Residents rally over telco tower proposal, take 2

Freeman Trebilcock and Jill Kuramoto at the stall on Saturday. 

Woombye residents are mobilising in response to a fresh application for a  telecommunications tower at 1-9 Campbell Street, the same site that sparked some controversy in 2021. 

The previous application for a 40m tower was withdrawn by the developer after significant community opposition, with residents arguing the location was unsuitable. Despite this initial victory, the developer has resubmitted an application for a 31m tower under a different guise.

To raise awareness and encourage community participation, residents Jill Kuramoto, Joanne Kupiak, Freeman Trebilcock and Lesli Knetter hosted an information stall outside SPAR on Saturday morning.

They hoped the initiative would galvanise residents to attend an upcoming WCBA meeting and voice their opinions. “The community’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining the fate of the proposed telecommunications tower and preserving the character of Woombye,” said Lesli.

“There has been no attempt by the applicant to engage with the community, again! The proposed location is in a known flood zone and in a riparian protection area. The block of land is owned by people who reside in Brisbane. The telecommunications code fails to differentiate when rural zoned land is immediately adjacent to urban areas as is the case in this instance.”

Not enough research 

Meanwhile, a medical trainee living in Woombye said he held fears for his family because of the proximity of the proposed tower. “My main objection is the potential long term health impacts to those of us who have homes so close to the tower,” said Freeman Trebilcock.  “I have concerns for myself, my partner and our young family being located within 180m of the proposed tower, and only 18m below the height of the antenna. The science is clear that high amounts of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) are harmful to health.   

The Woombye Community and Business Association (WCBA) had yet to formally declare its position but planned to assess community sentiment at last night’s scheduled meeting (February 20).