Dereel

I have talked with our regional managers in Optus and Telstra to find out what they think on this matter.

Both Optus and Telstra admit that Dereel is in dire need of a mobile phone tower and that they have both on different occasions in the course of the last few years tried to install towers but sadly there was no community support and the projects were axed. Optus and Telstra have told me that they are willing to share a tower to reduce the impact on our community but that we as a community need to tell them where we would like it installed. I can understand that people have fears about installing a tower right beside the playground at the community centre so the ball is in our court to decide where we would like our tower.

We also need a handfull of people from the community to write letters of support for a mobile tower being installed in Dereel. Currently the only letters that Optus and Telstra have received are letters against the tower which I am sure is not an accurate cross section of our community. Of the over 700 people residing in Dereel a handful of misinformed people are blocking our ability to have a tower and all the benefits that come with it (mobile reception, wireless broadband internet, etc.)

Add your comments below about where you think it's best to install a mobile tower and if you're willing to write a letter of support please state it in the comments and I will contact you with details on where to send the letter.

The world is full of smart people in white coats who have equipment for measuring what the real effects electromagnetic radiation might have on the human body. In 20 years of research not a single reputable study has found any adverse health effects. In that same 20 year period the phones have become more efficient, use less power and the usage patterns are now radically changed. A lot of the time now phones are being used away from the head while the phone is used to send SMS's or to look up information on the internet.

The World Health Organisation is one such organisation who have extensively looked into this issue, and here is two of their findings that I encourage you to read:

• "A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been established for mobile phone use." - Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones


• "in reality no adverse health effect has been found in any published human study on the effects of mobile phones." - Health Effects of Mobile Phone Base-stations: Human Studies

If you are given studies whose findings are counter to the above findings then I strongly urge you to check the credentials of those funding or running the studies. You will find in 100% of cases they are funded by or run by those who have already convinced themselves that electromagnetic radiation is bad and will not listen to any other point of view - their fear has robbed them of their reason and it's any wonder their findings back up their fears. On the other hand the World Health Organisation is a well respected independent body with no allegiance to any country or corporation and they employ the best scientists in the world. Who should you believe?

Many studies have been made on the claims made by people who say they are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. Not a single study has been able to show that these people are suffering from a real ailment. You can read all about it on wikipedia. We shouldn't let this unfounded fear stop Dereel having a mobile phone tower. I agree that the original location at the CFA building next to the children's playground was not ideal but I'm sure we as a community can find a good alternate location.

If for nothing else we need this tower for our own safety, we are listed as a community at high risk of being destroyed by a major bush fire and we don't have a designated evacuation point. If we add to that not having any mobile phone coverage it's a recipe for disaster.