ALBURY amateur radio operator Graeme Scott has been given the go ahead to erect a replacement mast in his backyard despite a fresh round of objections from neighbouring residents.
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Albury Council this week endorsed its planning and development committee’s approval for a retractable mast to be installed, 8-1.
The committee’s approval sparked another wave of objections, including health side- effects from the transmission of radio frequency emissions.
Cr David Thurley said there was no evidence to support a backflip on the decision.
“The only evidence I can find comes from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency,” he said.
“One of their fact sheets states quite clearly there is no substantiated evidence that radio frequency emissions posed a health risk.
“I have been trained as a scientist and have researched the matter adequately.
“I don’t find any substantial reason in the submissions to change my mind.”
Cr Thurley said Mr Scott’s mast and associated antennas would generate less emissions than existing television and AM and FM radio transmitters which had no impact on people’s health.
Cr Darren Cameron also supported the installation of the replacement mast, which was approved with a string of conditions including restrictions on operating hours and being centrally located on Mr Scott’s property in Edmondson Street.
It can’t be extended to its maximum height of eight metres during daylight hours.
Cr Cameron said he sympathised with objectors, but due to the absence of complaints to council about the previous mast he couldn’t vote against it.
It was erected nearly 30 years ago without development approval from council.
“If this was being done from scratch I wouldn’t be voting for it,” Cr Cameron said.
“The arguments objectors have are understandable and reasonable as far as addressing the matter of amenity.
“If it was next to me I would probably feel a similar way.
“But a larger and more intrusive object was up there for almost three decades without any objections.”
Mayor Kevin Mack voted against the mast.