More development likely close to Homebush Tx towers

Despite the potential danger of a radio tower falling on a housing development, radioinfo has learned that NSW State and Local government bodies are likely to approve another apartment block within the ‘drop zone’ of Homebush’s transmission towers.

While the latest proposed development was not discussed at this week’s AFR radio summit, the problems caused by previous development were on the agenda for the Australian Communications Authority’s Bob Horton.

The AFR Radio Summit was told that the Homebush development has highlighted changing attitudes to communications towers.

Horton said “exposure issues” and “development” have become key issues for the ACA.

He said a report commissioned by the NSW state government, after the construction of the Homebush Waterside development, has concluded that “there is no evidence that living near radio towers poses health risks.”

But they do pose interference problems for residents and there is the problem that if a tower falls it could crash down onto residential buildings.

The ACA has developed new standards for building near transmission towers, but these are unlikely to be adopted in relation to the Homebush development.

“Planning authorities should be aware of these risks. As a result of the lessons from Homebush there is now a draft protocal regarding these matters.”

Another source told radioinfo that residents who bought into the Homebush development thought the transmission towers would be turned off before the housing developments were completed.