Residents object proposed cell phone tower

Astra Park residents are objecting the proposed erection of a cell phone tower in their neighbourhood. Whitfield Drive resident, Joan Stewart said notification of a 36 metre lattice cellphone mast that is planned to be erected in the residential area on a church site at 2 Whitfield Drive was only hand delivered to her house on Wednesday, 19 June with a deadline on 15 July to submit their objections.

“Notification was sent via registered post and only collected after we received the notification on 19 June. I went into the municipal office on 21 June to start collating information,” said Joan. “We have been stone-walled at the municipality to get information to work from – it is a matter of only viewing documents, which slows down the entire process of arguing the points needed to be raised.

“We have emailed the applicant for information and nothing has been forthcoming, which is a worry, considering we only have until 15 July to object in two separate locations, the municipality and applicant.”

Joan said she printed 44 four-page documents, at her own cost, to make her neighbours aware of the proposed tower. “As people work, we are not sure how many people have actually gone to the post office to receive the official registered letter. We are concerned and we need to fight this.”

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“After much online research, we have discovered that after about six to 10 years, cases of cancer have occurred in some people. Children spend holidays within the grounds of the church. What long term effects would this impose on the child, not forgetting children living in the immediate surroundings that will be exposed seven days a week?” asked Joan.

“The microwaves from these towers may interfere with your body’s own electro magnetic field (EMF), suspected of causing a variety of potential health problems, including headaches, memory loss, cardiovascular stress, low sperm count, birth defects and cancer. New technology has not been properly tested and European countries are banning these towers in certain regions because the effects of high microwave radiation are unknown. Wildlife, insects and birds in the region may also be affected, along with pets.

“Homes next to the tower will be devalued. Why erect one in the neighbourhood when open land is available on the hills close by to small business developments? Having this tower close to us will also bring an inherent element of criminality, as there have been many attempts by armed men trying to steal batteries from these towers. There are syndicates of people doing this everyday.

“They no longer rolling out fibre optic as promised, by instead fast-tracking setting up these masts and towers, not knowing the consequence to health or impairment on individuals, especially in the case of 5G, which will most likely be added to the tower within the near future,” said Joan.

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The elder board said the church was approached by the service provider to erect the tower on Erf 1295, and after a discussion with members, agreed to lease a portion of its property. “The agreement of the lease was subject to the service provider obtaining all the necessary permission from the municipality and neighbours,” it said. “We understand that there are divided opinions on the matter and are willing to allow the community around us to determine the way forward.

Some of the community desire faster internet speeds, and a better-quality cell service, all in the name of technological advancement, which this tower will provide. Others are concerned about their property prices and potential health risks. We were assured the tower does not carry health risks, and it was also placed at the furthest part of our property.

“As a church we relied on the advice of outside sources and agreed at least to not stand in the way and wait for the community to decide the way forward. This proposed project is not fate accompli, and all correspondence, such as notices on our boundary fence and registered mail, has stated that all the various stakeholders have until 15 July to share their views, and we welcome this community discussion. Grace Baptist has been a servant to the community for the past 32 years and we will continue to serve the best interests of the entire community.”

The public can send objections by hand to: The regional co-ordinator, south region, land use management branch, first floor, 11 Gracedale Road, Winklespruit; by registered post to: PO Box 680, Durban 4000; via fax to: 031-311-5833; via email to: Wesley.seekola@durban.gov.za (office contact number: 031-311-5834).

Objections must also be forwarded to the applicant, 35 Island Circle, River Horse Valley, Durban, 4017 or posted to PO BOX 6596, Zimbali, 4418. Applicant’s contact: 031-536-4422, 083-650-7496, akshay@triplo4.com.

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