Dereel

We've just found a dog which came to our property in Kleins Road (just west of the lagoon). He's a friendly bloke, and he looks a little like a Jack Russell. No identification. Photos here. If you know him, please contact me at 5346 1370.

Greg

I've been reading up on past VCAT hearings about communications towers that have been objected to by residents claiming "visual impact" and "health concerns". They can be found via the AustLII search page (search for "communications tower" or "telecommunications facility"). You will be pleased to hear that VCAT consistently approves the towers, four key points I see repeated are:

1. There is strong State policy support for improved telecommunications facilities if, when balancing improved telecommunications services with environmental (including visual) impact, a particular proposal provides a net community benefit.


2. The Commonwealth communications regulator adopts radiations standards established by ARPANSA. The Tribunal has consistently held it must apply this standard.


3. The impact on adjacent land is not unreasonable.


4. The facility has a net community benefit and is an acceptable planning outcome.

 

I find it difficult to believe that the very few objectors in our community will in any way be able to stop our communications tower being built. If you're interested I suggest reading the VCAT hearing regarding the Haddon telecommunications facility that was built recently in our shire.

I've just become aware of a new NBN rollout map. It shows not only the current state of the rollout, but also the planned coverage. Enter "Dereel" to see the situation here. It seems that the term "work commenced" includes the work that the NBN people have done to get the project rolling: for Dereel, "work" started in July 2011.

More importantly, though, not all of Dereel will be covered according to this map. I'm OK, and even Progress Road is marginally covered, but coverage stops just down Rokewood Junction Road. It's worth taking a look.

Greg

I attended the ordinary council meeting held in Bannockburn Shire Hall yesterday and can happily confirm that the planning application for our tower (P11-334) was approved unanimously (without any fuss or objection). Not a single objector bothered to attend the meeting. This decision of course could be disputed via VCAT (as Greg mentioned in a previous post) but it is extremely unlikely that VCAT would rule against our council's decision as it was both fair and legal. At worst a VCAT hearing may delay construction of our tower by a few months.

To any objectors reading this posting (all 5 of you): you may wish to think very carefully before lodging a VCAT application, from the VCAT website they state the following:

[...] costs are more frequently given to the successful party in unjustified applications for enforcement orders, requests to cancel or amend a permit and applications for declarations. Examples of cases where an order for costs may be made are where it can be proved that the proceedings have been brought vexatiously, frivolously, or where the case for the application or request is misconceived, weak on the relative merits or not tenable in fact or law. Private persons bringing such applications or requests should consider the desirability of taking professional advice beforehand.

It is my opinion that your objection is vexatious, frivolous, misconceived, weak on merits and not tenable in fact or law and could easily result in you not only losing your case but being required to pay costs of all parties. You may wish to sleep on this fact before lodging any VCAT applications. Just my 2c.

On Tuesday the Golden Plains Shire Council will decide on whether to approve the planning application for the NBN communications tower. I have little doubt that it will be approved, and if there are no further objections, the tower could be up and running by the end of June.

But that seems unlikely. The "Dereel Anti-Tower Alliance" is likely to complain to the VCAT. I have little doubt that here, too, the complaint will be dismissed, but only after about 6 months. In that time we will have the same old network and telephone service.

How much will that cost us? For me, it's about $730. See my diary for more details. Nearly 100 households answered in favour of the tower; many more will benefit by it. So: do the sums. How much will the NBN save you? How much of these savings will you lose because of people tilting at windmills?

Greg