Wolumla NBN satellite station gets go-ahead

The Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) has approved a development application for construction of a facility on part of Lot 3, Wanatta Lane, Wolumla.

The NBN Co’s proposal was given the green light by the panel at Thursday night’s meeting at the Bega Valley Shire Council chambers.

Around 20 people attended including representatives from NBN Co, Bega Valley Shire Mayor Bill Taylor and Bega Valley Shire Ratepayers Association member John Richardson.

Local residents were given the opportunity to air their concerns about the facility.

On Friday, JRPP chairwoman Pam Allan said the panel was happy to approve the construction after listening to concerns of the local community.

The proposal includes the installation of four antennas, the construction of an unsealed accessed road, roads within the site, an administration building and car park area.

However, there was one adjustment to the proposal, with the facility to be painted white, in accordance with NBN Co’s recommendation.

Ms Allan said it was a “proud” and “significant” decision made by the panel.

“It’s a good decision and it will put Wolumla on the map,” she said.

“By 2015, broadband will be delivered to regional areas.

“The panel has reviewed the development application and has concluded that the proposal is in the best interests of the community.”

A number of concerns were raised at the meeting by local residents, including the potential danger with the operation of the nearby Central Waste Facility.

Cassie McBean said she was worried because it “feels like it’s a done deal”.

“The residents aren’t given any other option, except this is how it’s going to be,” she said.

“This will affect people, not just the bottom pocket.”

Ms McBean said she was also concerned about the effectiveness of NBN Co’s technology.

“This is technology that will be out of date very shortly… this is real people you are affecting.”

Fellow resident Don Bilton inquired about the exact location of the satellite station.

Mr Bilton said at a meeting with NBN Co at the Wolumla Town Hall last year, he believed the proposed location would be in a wetland.

“Is this the exact spot its going to be in as shown at the Wolumla Town Hall,” he asked.

Mr Bilton, who lives nearby to the proposed location, also asked “if this goes ahead, will they guarantee my property value won’t plummet?”

Mr Richardson raised a number of issues, but mostly focused on the location of the Central Waste Facility.

He believed the station was a “burden placed on ratepayers which is unreasonable”, also suggesting it should be relocated.

NBN Co was represented by Matt Dawson and Scott Eyefield, while Chris Outersides from City Planning, consultants for NBN Co, also attended.

Mr Outersides said eight of the 10 proposed NBN CO satellite earth stations across Australia had been approved.

He said a rigorous process had been undertaken already, but from a holistic point of view, “every site is different”.

According to Mr Outersides, the 10 locations were selected beause they have a “certain radius of space”.

Mr Eyefield said a number of locations had been looked at for the Wolumla satellite station.

He said an independent expert report compiled by EMC Technologies the maximum electromagnetic energy (EME) level at the Wolumla site was .00542 per cent below the Australian Radioactive Authority standard.

Mr Eyefield then assured residents the satellite dishes would be pointed away from the community.

After listening to these views from both concerned residents and NBN Co, the panel approved the station.

JRRP member Alison McCabe said she had been to the Wolumla site numerous times and could understand the community’s concerns.

However, Ms McCabe said she could see the station would provide “broader benefits to rural Australia”.

Fellow panel member Allen Greenwood added the nearby Central Waste Facility would provide “no threat” to the satellite earth station.

Later, Ms Allen said “environmental assessment studies show that the proposed facility will have no adverse health impact upon the surrounding locality and will comply with the most stringent environmental noise criteria”.

She said the proposal was referred to the regional panels because the development has a value exceeding $5million, is to be undertaken on council-owned land and is a telecommunications facility.