) and we rely on scientific advice, not only from our own local experts, but also from international researchers such as the World Health Organisation. Their advice is that ‘there is no evidence that exposure to low level EME is harmful to human health.’”

Graeme affirmed, “We ask that council advise that those involved in the proposal invest some of their massive profits in building a tower outside of and well away from any residential area, thereby achieving their desired outcome with no risk to residents.”

Visionstream, now known as Ventia, was approached for comment and none was received by the time of publishing.