ALGA lodges submission on telco legislation

The Australian Local Government Association has lodged a submission with a Federal Parliamentary Committee inquiring into legislation that aims to increase the obligations on telco carriers to consult and notify residents of installation and maintenance activities.

The submission has been lodged with the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications. The committee is conducting an inquiry into the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Community Consultation) Bill 2011 introduced to Parliament last year by independent MP, Andrew Wilkie.

ALGA’s submission does not address the specific provisions of the bill – it is based on views expressed by local government associations and council representatives at successive National General Assemblies for Local Government on the need for improved planning for all telco infrastructure over the past decade.

It says the location and number of mobile base stations – and their potential health risks to schools and day care centres – has caused a great deal of concern to councils and communities.

The submission says for many years, local government has argued that telecommunications infrastructure should be subject to planning and development regulations to ensure the deployment of mobile base stations takes into account health, environmental and visual considerations.

It says, however, that councils are aware of the balance needed between the growing demand for phone coverage and data capacity, and the community’s wish to be properly consulted on the positioning of infrastructure. ALGA’s submission can be accessed here.

Sourced From: LGNews