Cell mast in Rynfield draws objections
Vukani Infrastructure applied to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality for building plan approval for the mast and base station to be placed on the Rand Dairy’s premises.
Residents still have time to object to a 30-metre yellowwood monopole cellphone mast being erected for Atlas Pty Ltd, at 5 Davey Street, Rynfield.
Affected residents officially have 28 days from October 31 and 28 days from receipt of a registered letter to lodge their objections, according to attorney for the objection Paton Dennison.
The applicant of the mast is Vukani Infrastructure Planning Services Inc, which has been appointed by Atlas Pty Ltd.
Vukani Infrastructure applied to the Ekurhuleni metro for Building Plan approval for the mast and base station to be placed on the Rand Dairy premises.
Anyone who objects to the approval of the application must lodge the objection and their reason in writing to the area manager: EMM building control division (49 Kempston Avenue), and the applicant (pp@infraplan.co.za) with the reference: ATGA186.
Several residents voiced their concerns about the mast being erected in close proximity to a residential area and two schools.
Benjamin Erasmus, who lives next door to where the mast may be erected, said his family has put up with the following over the past 44 years they have lived there:
• Noise of the dogs barking at the workmen at night from Rand Dairy loading trucks and shifting crates.
• Refrigeration compressors noisily stopping and starting continuously all day.
• The fuel and exhaust fumes from their own and other delivery trucks.
“Now our clear and visible open skies where we spend our last retirement days in our garden will be overshadowed by this unsightly structure,” he said.
Gerry Kramer, who is the coordinator of the objection, said having a mast in the residential area also affects real estate.
“Buyers won’t buy at market-related prices, which means sellers cannot sell at market-related prices,” he said.
Dennison, from the PJD Law Firm, made mention of the World Health Organisation stating that radiation can cause cancer.
“There are about 2 000 children in two schools nearby, St Dunstan’s Preparatory and College and Laerskool Rynfield, who should not run the risk of cancer because of the radiation.
“It seems like residents are considered just a statistic.”
Kramer added: “If the mast increases radiation, as a grandparent I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
Don Jones, from St Dunstan’s College, said the school has the responsibility to stand up for what is ethically correct, not just for their learners, but for the residents.
“We have even suggested to the applicant that the mast be placed in alternate locations to avoid the close proximity to community members, but it was not considered,” he explained.
DA interim councillor for the area Jordan Lotriet said the voices of the community must be heard.
The City Times asked Vukani for comment and was referred to their client, Atlas Pty Ltd, who referred us to the Ekurhuleni metro, and we are awaiting comment from the metro.
Rand Dairy was also contacted but denied to comment at this stage
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