Bluff cell mast proposal draws fire
An anti-cell mast petition is available on the Bluff Community Notice Board Facebook page and residents who are against cell mast are encouraged to sign it
THE fight against the mushrooming cell masts continues to grow stronger as Bluff residents have joined in, after discovering a house in Oceandale Road is potentially to become a site for the erection of a telecommunications tower.
The ward 66 committee in partnership with the Durban Anti-Cell Mast Alliance (DACMA) will facilitate a public meeting with affected residents to discuss the pressing issue in September.
An anti-cell mast petition is available on the Bluff Community Notice Board Facebook page and residents who are against cell mast are encouraged to sign it. Liesl Hutchings said she only found out about the Oceandale Road proposal when her tenants handed her an unmarked envelope with her name on it from the company proposing to erect the mast a few weeks ago. “I was in shock as there were no other prior warnings about this. I would think the neighbours would at least be notified about this or that a notice would be advertised in the local papers – none of which were done.
It was only by chance that one of the neighbours was walking near the house and saw the notice tied to a fence. We are a close-knit community and it’s weird to not hear anything about it until now,” she said.
Fellow neighbour, Ian Jones agreed and said he found the whole dealing sneaky.
“We are not going to let this slide. We have already started a petition to appeal against this cell mast. Treasure Beach already has enough pollution from the refineries and noise. Within the neighbourhood are two oil refineries and a paper mill. Complaints about respiratory health issues have been documented. They need to consider this area is zoned as a coastland forest and the radio frequency electromagnetic waves will have an effect on plants, animals and us. Have they even thought of the impact on the children’s home across the road?” he questioned.
Residents questioned the need for the tower, considering the number of pre-existing towers within the proposed site’s proximity. “Within a 3.6km linear distance, there are a total of four cell towers, with the proposed cell tower bringing the total to five. This seems an exceptionally high density. Towers are located at 143 Buldana Road; 985 Marine Drive, 707 Marine Drive and 126 Nirvana Road. The proposed tower would mean these towers will be 1km apart,” said Hutchings.
READ: Woodlands resident signals cell tower dissent with petition
Another concern was local property values. “There is a definite public perception among buyers of property that living near a cell tower is not advantageous. Due to the fact the tower is visually obtrusive, it’s presence is unmistakable, which will definitely sway buyers away from the area.
This will be such a pity as there are houses with sea-views which are highly sought after,” added Hutchings.
“Our community is already exposed to air pollution and this number of towers in such close proximity, possibly emitting high levels of radiation, not to mention a growing perception that our area is an unhealthy area, will drive the property pricing down,” added Hutchings
READ: Bluff’s Olympic Avenue residents oppose proposed tower
Ward 66 councillor, JP Prinsloo who is aware of the cell mast proposal, urged residents to remain vigilant about cell masts going up in their community and surrounding suburbs.
“The city has no clear plan to address the clear abuse of its infrastructure by major cellular companies and protecting the rights of its citizens. Therefore, eThekwini Municipality must stop the approval of all cell masts in the city until the municipality has commissioned and completed independent studies into the effects of cell masts on health and property values,” said Cllr Prinsloo.
DACMA spokesman Niki Moore recommended the residents to look at and register on the NAACM website at naacm.co.za. “There is a lot of information on the site. I can then answer their questions via the weekly newsletter. What is emerging, is those cell companies should not be allowed simply to put up masts where-ever they feel like it, there should be a scoping report showing that the mast is actually necessary. But let them join, and then they can take the process step by step,” she said.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE:
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