Harry and Annie Pidgeon, whose house is 70 metres away from the proposed site, are worried about tower for several reasons: the social and environmental aspects; the health affects; and the economic impacts.

The proposed location is around 100 metres away from the town’s playground and swimming pool area while the school and preschool are within 300 metres.

Mrs Pidgeon added that until there is definitive evidence about the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) transmissions, which the tower will emit constantly, she believes that the scientific precautionary principle should be evoked, in which action should be withheld where there are reasonable grounds for concern.

The Pidgeons are also concerned about the lack of public consultation to date and are critical about the Bundanoon Club putting financial gain ahead of their community responsibility.

Bundanoon Club Manager Peter Kellond said the matter was raised with members at the Club’s meeting a couple of months ago, but there had not yet been a formal proposal.

“We have signed a Heads of Agreement to allow Telstra to investigate the suitability of the site, but we are still waiting for their decision about where they want to position the tower,” Mr Kellond said.

He added that the dire state of the Club’s finances, and the need for better mobile reception in Bundanoon would mean that the Club will seriously consider any offer from Telstra to lease the land for the tower.

Area General Manager for Telstra, Pat Nolan, confirmed that the project is in its very early stages.

“We know there is a need to improve services in the town and the site at the Club is one under consideration. There has been no final decision made as to the location or design of the tower.”

In response to the Pidgeons’ comment that the tower would be better sited on a higher location away from the town, Mr Nolan said that the facility needs to close to the signal black spots.

Both Mr Nolan and Mr Kellond said that once Telstra has made a definite decision on leasing the site from the Club, the matter would then need to be submitted to Council and would be open to public debate.