ADD THIS TO YOUR BASKET OF MEMORABILIA The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #08 • Wednesday, August 5, 2020 • www.echo.net.au
5G complaint squashed by telco watchdog Paul Bibby The communications watchdog has refused to investigate alleged breaches of telecommunications law by Telstra in relation to the installation of 5G technology in Mullumbimby. In response to a complaint from anti-5G campaigners who detailed a raft of alleged breaches, the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) said it had made ‘preliminary enquiries’ and concluded that this is ‘not a matter that the ACMA should investigate’. ‘During our enquiries we sought, and obtained, information from Telstra about their compliance with the Deployment Code,’ ACMA Telecommunications Engineer, Andrew Sabo, said in an email to anti-5G group Northern Rivers for Safe Technology. ‘We used this information as the basis upon which we assessed their compliance in relation to their proposed upgrade at this site.’ The response is a slap in the face for the members of Northern Rivers for Safe Technology who have been fighting to stop 5G being installed on Telstra’s tower at 95 Dalley Street. They have maintained 24/7 monitoring of the site for the past 15 weeks in a bid to ensure that Telstra does not undertake the installation when no one is looking. In an extended complaint to the watchdog they set out a range of alleged breaches of the Deployment Code, the key law relating to the installation of telecommunications infrastructure.
Bluesfest releases economic assessment of cancellation â–ś p5
Monthly markets are back
They alleged that the limited pubic notification published by Telstra, failed to provide an adequate description of the proposed facility. ‘It is Telstra’s usual practice, when proposing to upgrade towers to 5G, to state in their public notification that “5G antennas� will be installed,’ the complaint said. ‘However, in this instance, “5G� is notably absent from the description of the proposed works.’ The campaigners further alleged that Telstra failed to provide accurate contact details for public feedback. ‘The public notice provided the following address for submissions: PO Box 2777, Brisbane, QLD, 4001.’
Petitions returned by Telstra unopened ‘During the submissions period, we sent a parcel of 268 signed petitions to that address. Although Australia Post’s tracking shows the parcel was delivered to that PO Box address, it was subsequently Returned to Sender. ‘If our parcel was returned to sender, how many other community submissions that were sent to this address were not received by Telstra?’ There were a range of other complaints, including that the telco ignored its obligation to consider comments received from the community, and that they failed to respond to reasonable requests for information. But ACMA declined to accept any of the complaints â–ś Continued on page 2
Rare plant species makes a comeback â–ś p4
It was a glorious day for the first Byron Bay Market by the beach since the COVID-19 shutdown. Roy, Benjamin, Odem, Zohar and Keshet enjoyed a little hangout at Hat Empire. Photo Jeff Dawson
Byron Council’s operational budget approved Executive Council staff are yet to explain why there were scant details attached to their proposal to approve $27m in two loans in the 2020/21 Operational Plan and Budget. The budget/plan, with amendments, was adopted unanimously by councillors at last Thursday’s meeting, with Cr Cate Coorey’s motion reading in part, ‘Council notes that possible loan borrowings for projects identified in the budget will only be undertaken after all feasibility studies have been done, public exhibition has occurred and a Council resolution
passed that supports the progression of each project’. During morning public access, 2021 Greens candidate Matthew O’Reilly, resident Anthony Stante, John ‘Fast Buck$’ Anderson, and former mayor and state MLC Jan Barham all spoke about the $12m loan for Council’s Myocum solar farm project on Dingo Lane. When asked to comment on Ms Barham’s concerns, Council staff replied to The Echo that ‘Ms Barham’s question was presented to the Council and all information on the budget was available at
Does future growth need new dams? ▜ p7
^Ĺ˝ĹŻÄ‚ĆŒ &ĞĞĚ /Ĺś dÄ‚ĆŒĹ?ĨĨĆ? ^ĹŻÄ‚Ć?ŚĞĚ͊Ě͊
Byron Shire Council Notices ▜ p8
www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au’. Their reply also included Cr Cate Coorey’s motion that was adopted by councillors. Amendements to the motion include $100,000 to kick start shared paths in Bangalow, which will assist the elderly at Feros. Staff will also be asked to ‘Provide a quarterly update report on the outcome of discussions with State government and agencies about the multi-use of the rail corridor, including any policy developments and funding opportunities identified’.
See what’s changing‌ new feature: Shifting Sands ▜ p16
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