Update from Installer

The installer has written back a lengthly letter which has addresses most of the concerns raised. You can read below.

As the consultation processed has finished now we are closing this petition and thank-you all for your support.

Some extracts of this letter provided to the questions we raised:

Regarding the design withdrawl in 2021:

Please be assured the withdrawal of the notification in late 2021 was not due to concerns from the Carriers regarding proposed EME levels. At the time, there was a request from community stakeholders for Vodafone to undertake additional notification for the planned upgrade.
Although Vodafone had met the requirements of the Deployment Code, it was decided the notification would be withdrawn, and additional notification would be undertaken when the site was re-notified, in order to provide greater visibility of the proposal and in response to
community concerns.

Regarding safety

Vodafone and Optus take the health and safety of the public seriously and act in accordance
with all Federal and State legislation and standards. In this regard:
• We can reassure you the site will continue to be compliant with Australian EME Standards and will operate at levels well below the allowable limits.
• These standards have wide safety margins designed to protect the community,
including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
• We have provided additional information below, however, please be assured the maximum predicted EME level at the Carrington Street Playground will be less than 2% following the upgrade (of the maximum limit being 100%).

EME levels are calculated as a ‘worst case scenario’ based on the maximum power the facility is capable of operating at – in reality, actual levels will generally be much lower. The facility also has the ability to reduce power when not in use.
In relation to your EME safety concerns, EME levels shown in the EME Report are all well below the limits set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). A site operating at 100% of the maximum limit is considered safe by the Federal
Government.
The current proposal is for a 5G upgrade to the site involving the installation of additional Vodafone and Optus 5G equipment and technologies. The proposed addition results in an
increase to the maximum EME levels from 2.22% to 8.03% as per the EME Report. This is well below the maximum EME limit of 100%.