THE Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup has given planning consent for the erection of a mobile phone base station at Lot 122 South Western Highway in Balingup.

According to the agenda from last week’s ordinary council meeting, the tower is intended to provide coverage, capacity and call quality to Balingup and its hinterland, to dwellings within the townsite and for people using the South Western Highway.

The proposal includes the installation of a 60-metre telecommunication guyed mast and equipment shelter in a fenced compound.

Planning consent was sought because the land was zoned “general farming – pastoral,” with the proposed use of the site considered a “use not listed”.

The erection of a mobile phone tower in Balingup has been contentious for years, highlighted particularly by communications difficulties during the Bridgetown and Ferndale fires earlier this year.

A number of submissions were lodged against the proposed location, with people expressing concerns about electro-magnetic energy levels (EMEs), the structure’s visual impact, the adverse effect on property values, proximity to the town and whether a more suitable site could be found.

There were also submissions in favour of the proposal, listing the potential for mobile phone reception to save lives as one of the most important issues.

Telstra’s southern WA general manager Ray Phelps attended the council meeting to answer questions.

He said that the research into EMEs through the World Health Organisation and Australian bodies showed that the radiation from mobile phone towers was below one per cent of the minimum recommendation of EMEs, making it insignificant in relation to the recommendations.

Other potential sites had been looked at, he said.

Telstra had done thorough research on each one and indicated why they selected the proposed site.

“The main alternative we were looking at was where the current police communications are,” Mr Phelps said.