Psted 23/9/11
Ricard Willingham
September 20, 2011 - 12:00AM
COMMNITIES will get a greater say in the erection of new mobile phone towers, including being able to appeal their construction, if independent MP Andrew Wilkie gets his way.
Mr Wikie yesterday introduced a private members bill to Parliament that would prevent telecommunications companies classifying new towers as ''low impact'' to avoid state and local planning laws.
The pln would also require mandatory consultation with people living within 500 metres of proposed towers, and extend the objection period from 10 to 30 business days. Currently only the owner or occupier of the land where a tower is planned must be notified.
Telcos,Mr Wilkie said, would also be banned from extending the size and capacity of towers under the guise of maintenance.
The Austalian Communications and Media Authority can grant permits to allow carriers to install high-impact facilities that have not been granted planning approval by state or local planning authorities.
Mr Wilkies bill would ensure these permits are only issued in genuinely extraordinary circumstances. Communities will also be able to appeal an installation
''There mut be a fundamental balance in this debate between the public interest in having fast and reliable mobile communications on the one hand and the public interest in not having inappropriate and hastily planned developments … on the other,'' Mr Wilkie said.
''For too lng this balance has been skewed in favour of telecommunications companies, who under current legislation have carte blanche to place new telecommunications facilities essentially wherever they please.''
This story as found at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/tower-objectors-may-get-to-make-call-20110919-1khzc.html