Monday 9 March A towerless NBN for Maleny Jim Straker

Transcription

1 Monday 9 March 2015 A towerless NBN for Maleny Jim Straker

2 Who are we? Representatives of communities from Cambroon, Crystal Waters, Conondale, Witta, Reesville, North Maleny, South Maleny We are very supportive of SCC s position of improved communications for better business and lifestyle. However, this should be provided in a manner that is : safe for residents, flora and wildlife and is compatible with SCC s image tourism, green

3 Jim Straker Richard Giles May McCool Jeremy Billington Berkley Foote Phil Simmons Kim Straker Who are we?

4 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

5 Aims for presentation Make you aware of the NBN rollout technologies Demonstrate that NBN s approach and proposal for the hinterlands is different from that in the population centres Explain the implications of the NBN approach in the hinterland areas General information about microwaves in our society

6 NBN Co A government company Undertaking a government project Under government set of standards ARPANSA To a government timeline and budget But, NBN Co. is there as a service provider to the public

7 NBN s Technology Rollout Using three technologies in the SCC region Fibre to premises (FTTP) or fibre to nodes (FTTN)and then copper cables Wireless towers utilising microwave radiation Satellite

8 Issues for our communities Visual amenity in an important semi-rural area Impact on tourism a critical Council wide economic driver Reduction in property values Proliferation of towers in the region Long term health issues

9 Issues for our communities Why microwave towers? Alternative delivery methods are available using existing infrastructure Quality of service in areas prone to weather conditions that affect it Long term health impact on residents, flora & fauna Impacts on primary industries crops, bees & cattle

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11 SCC Planning Scheme Recognises that there are issues Telecommunications Facility Code Distances from sensitive areas Scenic Overlays PO2 The telecommunications facility is integrated with its natural, rural or townscape setting and is not visually dominant or obtrusive

12 SCC Planning Scheme In partial fulfilment of Performance Outcome PO2 AO2.1 The telecommunications facility:- (c) is unobtrusive when viewed from any scenic route identified on a Scenic Amenity Overlay Map

13 SCC Planning Scheme However, the NBN microwave towers relate only to their local connected properties They are not available for the general public access as are phone towers This should be given more local consideration under the Telecommunications Facility Code These DAs will be first towers under the SCC Planning Scheme

14 SCC Planning Scheme Recognises future development areas Precinct, North Maleny, Walkers Creek & West Maleny How could NBN propose towers to service these areas and still meet the SCC Codes in the future?

15 7 possible sites (based on NBN letters to landowners) & 1 existing site

16 24 towers here with 11 in SCC

17 Description of technologies There are a few items that will relate to all technologies: Service is provided to one point in each property Householder or business has to decide how they will distribute phone and NBN through their property NBN is a wholesaler to the Internet Service Providers used by all of us

18 Fibre to premises or fibre to nodes and then copper cables This approach will be used in 93% of Australian properties (maybe 50% in the hinterlands) Everyone must connect to NBN system for landline phone and NBN When NBN connected, then unused fibre / copper will be disconnected

19 Wireless towers using microwave radiation (1) This approach will be used in 4% of Australian properties (maybe 40% in the hinterlands) Microwave signal is about the same frequency as used in a microwave oven Signal to and from tower is through an external antenna on each property

20 Wireless towers using microwave radiation (2) Each tower services a specific set of properties (125 to 400) Note: Fibre /copper cable will remain in use option to retain use for ADSL & landline Question: Why use towers when an upgrade of existing system can provide reasonable service?

21 Wireless towers using microwave radiation (3) Each tower = 40 m high (12 storey building) Can have additional 5 m added for other low impact use without additional approval from SCC ~ 2700 towers proposed for Australia > 30 in SCC area WHO has declared microwaves as Class 2B carcinogen

22 Woombah in NSW Domination of skyline Highest structure in Maleny is the water

23 Satellite This approach will be used in 3% of Australian properties (maybe 10% in the hinterlands) Signal to and from satellite is via an external dish No capacity on existing satellite new one proposed for September 2015 but it is already overcommitted for SCC area

24 Satellite beams 20 is Sunshine Coast

25 NBN service quality Government has advised NBN of their expectations set minimums Standard & Quality of service are paramount NBN Co has proposed their own Fixed line up to 100 /40 Mbps Tower up to 12/1 or 25/5 Mbps Satellite up to 6/1 or 12/1 Mbps

26 Insurance Lloyds of London & A.M. Best consider dangers from microwave radiation to be critical to human wellbeing Advised insurance companies not to insure against damages to health cell phones, antennas, smart meters Risk is uninsurable

27 Presentation break Any questions so far? Can SCC advise where existing Fibre cables are?

28 Health & long term safety Health issues of concern include: cancer leukaemia autism ADHD behavioural issues fertility Electrohypersensitivity (EHS)

29 Health & long term safety Health & long term safety from microwaves NOT proven by NBN Intergenerational issues embryo damage and sperm damage Impacts on birds, insects and animals known but not adequately considered Occupational Health & Safety

30 NBN relies on ARPANSA Standard Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Standard reissued 2014 but based on selective data published up to August 2012 Generally addresses thermal effects heating of body <1 o C Little attention given to concerns about long term biological effects

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32 References Staggering amount of information about risks is available Reference sheet & CD available The Force Lyn Mc Lean Bees, birds and mankind Destroying nature by Electrosmog BioInitiative 2012 report Electrosmog in the environment

33 Electro hypersensitivity Recognised by WHO as illness Recognised in Sweden, Canada EHS people are affected by laptops, WIFI, powerlines, DECT phones, mobiles Possibly to be largest medical issue in coming times Estimated to affect 3 to 5% of population at present and rising

34 Australian medical concerns Dr Charlie Teo & Prof Vini Khurana - neurosurgeons - papers and presentations Clinical data shows increasing numbers of brain tumours & leukaemia in children 10 year latency period for phone related illnesses

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36 Other microwave items around us (Electrosmog) All communications towers & antennas (incl TV & radio) Mobile phones Cordless phones Baby monitors Laptops WiFi routers in homes and in public areas Future smart meters

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38 Our request to Governments & NBN Use Precautionary Principle No additional microwaves Provide similar service to hinterland as for central Maleny Provision of broadband by landline

39 Minimise use Mobile phone safety (as advised by WHO) Keep away from head at least 15 mm use air headphones Change ears if long call Be aware where you carry a phone Limit use in a vehicle Limit use by children / pregnant women

40 It is possible to retain the Maleny hinterland image and have quality broadband Through provision of broadband by landline Towerless NBN for Maleny Hinterlands

41 State of Society and the Environment We don t want to believe that our new toys to which we are so attached and which bring enormous profits could also cause our demise or that of our children. But science is not about belief. Government s responsibility to their citizens should not be either. Dr David Servan, who died from brain cancer after a decade of heavy mobile phone use, wrote in the preface of the book Disconnect by Dr Devra Davis.