DOZENS of concerned community members braved the hot weather on Saturday, January 13 to discuss a phone tower development proposed for Hemaford Grove Reserve.
The development application, proposed by telecommunications infrastructure company Indara, seeks to erect a 25m monopole on the reserve.
If it went ahead, the phone tower would host Optus mobile 5G coverage to service Gawler East and surrounding areas.
Residents living near the reserve have come out in force to oppose the proposal, with more than 50 attending a community meeting hosted by Member for Light Tony Piccolo to discuss how to fight the application.
During the meeting, residents heard about the process and work that goes into fighting such a development application.
Residents raised issues around how the tower would affect the area in terms of its look and noise output, and potential health problems as a result of the tower’s emissions.
Gawler East resident Tanya Ramsey helped lead the meeting and said it was a very good turn out from the community.
“There’s a whole group of people that don’t understand what this is about and probably haven’t seen the actual proposal,” Ms Ramsey said.
“That’s what we were offering with that community meeting, was the ability to learn something and if you choose to like it or not like it, that’s up to you.”
Ms Ramsey said she knew there would be differing opinions on the tower and whether or not to fight the proposal, but the important thing was the community was armed with as much knowledge as possible.
“Not everyone understands the whole process, some people just think it’s a tower so it’s going up,” she said.
“We have to keep everybody informed so they can make their own decision on whether they think it’s worth being there or not.
“We’re now looking at a central way that we can get all the information out.”
Mr Piccolo said residents were very concerned around the proposed location of the tower, which is just off Marion Drive.
“Residents did question why a tower designed to serve an adjoining community had to be placed on the reserve within their estate”, Mr Piccolo said.
“The residents accept these towers have to go somewhere as everybody likes to use their mobile phone, but felt the company, Optus, was picking the cheapest location, rather than the best location taking into account the community’s needs.”
In order to organise their fight against the proposed tower, Mr Piccolo said residents had formed a committee to coordinate their campaign and it was his job to help them through the process.
“My job is to use my knowledge, skills and experience to ensure residents understand the processes involved and help them put their best case forward,” he said.