Vodafone and Optus are proposing to erect a 25-metre telephone monopole at Taylors Hill reserve despite a similar plan being defeated a decade ago.
Taylors Hill residents vehemently objected to a planning application by Telstra for a monopole at the same location 10 years ago, with former Watts ward councillor Justin Mammarella heading that campaign.
“We understand there is no proof [monopoles] cause cancer but they haven’t been able to disprove it either,” Mr Mammarella said last week.
“My argument [at the time] was a moral one. The reality is these things should not be close to houses. Why build it in someone’s backyard?”
At the time, more than 500 residents signed a petition objecting to the plan.
A spokesperson for Vodafone said demand for mobile services in the area had grown.
“This proposed facility would meet demand for improved coverage and faster data speeds,” the spokesperson said.
“The site has been identified as the most suitable to deliver the best coverage for local residents.”
Optus said its mobile phone coverage at Taylors Hill needs improving, and it “considered this an appropriate location, given existing infrastructure and the use of land”.
But Mr Mammarella objected to the telecommunication companies’ statements, saying “we’re happy for our phones not to work as well but I’m speaking to you now and it’s clear as day”.
“Even those residents who weren’t going to be affected by the monopole [10 years ago] objected to it,” he said.
Furious residents said they cannot understand why the council is considering an application that was rejected 10 years ago.
When Star Weekly asked whether Melton council would reject the application if there was enough support, planning and environment manager Bob Baggio said it was “not possible to preempt a future council decision”.
“That application [by Telstra] was by a different operator and more than 10 years ago,” Mr Baggio said. “All applications need to be afforded due process.”
Stavroulas Singh, who built her family home at Exhibition Parade in 2005, said she would not have moved to the area if she had known of a monopole being erected.
“If you’re on your mobile phone, you have the option of using your headset, so you’re not exposing yourself to a significant level of radiation.
“The volume that’s coming out of those towers – that’s not something we can control,” Ms Singh said.
“Monopoles aren’t something we thought we would have in our backyards.”
Councillor Lara Carli said concerned residents had contacted her also and she was seeking information from council officers in regards to the application.
Submissions and objections must be received by Friday, May 29.
