Do you want Telstra to install a mobile telecommunications mast in front of CASTLE HILL HIGH SCHOOL and within close proximity to a childcare centre and a preschool?
We of the Castle Hill High School Parents and Citizens Association DO NOT.
Telstra recently exhibited plans of installing a new mobile phone base station (mast) with their preferred site being Castle Hill RSL building at 77 Castle Street, Castle Hill. The Castle Hill RSL is directly opposite the Castle Hill High School, which has approximately 1500 students and staff. It is also a few hundred metres from a childcare centre and preschool.
It's our fear the staff and students of these facilities, as well as local residents will be exposed to microwave/radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) constantly emitted from the base station. We base this on studies that have indicated that this form of radiation emitted from mobile phone base stations can be hazardous to health.
IMPORTANTLYthe NSW Department of Education (DoE) recommends a 500m clearance from any school. This is in line with the "prudent avoidance" with regard to children advocated by experts. Children absorb more EMR than adults.
The installation would be in conflict with this policy.
Tony Mcabe (pdf 468 KB)
Elliot Perrottet (pdf 333 KB)
We have met with Telstra and asked them to be cautious with our community's health by not installing the mast in such close proximity to a large concentration of children.
Telstra abides by the Australian public exposure standards set by ARPANSA. Site Plan (pdf 1497 KB) Independent experts question the adequacy of the current standards as more evidence of biological effects well below these standards emerges. Many countries in Europe, China and Russia already have more stringent exposure standards than ours. The studies we are relying on are:
The Stewart Report (2000) was from an expert commission appointed by the UK Government to advise on effect on public health from mobile phone technology. It specifically recommends that the most intense part of an EMR beam from a mast should not fall on any part of a school without the agreement of the school and parents (section 6.68). According to Telstra, the proposed mast will project the most intense field 100-200m away.
The Bio-Initiative Report (2012) is a comprehensive compilation of the scientific evidence by an independent panel of international experts. It is available at http://bioinitiative.org.
11 out of 13 independent studies on people living close to mobile base stations report adverse effects. These include effects such as headaches, memory issues, dizziness, depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance, as well as increased risk of cancer and changes to hormone levels (10 studies discussed in Int J Occp Environ Health 2010;16:263-7; Clinical Biochemistry 2012;45:157-161; Int J Occp Environ Health 2012;25:31-40; Electromagn Biol Med 2013 Jun 19 - Epub ahead of print).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified this form of radiation as a possible carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) on 31 May 2011.
How you can help….
Ø Please sign this petition and send a clear message to Telstra that we do not want a mobile phone base station near our schools or childcare facilities.
Ø Respond to our On line petition at Change.org http://chn.ge/1cFock3
Ø Contact your local MPs and ask where they stand on this issue
Ø Facebook or Twitter Telstra: Telstra 24/7
Ø Facebook or twitter Castle Hill RSL club
Ø If Telstra continues to ignore this Community plea would you consider switching to another carrier?
We need YOUR Help
STOP THE BASE STATION BEING BUILT SO CLOSE TO OUR CHILDREN
For more information email: chhspc2154@gmail.com