No Towers Near Schools           What can I do

THIS IS A FIGHT TO PROTECT CHILDREN ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Concerned community members are taking a battle from their local streets to Federal Parliament. They aim to change outdated legislation that allows modern 3G or Next G Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) emitting towers near schools.

Until scientific studies prove 3G EMR is safe, mobile phone towers should be kept away from community-sensitive locations, such as schools.
Did you know
Children absorb radiation at a
much higher rate
than adults.
There are no long term studies into the effects of emissions or radiation from the 3G network stations.
When Telstra calls this tower
"low impact"
they are referring to the
visual impact
(not health impact).
Telstra plans to keep
adding to this site
in the future.
This facility will be
22 times
greater in output than the existing facililty in Main Avenue.
Scientific evidence suggests there are health impacts for all of us living within a
500m radius
of this facility.
> Health Risks


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Is your community in the same boat?

Contact us
so we can share emotional and practical support
- and we can link up with as many groups as we can around the country to boost our lobbying power to achieve legislative change.

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  Latest News & Updates       | More News >
Telstra's 3 site plan community consultation
19 July 2010
As part of their Wireless Community Consultation process, Telstra have setup a web page with more information about their proposed 3 site solution.

The site includes contact information for feedback and enquiries.
If you would like to discuss the new multiple-site proposal please visit their information kiosk at the Bardon Uniting Church Hall, Simpsons Road, Bardon.

TIMES:
Mon 19 July: 12pm - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm
Thu 22 July: 12pm - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm
Sat 24 July: 8am - 12.30pm


Read all the information at their website >
Buzz of Victory - Telstra to scale back tower plan
30 Jun 2010 - Westside News newspaper
Rainworth residents have won their fight against a mobile phone tower being located near their state school...
Read in full >
In A League of His Own
17 Jun 2010 - The Courier-Mail newspaper
There are times when the actions of others require a bystander to take a breath, stand still and marvel at their greatness...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - STATELINE – TELSTRA SPIN… AND NOW THE SUBSTANCE
13 June 2010
There’s been more coverage of our community’s battle against Telstra’s proposed mobile phone facility at 27 Gerler St – on ABC’s Stateline. Unfortunately, Telstra’s spin was in full swing again (yes, again) so we’ve had to question information provided by Telstra’s representative in the story.
Download the document (PDF format 109 KB) >
28 May 2010 - ABC1 Stateline
Telstra at odds with community group

Francene Norton reports property owners shocked they have few rights over phone infrastructure.

JESSICA van VONDEREN: It's been dubbed a David and Goliath battle a community group railing against Telstra. The fight over a mobile phone tower near a Brisbane school began more than a year ago. The community says its battle is about more than phone reception it's demanding legislative change to protect homeowners. Francene Norton explains...


Click to view the video on the Stateline website
.

OR Click here to view the text of the story on our website >
Fears over Telstra Tower
26 May 2010 - Westside News newspaper
Residents in dark as deadline looms. There are growing fears in the Bardon community...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - World Health Organisation recognises the dangers of EMR
20 May 2010
News about the results of the WHO’s Interphone study hit the news this week and validated our community’s concern about exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The results found that cancer risk increases with exposure to EMR
Download the document (PDF format 139 KB) >
Community Flyer - TELSTRA: PARENTS AND RESIDENTS ARE NOT “STAKEHOLDERS”
27 April 2010
In this week’s Westside News (page 3), Telstra claims: “We are continuing to talk to all of the stakeholders…” in regard to the 27 Gerler St mobile phone facility proposal. What about us, Telstra?
Download the document (PDF format 245 KB) >
ABC612 Radio interview - Breakfast with Spencer Howsen
22 April 2010
Win for Bardon's mobile phone tower protest group
Opponents of plans to install a mobile phone tower near Rainworth State School have scored a win.

We encourage the community to call the feedback line (The Cereal Box on 3233 0612) or make written comments on the website (or both).

Click here to go to their website and post a comment

Click here to listen to the audio file
Tower bid toppled
21 Apr 2010 - Westside News newspaper
It has been a battle of David and Goliath proportions, but Bardon residents appear to have finally struck a winning blow...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - Its Official: Telstra has no lease
15 April 2010
The Body Corporate Commission has handed down its final ruling over the validity of a lease between Telstra and the body corporate of 27 Gerler St – and the news is all good for our community.
Download the document (PDF format 99 KB) >
Community Flyer - Telstra is almost out of Main Ave
18 March 2010
As the deadline for Telstra to remove the Main Ave mobile phone tower draws near – by end March – our community campaign is stepping up to ensure we keep such facilities away from the school area.
Download the document (PDF format 93 KB) >
Community Flyer - Telstra gets it wrong (yet again)
11 Feb 2010
The latest revelation of misinformation... How can we trust Telstra or the information it provides?

A just-released independent EMR report, commissioned and paid for by the Brisbane City Council, reveals that...radiation at Rainworth State School will be at least 60 times higher than the current level. This contradicts a Radhaz EMR report, paid for by Telstra, which claims a 50 percent reduction in EMR at the school if the new tower goes in.
Download the document (PDF format 159 KB) >
Suburb in uproar over Telstra tower claims
10 Feb 2010 - The Courier-Mail newspaper
Bardon residents fighting a planned Telstra mobile phone base station...say they have been fed lies and misinformation from Telstra.

In a November 2 letter, the telco assured residents that... the proposed tower would reduce existing EMR levels at the school by 50 per cent.

But a new independent report...commissioned by the Brisbane City Council...reveals that the radiation levels at the school would be "AT LEAST 60 TIMES HIGHER" than the current levels...
Read in full >

Go to the Courier Mail website to read the article and COMMENT on this story >
Telstra tower stand-off
03 Feb 2010 - Westside News newspaper
The fight between a group of Bardon residents and Telstra appears to be entering the final stages, but neither side looks ready to give an inch...
Read in full >
Channel 7 Sunrise Interview
Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010
3 Feb 2010 - Rainworth State School
Channel Seven's Sunrise program interviewed Sandra Boland, P&C President, at Rainworth State School on Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010. Thank you to everyone who got up early and stood behind her in support.


Click to view the factsheet and video on the Sunrise website
.

Qweekend Feature Story
Saturday 30th Jan 2010

Developments, dogs and delinquents...what can you do when it all gets too much?
By Trent Dalton
Trent Dalton has written an absolutely inspiring article about community action groups across Queensland. The story of the Bardon No Towers Near Schools Action Group is featured along with other remarkable people who got together to try to make a difference.

The final quote from Howard Neilson, convenor of the ViVa Samford community group hits the nail on the head:
"...Our capacity to be part of positive and optimistic communities is determined largely by our collective will to resist powerful pressures which detract from our way of life. Even more importantly, our young people can be disempowered if adults give up on fighting for what they believe in, so the effects of our disengagement as adults can have a subtle but strong and long-lasting negative effect on our next generation.

Conversely, hopefully our efforts to stand up for what we believe in can empower young people to take responsibility for their own futures..."
Read in full >
Community Flyer - Interim Order Granted
28 Jan 2010
A legal judgement has been handed down that halts any immediate constuction of a telecommunications facility at 27 Gerler Street.
Download the document (PDF format 249 KB) >
Tower on hold
27 Jan 2010 - Westside News newspaper
Bardon residents win injunction. Bardon residents are one step closer to forcing telelcommunications giant Telstra into finding another location...
Read in full >
Thank you from the Action Group
11 Dec 2009
Thank you for your interest and support since this issue arose. While we could have all done without the stress and worry of it, one silver lining has been discovering that community spirit is, indeed, alive and well in Bardon. We live in a beautiful part of a wonderful city and we are surrounded by terrific people – people to be admired for standing up to fight for what they believe in and to defend their community. We are very lucky in so many ways.

We wish you and your families a safe Christmas filled with love and laughter. We hope 2010 will be wonderful (and less stressful!) for us all.

~ NOTowersNearSchools Community Action Group
Telstra in tower win
9 Dec 2009 - Westside News newspaper
Telstra scored a narrow victory on Friday in its controversial plan to relocate a mobile phone tower...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - United we stand
3 Dec 2009
By standing together we are making significant inroads in our battle to stop Telstra installing this unwanted mobile phone base station in the heart of our community.
Download the document (PDF format 168 KB) >
Residents halt phone tower with injunction
28 Nov 2009 - The Courier-Mail newspaper
Construction on a controversial Telstra tower at Bardon has been postponed ...
Read in full >
Tower plan mobilised
25 Nov 2009 - Westside News newspaper
Telstra lodged its Bardon Telstra tower consultation plan with Brisbane City Council...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - Sunday BBQ Family Afternoon
19 Nov 2009
Telstra reckons this battle is over. They are defying our community and our politicians. They are ignoring our voice. We must keep fighting to show them
IT IS NOT OVER. THEY HAVE NOT WON. WE WILL NOT GIVE UP.
Download the document (PDF format 130 KB) >
Barbeque to roast Telstra tower plan
18 Nov 2009 - Westside News newspaper
A community barbeque will be held at Rainworth State Primary School this Sunday...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - Community update meeting
12 Nov 2009
Sunday, November 22nd at 4pm, Rainworth State School. The Courier-Mail is very keen to tell our story and wishes to meet with the community...
Download the document (PDF format 117 KB) >
Tower tussle rages
11 Nov 2009 - Westside News newspaper
A group of Bardon residents is preparing to take legal action against Telstra...
Read in full >
Community Flyer - Rainworth/Bardon residents...
5 Nov 2009
The spectre of the phone tower planned for our community looms large – so we must stand united and motivated in our fight for what’s RIGHT!
Download the document (PDF format 37 KB) >
Danger Zone for residents near Bardon phone tower
4 Nov 2009 - Westside News newspaper
Renters of a top-floor apartment in Bardon fear they would have a "radiation cloud" centimetres above their head if a mobile phone tower goes ahead. Nicole McMahon said according to a Telstra report the so-called "yellow radiation" zone would extend into her apartment.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency guidelines state that ONLY TRAINED WORKERS should enter a yellow zone, and then only for SIX MINUTES AT A TIME, while the GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD NEVER ENTER.
Read the article >
Community Flyer - We're gaining traction...
29 Oct 2009
We're gaining traction in our fight to stop the Telstra tower - but we need continued support from the Bardon community. There is a role for YOU in this battle for our neighbourhood - and its simple: all you have to do is SPEAK UP!
Download the document (PDF format 507 KB) >

> See more News and Updates

     Television Story


Our story was featured on
ABC News - Stateline
on 28th May 2010.

     Radio Interview


Our story was featured on 612ABC radio on 22nd April 2010.

     EVENTS

Thanks to everyone who came along to the photo shoot on Friday 16th April. It was a great success.


     EVENTS

Rainworth State School
Wednesday 3rd February

A huge thank you to those who braved the very early morning
and came along to be part of Channel 7's Sunrise program on Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010.

It was a terrific turnout at very
short notice. Once again, we are blown away by the huge amount
of support for this cause and the amazing spirit of this community.


Speak Up
Speak Up

What is EMR

   RAINWORTH / BARDON TOWER
Despite significant community opposition, Telstra is planning to install a new mobile phone base station on top of an apartment building at 27 Gerler Street Bardon.

This location is in a residential area and close to Rainworth State School.

Local residents are concerned about the potential health risks and hope Telstra will reconsider the proposal.

> The tower proposal

   PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

“The precautionary principle
applies where scientific evidence
is insufficient, inconclusive or uncertain and preliminary
scientific evaluation indicates
that there are reasonable
grounds for concern
that the potentially dangerous
effects on the environment,
human, animal or plant
health may be inconsistent
with the high level
of protection chosen.”
Source: European Commission
Communication on the
Precautionary Principle
2nd Feb 2000


   NOTABLE QUOTES
"I remain unconvinced of the necessity of Gerler St as a location for the construction of a telecommunications tower."
- Andrew Fraser
State member for Mount Coot-tha
Treasurer of Queensland.
"Its better to be cautious and prudent than sad, sorry and angry in 20 to 30 years time."
- Michael Johnson
Member for Ryan
"If the technology at the site is capable of producing this larger modelled footprint, the stronger emissions become perilously close to the neighbouring residents. Given this, I do not believe it is acceptable for Telstra to proceed with their proposed construction at 27 Gerler Street."
- Arch Bevis
Member for Brisbane

Copyright Bardon Telstra Tower Action Group. Contact us for permission to reproduce material on this site.