Cell tower drama
FONTAINEBLEAU - The school governing body of Laerskool Fontainebleau said cell tower has been approved and will be built.
Residents of Fontainebleau and parents of pupils of the Laerskool Fontainebleau are opposed to the proposals of building a cellphone tower near the school.
Concerned residents and parents have held meetings in the past three months discussing their reasons for opposing the building of the cellphone tower.
According to Werner Simpson, a parent of a pupil at the school, the electromagnetic radiation which the cellphone tower will carry may damage the health of their children. “We are disappointed that the school would want to host the tower and impose a threat to the community’s health,” complained Simpson.
However, the chairman of the Fontainebleau Primary School governing body, Graeme Ross argued that the cellphone tower will not be built in the school yard but at the school tennis court on the corner of Silver Pine Avenue and Elise Road, a short distance from the school.
“Prior to us agreeing with the cellphone company to have the 20 metre long, yellow wood cellphone tower built, we addressed the community. Those who opposed it sent their complaints to the City of Joburg department. We left the matter into the relevant authorities,” explained Ross.
One of the parents argued that the actions of the school governing body showed total disregard for the community and their children at the Laerskool Fontainebleau. “They have entered into a contract without any form of meaningful consultation with the parents, despite the many representations made to them over a period of two years. Interesting was that, when Ross was asked if he was willing to provide a personal guarantee that nobody will be harmed by the effects of tower he refused,” expressed Simpson.
Spokesperson of the Town Planning Development, Thabo Molekoa said once a plan has been approved by the City Council it is final. “Before any plan can be approved people are given a set amount of time to disapprove, once that time passes they cannot get any other chance,” said Molekoa.
Ross stated that the City of Joburg with the significant parties approved the tower and the cellphone company has not indicated when it will start building.
Details: Fontainebleau Primary School 011 791 6160/1.
