Proposed cell mast upsets residents
Residents take stand against proposed cellular tower mast that will be constructed in the middle of the suburb
The residents association and residents of Bordeaux will object to the construction of a cell tower mast in Garden Village.
Bordeaux South Residents Association chairperson Elinor Bodinger said no one in the area was notified that the cell mast was going to be constructed.
Communications company MTN is planning to construct the mast in Garden Road.
Bodinger said, “Ironically our area already has two existing cell towers within a 10km radius of the proposed site. One in the park on the corner of Republic and Main roads and the second within the Old Parktonian grounds on Garden Road.”
Beverly Schopf of Infrastructure Planning Services said a 25m yellowwood monopole tree mast will be constructed. “The tower will blend in with the area and will be constructed on the Garden Village’s boundary line,” she said. “Management at the Garden Village Retirement Village confirmed that the mast will be constructed on the border line and that MTN has been in contact with them regarding the payment per month if the mast was to be constructed inside the village.”
Bodinger added that the main issue with the mast was the potential health hazards these cell towers posed to nearby residents.
Schopf concluded that objections could be sent to her or to a City of Johannesburg representative. “The objections need to be emailed before the close of business on 12 December,” she said.
No comment was received from MTN at the time of going to press.
Details: beverley@infraplan.co.za or SonjaP@joburg.org.za
