MOBILE PHONE TOWERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

Version: 1 February 2012

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

Contents 1. Foreword ...................................................................................................................... 3 2. Phone towers................................................................................................................ 4 Community consultation .......................................................................................................... 4 Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) .............................................................................................. 5 Health effects .......................................................................................................................... 5 Visual amenity ......................................................................................................................... 6 Limitations on the construction of towers ................................................................................ 6 Legislation covering the construction and siting of towers ........................................................ 7 Low-impact facilities ................................................................................................................ 7 Industry Code of Practice ......................................................................................................... 9

3. Steps you can take ...................................................................................................... 10 1. Take part in the Carrier's community consultation .............................................................. 10 Organise a petition ................................................................................................................ 11 Form a local residents group .................................................................................................. 12 Hold a public meeting ............................................................................................................ 13 Hold a stall in your local area.................................................................................................. 13 Lobby your local councillors ................................................................................................... 14 Lobby your local MP............................................................................................................... 15 Contact the Media ................................................................................................................. 17 Make a flier ........................................................................................................................... 18 Take legal action .................................................................................................................... 18

4. Sample Materials........................................................................................................ 20 Submission to council............................................................................................................. 21 Flier ....................................................................................................................................... 22 SAMPLE PETITION TO THE NSW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL............................................................ 23 SAMPLE Petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly .................................................................. 24 SAMPLE Petition to the federal parliament ............................................................................. 25 Letter to Minister ................................................................................................................... 27 Submission to Community Consultation process ..................................................................... 28

5. Useful Contacts and resources..................................................................................... 29 Contacts ................................................................................................................................ 29 Websites ............................................................................................................................... 30 Relevant terms ...................................................................................................................... 31

2|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

1. Foreword This kit builds on the work of my predecessor Sylvia Hale., who prepared a similar kit in response to requests from concerned community groups and individuals. Community groups continue to contact my office with concerns about mobile phone towers in their local communities. It is intended that this kit operates as a resource for such groups. The Greens NSW believe in the fundamental importance of a planning system which respects community wishes and prioritises the principles of ecologically sustainable development. While there are still concerns about the ongoing safety of these towers we support the adoption of the precautionary principle when issuing permits and making decisions about the siting of towers. The current law controlling phone towers allows telecommunication companies to effectively dodge local and state government planning laws, thereby removing the community's right to have a say on these developments. There is currently no requirement for so-called low impact telecommunications facilities – including some phone towers – to be subject to planning controls. There are also no current consultation requirements and buffer zones are not required. In September 2011 Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown introduced a bill into federal parliament to give communities fighting mobile towers – such us the controversial Lennox Head tower – a greater say about where they are located. This bill is also intended to address concerns about community health and environmental impacts. The Telecommunications Amendment (Mobile Phone Towers) Bill 2011 would require mobile carriers to take a precautionary approach to where facilities are installed. Mobile carriers would be required to lodge a five-year plan with councils showing where they want to install facilities, as well as maps that show the EMR emissions of antennae. The Independent Member for Denison Andrew Wilkie has also introduced a similar bill – the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Community Consultation) Bill 2011. This Bill was referred to a committee and submissions accepted – the report is currently being drafted. Submissions are available here: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ic/Telecommunications/subs.htm This legislation has not yet been brought on for a vote in Federal Parliament. In the interim it remains for communities to work together to ensure that phone towers are only installed in their communities in locations that are as safe and environmentally sound as possible. I wish you all the best in your endeavour.

David Shoebridge, Greens MP

3|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers NSW

2. Phone towers The Greens have long adhered to the precautionary principle when it comes to the rapid rollout of mobile phone base stations (MPBS). The current concerns regarding phone towers relate mainly to the long term health effects of exposure to radiation. There are also substantial concerns that the existing telecommunications law gives insufficient regard to community consultation and loss of visual amenity.

Community consultation The federal laws which govern the placement of phone towers strongly favour the phone carriers, often to the detriment of the community, for example the Telecommunications Act, which was passed in 1997 with the part-sale of Telstra.1 Under this law, carriers do not have to seek council approval for the installation of a ‘low visual impact’ facility. If a carrier identifies its facility as ‘low impact’, it does not have to lodge a development application (DA) with the relevant local council. This essentially enables the carrier to avoid all local and state planning laws. The results of carriers not having to obtain council approval are often that only a bare minimum of residents are aware of the proposal, carriers often do not develop community friendly consultation processes giving carriers what amounts to a license to ignore community views. Carriers also do not need to obtain the approval of those nearby – this can mean that you may have no choice if a carrier wants to install a transmitter on your apartment block or next to your house. There are also concerns about carriers building towers on public land, including parks, open space, school grounds and public land. The installation of towers in such locations results in the loss of public amenity, and often means that a private company will profit from public assets without returning any of this profit to the affected community. If a carrier proposes to install a facility at an existing site the carrier is only obliged to notify the council (Section 5.6.2) and place a public notice in the local newspaper (section 5.6.3). It is not obliged to notify or consult with the community. However, telecommunications companies are required to 'consult' with the community before erecting any new tower. They are not obliged to adhere to any community wishes but an organised community campaign may convince them to do so. 1

The Act is available here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ta1997214/

4|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, or EMR, is the transfer of energy through radio waves. All electrical appliances emit EMR, including mobile phones and mobile phone towers. EMR also occurs naturally from diverse sources including the sun, the Earth and from our own bodies. Obviously the frequency and power of the waves varies greatly depending on the source. Many people are concerned about the health risks posed by EMR, and have linked it to cancer, depression, infertility, immune disorders, headaches and nausea. To date there has been no comprehensive study which proves the validity or otherwise of these concerns. In the meantime, we believe that the precautionary principle should apply. If phone towers are built too close to schools, children are exposed to electromagnetic radiation for up to 7 hours a day, 5 days a week in the middle of the day when phone use is often at its most intense. This continues to be a serious cause for concern. European guidelines limit 3G towers to no closer than 300 meters of a school. In NSW there is no such law, and it is estimated that at least 72 schools are less than 300 meters from a tower. At least two phone towers are built within school grounds.

Health effects The World Health Organisation (WHO) conducted a review of the available information in June 2011. This review considered ten epidemiological studies that met stringent scientific criteria and considered short term effects of exposure. The studies presented mixed results. Two self-report studies found statistically significant relationships between reported health effects and the presence of mobile phone base station (MPBS) radiation. However other epidemiological studies were not able to find consistent symptoms or symptom patterns which were consistently related to exposure.2 The WHO literature review also incorporated a number of reports on chronic health effects from MPBS. These reports focussed on the incidence of various cancers and genotoxic effects. The investigations found no significant link between MBPS proximity and cancer rates. Several studies that suggested a link between cancer and radiation exposure were dismissed by the WHO review for quality deficiencies. The reports were also criticised for collecting biased data and poor sampling technique.

2

http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/88/12/09-071852/en/index.html

5|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers The WHO continues to express caution about the current state of the literature, saying that while there was no evidence of a link to chronic effects, such a link could not be ruled out. The review the review suggested that further research be conducted, especially with regards to the effects of such radiation on children and adolescents.

Visual amenity Mobile phone towers are large, unsightly and often on public land such as parks, sporting fields and schools. As well as the antenna, there is often a shed-like structure at the bottom, which looks similar to a toilet block with no doors. One of the most common objections to the installation of a mobile phone facility is that it will reduce the value of the surrounding properties because of health concerns and a loss of visual amenity. Though the footprint of a mobile phone tower may be small, the visual impact can be substantial as it stands significantly higher than surrounding structures. Telstra mobile phone tower

Pruning of surrounding trees to facilitate installation of the towers also reduces visual amenity for surrounding residents and users of affected public spaces.

Limitations on the construction of towers Carriers are not allowed to erect their towers if they have a ‘high visual impact’. This means that, although there are no explicit rights for communities to block towers being built on public or private land, carriers can be challenged on the appearance of the tower. This can include considerations such as: • Length (an antenna which is not flush mounted can be no longer than 2.8m long) • Size (the shed cannot have a surface area of more than 7.5m²) • Colour scheme (must blend in with its surroundings) • Heritage value of surrounding structures (must be sympathetic) • Impact on views

6|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers It is possible to challenge carrier assertions that an installation is ‘low impact’. Councils can require carriers to submit a development application for a ‘high impact’ facility. The application will then have to go through the normal DA process. Councils also have the right to deny a carrier access to council owned land where the mobile phone facility is not low impact.

Legislation covering the construction and siting of towers

Information from ACMA

Low-impact facilities (the following information is from the ACMA site) Low-impact facilities include small radiocommunications antennae and dishes that are erected on existing towers or buildings and that are designed to be unobtrusive. Other types of low-impact facilities include underground and above ground housing, underground cables, public payphones and temporary emergency facilities. The Act precludes certain types of facilities – like aerial cables – from being defined as ‘low-impact’. The Determination specifies the maximum dimension of each type of facility. For example, a tower that is not attached to a building and which is higher than 5 metres cannot be specified as a low-impact facility, although the addition of antennas may result in the total height of a facility being greater than 5 metres. One commonly installed low-impact facility is 5.8 metres high (including antennas). By contrast, stand alone mobile phone towers are generally 25 to 30 metres high. In some cases, the colour of a low-impact facility is required 7|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers to match its background or be painted in a colour agreed by the carrier and the local authority. The Determination defines where facilities may be installed based on the zoning of a site as commercial, industrial, residential or rural under state or territory laws. For example, a facility that is deemed low-impact in a rural or industrial zone may not be low-impact if it is installed in a residential area. A facility in an area of environmental significance, such as a World Heritage area or an area on the Register of the National Estate, cannot be designated a low-impact facility. The table below is a guide from ACMA of some designated 'low-impact' facilities including dimension and zoning limitations. For complete details see the Telecommunications (Lowimpact Facilities) Determination 1997.

8|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Industry Code of Practice ACMA registered the Industry Code: Deployment of Mobile Phone Network Infrastructure on 7 April 2005. All carriers must comply with the Industry Code when deploying mobile phone infrastructure. The Code is legally enforceable and supplements existing regulatory arrangements. The Code details carriers' rights and obligations regarding the installation of telecommunications infrastructure including requirements to provide certain information to the public. Under the Code, carriers are required to: design and operate radiocommunications infrastructure to minimise electromagnetic energy (EME) exposure provide information to the public on request about EME for specific sites develop and implement consultation plans for certain facilities provide information to councils on network forward planning for the region if requested notify councils and the community before the construction of certain infrastructure document their decision-making process develop an internal complaints-handling mechanism. Carriers are required to notify and consult with local councils and the community before deploying infrastructure at new sites, but only where development applications (DAs) are not required. Where DAs are required, consultation will happen in the DA process. The Code means carriers must advise councils in writing about the installation of facilities at new sites that do not require DA approval. There are also minimum requirements for community consultation and the notification to council must include details of the proposed consultation strategy. Council then has 5 business days to provide comments, and may request an additional 5 business days if required. The carrier can only commence community consultation once it has responded in writing to all of the issues raised by council. If you believe that a carrier has breached the Code you can lodge a complaint. The initial complaint will have to be made by contacting the carrier directly to express your concerns. This can usually be done by letter, email or by fax. If you are not satisfied with the carrier's response you can then complain to ACMA. Further information about making a complaint, including what you can complain about and what information to include is available here: http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1961 Write to: Radiocommunications Licensing and Telecommunications Deployment Section Operations Branch, Australian Communications and Media Authority PO Box 78 Belconnen ACT 2616

9|Page David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

3. Steps you can take Community campaigns around the installation of mobile phone towers in NSW have often forced carriers to abandon or improve their plans. Public pressure can also provide incentives for politicians and councillors to take a stand against inappropriately sited towers.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED 1. Take part in the carrier's community consultation 2. Organise a petition 3. Form a local residents group 4. Hold a public meeting 5. Hold a stall in your area 6. Lobby your local councillors 7. Lobby your local MP 8. Contact the media 9. Make a flier 10. Take legal action

1. Take part in the Carrier's community consultation The Carrier has to notify council of their community consultation plan. Council has the power to request a more exhaustive consultation plan than the carrier has proposed. By law, telecommunications companies are required to consult with the community before erecting a tower at a new site. In many cases, the ‘consultation’ is difficult to participate in and not well publicised. Participation in this part of a carrier's planning can be particularly powerful – if the company receives a substantial amount of negative feedback they may begin considering easier alternative sites. Furthermore, if a carrier receives predominantly negative feedback, it will be more difficult for them to defend themselves if they are found to have ignored an overwhelming community response. If there are a lot of people in the area who have similar concerns, you have a better chance of stopping or modifying the tower. It may be useful to check if all residents in the area have received the notification letter advising of the development. Notification letters may at times only be distributed to a limited section of the community. You may choose to put copies of the notification letter on community noticeboards, and ask local businesses and community centres if they will place copies in their windows. 10 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Consultation may consist of meetings or receiving submissions. The more people attending these meetings to voice concerns and writing short submissions the better. Individual letters in response to the development are the most effective, but you might consider writing a form letter to give people ideas of what to include. There is a template submission letter in the Materials section of this kit. Note that ‘community consultation’ is often used by companies as a public relations exercise to quell community concerns - but the consultation period can also allow community groups to build pressure to stop or alter developments.

Organise a petition This is often an easy and effective way to get people involved. Included in this kit is a sample petition you can adapt to your needs. Getting people to read and sign a petition alerts them to your issue. Even if your request is ultimately ignored, the petition can create awareness of your concerns with the community at large. A petition to your local council A petition may be sent to your council, in which case the actual format is not critical. You can use the sample petition in this kit as a guide. If you know you will be able to address council about the tower, you could present your petition when you speak. If you have sympathetic Councillors you may wish to discuss this with them. To submit your petition to a local council usually you can just sent it in. Call the council beforehand to check. A petition to Parliament You can petition State or Federal Parliament. A petition is basically a request for action. For example, a petition may ask the Parliament to introduce legislation, to repeal or change existing legislation, or to take action for a certain purpose or for the benefit of particular persons. The subject of a petition must be a matter on which the Parliament has the power to act that is, it must be a State or Federal matter (depending on which Parliament you are petitioning) involving legislation or government administration. There can be an advantage in presenting petitions to the NSW Legislative Assembly, If you have gathered and presented more than 10,000 signatures this will trigger a debate in the House. This is however a huge undertaking. Any statement used in a petition should be: Short – no more than two or three paragraphs Clear – use simple, direct language 11 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Action oriented – a petition should make a specific demand for action, for example: “That the House will repeal legislation allowing telecommunications companies to build mobile phone towers without council approval.” A petition usually follows a basic format. It must: Be on one side only of each sheet of paper be addressed to the appropriate parties: the Mayor and Councillors; or The Senate; or The House of Representatives; or the President and Members of the NSW Legislative Council; or the Speaker and Members of the NSW Legislative Assembly Have the names, addresses and signatures of people who sign (make sure you clearly indicate and leave enough room for all this information) Have a copy of the statement at the top of each page There are specific requirements for petitions to Parliament. This kit includes an example of the format used to lodge a petition to the NSW Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and the Australian Senate. For detailed advice, you can ask your MP or check the relevant Parliament's website. You will also need a Member of Parliament to present it for you. The back pages of this kit contain websites where you can find complete lists of Parliamentarians and their contact details. You may want to get in touch with the people who have signed the petition to let them know about your group or local events you are planning. It is an infringement of people’s privacy to add their names to a database simply because they have signed a petition. Instead, you should ask people when they are signing if they would like more information about your group’s meetings or activities, and keep a separate list.

Form a local residents group Forming a local residents group or joining an existing one can be a very positive way to get a number of people working together to share ideas and the workload of running a campaign. Local media and others may be more likely to pay attention to an organised group than a concerned individual or two. Give yourselves a name which is clear and which sums up what you are doing. Some existing residents actions groups include: Corlette Action Group (CAG), No Towers Near Schools, Tower Sanity Alliance and the Oatley Park Defenders. Consider setting up a website or Facebook page, or both. WordPress http://wordpress.org/ can be a simple and free way to set up an effective site without requiring too much tech savvy. Assign someone to take minutes of your meetings so that you have a record of what you agreed to do, when, and who was to do it. Assign someone as the main contact for the group so that you can have the same contact number on any fliers, newspaper stories, media releases etc. 12 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Spread the work around – make sure everyone has something they are responsible for doing before the next meeting. Keep meetings as brief and constructive as possible

Hold a public meeting If the tower is of widespread community concern, you may want to hold a public meeting. Things to consider are: Accessible location, date, starting time, and length of meeting Prior publicity: fliers, letterboxing, media releases, Facebook pages An agenda for the meeting The appropriate number of speakers Time for questions and discussion Will you invite a representative from the carrier to speak? Motions or future actions to come out of the meeting. You will usually want to have the assistance of other people in organising a public meeting. This can be a great start-up activity for your residents group, to raise the profile of your issue and attract other interested people.

Hold a stall in your local area A stall is a great way to inform the general public and locate people who may want to get involved. Locations to consider include busy shopping areas, outside farmers' markets or at special events like local fetes, street fairs, or a church or school social day. There may be instances where you need permission to use an area: always check with the owners or managers if it is private property and the Council or government agency if it is a public area. Make sure there is at least one person on the stall at all times. Petitions on clipboards are particularly good for stalls. Other materials to be considered include fliers, letter writing materials and other information. Stickers and badges can also be a good way to give people something to take away that will raise awareness. Stalls should be tidy and approachable. Keep more voluminous or detailed information nearby for those who ask. Clearly mark any items that are for sale with their price.

13 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Lobby your local councillors Councils deal with local development issues, but the Telecommunications Act removes much of their power when dealing with telecommunications carriers. However, councils can amend their Local Environment Plan to set minimum standards for community consultation. This means that at the very least, everyone who is affected by a new phone tower will know about it and can take steps to voice any concerns they have. Although federal law means that telecommunications companies can construct low impact mobile phone facilities without normal council consent, Councils are able to question an application if it deems that it has a ‘high visual impact’. They are also able to ensure that the carrier has undertaken acceptable community consultation and notification. Contact council If you are concerned about a particular tower or facility in your area: Ring your local council to find out if they have received a DA or notification from the carrier. If so you can visit the Council and inspect the Development Application, or ask for a copy of the carrier's notification. Find out who is making the decision on council. If it has been delegated to a Park Manager or Town Planner, you will need to pressure the councillors through letters, petitions and phone calls to assess the proposal at a full meeting of council. This means that the elected council will make the decision at a council meeting. Ring council staff or friendly councillors to find out the procedure for addressing council meetings about the matter. Different councils have different requirements. Alert the local media to the issue and ask them to attend the council meeting. Write to council detailing your objections and outlining how the tower will affect you. Keep in mind that Council can only object on the grounds of visual impact. This can include issues such as overshadowing, height, location and size. Encourage your neighbours to write letters and to phone councillors. Ask your local council to amend its Local Environment Plan to require minimum community consultation standards to be applied so that communities are aware of all applications. Contact councillors Find out if there are any sympathetic councillors on your council and ask them for support. Ask individual Councillors to come and look at the site before the council meeting so you can show them exactly what you object to.

14 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Lobby your local MP Individual MPs (both State and Federal) have a range of tools to raise the profile of your campaign or put pressure on the government. Some of the tools state and federal MPs can use to assist community campaigns include: Writing letters on your behalf to ministers or other interested parties Tabling petitions Questions to ministers (two kinds: on notice or without notice) Organising meetings with key bureaucrats and delegations to ministers Putting concerns and information on the public record by making speeches to Parliament Drawing media attention to issues through site visits, media statements and hosting or speaking at public meetings In rare cases, holding Parliamentary Inquiries into controversial developments. Government MPs can put pressure on their colleagues to change their party stance on an issue Opposition, independent and minor party MPs have a limited opportunity to introduce private members bills. Consider which of these, if any, you believe would be most appropriate and speak to your local MP about it. Your local MP may or may not be willing to take any of these steps for a variety of reasons and has no obligation to do so. Note that even opposition or minor parties are likely to split portfolios between them. This may mean that the person you originally contact may pass you through to a shadow minister or spokesperson on an issue.

State MPs The NSW Government is responsible for crown lands. To date, the State Government has allowed facilities to be installed on crown lands and been generally cooperative with the Federal Government. The State Government is also responsible for enforcing any breaches in Federal law. In many cases, the State Government will turn a blind eye unless pressured by the community. State MPs are limited in how they can intervene because the legislation governing telecommunications towers is under federal jurisdiction. The State Government could however legislate to stop towers from being built on or near school grounds. If there has been a breach in the law, the State Government can force the company to remove the tower.

15 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Federal MPs You can lobby your local MP to support proposed changes to the law that would improve public consultation and compliance with local environmental controls. Make an appointment Contact the MP's office to make an appointment. Calmly and clearly explain your position, and ask if they are aware of the development, and what your MP is doing about it. After the meeting write a letter thanking the MP and include a reference to what they promised or told you. If you ask for their suggestions or assistance in meeting with relevant government officials or departments, they will have to respond to your request. Invite an MP to an event Events could include a regular meeting, launch, or opening. This can be organised by your local residents group if there is one. Asking the MP to be a guest speaker at an event is one way to get them engaged with your campaign and the relevant issues. Organise a site visit Ask the MP to come with you to inspect the site. If they agree, make sure you can provide them with information including maps, site knowledge and an awareness of community concerns. Materials should be as concise and simple as possible – whole folders of materials are less likely to be read than short summaries with relevant information and pictures of the site. Write a letter or send a fax Letters should preferably be only one or two pages long. Keep the message clear and include a specific and appropriate question or request. Avoid excessive underlining, exclamation marks or use of capitals. Note that most letters to the main parties will often be forwarded to the relevant minister with a cover letter asking for a response. It is not unusual for responses to take around a month or more. Send your letter as early as possible. Send an email. Letters get more attention than emails, but if you are going to write an email make sure you include your full name and postal address so the MP knows you live in his or her electorate. Make it clear that you want a reply. Greens members in NSW Parliament David Shoebridge is the Greens NSW spokesperson for Planning and Infrastructure in NSW. David campaigned strongly against the undemocratic Part 3A in NSW Planning Law and continues to work to make planning in NSW more accountable and sustainable. 16 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Greens MPs have played a key role in major campaigns against inappropriate development. The Greens in NSW currently have one representative in the NSW Legislative Assembly (lower house) - Jamie Parker, who is the Member for Balmain. If you are a resident in Balmain, Jamie would be happy to provide any assistance that he can with phone towers or any other issues. More information about the Greens NSW and members of Parliament is available here: http://nsw.greens.org.au/ Greens members in Federal Parliament Senator Lee Rhiannon specifically represents NSW at a Federal level. Lee has spoken strongly in support of changes to the federal legislation that would make telecommunications companies consult with the local community and abide by local planning and environmental controls. More information about Lee's work is available here: http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/ The Greens have 10 MPs in Federal Parliament. More information about the Federal Greens Members of Parliament is available here: http://greensmps.org.au/

Contact the Media The local media can be a great place to draw attention to your issue and put pressure on councillors and companies. Many local papers are happy to represent local concerns, and may even include stories if you present them with a finished product in the form of a relatively comprehensive media release that you have written. It helps to have a number of reasonable quality photos to include with the story. Make sure the photo tells the story and will reproduce well when printed. If one paper or station picks up your story, it can be easier to get others to take notice of you. If you manage to get onto local radio in the morning, the local TV news might pick it up that night, or the paper might do a story the next day or on the weekend. When sending out a media release it is usually preferable to send it to all media outlets you are interested in targeting in one go – using BCC of course. The Format for media releases In general, a media release should: Begin with a statement that sums up what you want to say and introduces who you are Use one paragraph for each sentence

17 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Use colourful, interesting language that will make good quotes – make sure your sentences are not too long – 2-3 lines maximum Fit onto one A4 page, preferably in size 12 font – shorter can often be better Include your contact name and phone number at the bottom of the page Include a short, punchy heading in a larger font than the rest of your release/story Be accurate There is a sample media release in the Materials section of this kit. Another way to attract media attention to your story is to use talkback radio. If you are aware that a local radio station will be discussing your issue, let your networks know as soon possible. It’s a good idea to have a friend with you if you are doing interviews to give you moral support and feedback. To prepare for interviews make sure you have 3 key messages to communicate – keep it simple.

Make a flier Fliers are a great way to get your message out to people. You can letterbox your neighbourhood, hand them out at train stations or other busy places, use them on stalls or at public meetings. Here are a few tips for writing a flier: Use pictures or logos to break up the text. Less is more. For an A5 flier (half A4 size), six one-sentence bullet points is about the upper limit. Use a large font size. Print double sided if you can. That way you can fit on a lot of information and save on paper. Always put the vital information on the front. Coloured paper is more eye-catching than white paper. Make sure you include a contact phone number and/or email address so that people can contact you for more information, media comment or to offer help. Include the details of your next meeting or action Simple and uncluttered design can be particularly effective If you are handing out fliers, mornings are generally better than evenings, especially if you are handing out to people getting on a train or other public transport.

Take legal action Legal action will generally be only considered as a last resort. Getting your council to take legal action is the only way many residents can afford to pursue this option. The successful campaign in Oatley Park was won through cooperation between residents and Hurstville Council.

18 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Consult the Environmental Defenders Office in your state to see what legal avenues are open to residents and to councils. The EDO offers a free telephone advice service, the Environmental Law Line.

19 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

4. Sample Materials 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Submission to council Flier Sample petition to the NSW Legislative Council Sample petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly Sample media release Letter to minister Submission to community consultation process

20 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers Submission to council Your name Your address ATTENTION: General Manager XYZ Council Re: Mobile Phone Tower [quote reference from notification], [address of development] I live at [Street, Suburb] which is adjacent to the above property. I urge council to reject the proposal by x phone carrier for a XXm high tower at this location. The tower does not meet ‘low visual impact’ regulations and the application should be rejected. Position of Tower Include information about what it is about this particular location is a problem – is it in a park or near other recreational areas? Will the construction of the tower damage nearby trees or facilities for its installation? Is it too close to a school or aged care facility? It is too close to residential or other areas? Height of tower Will the tower be higher than surrounding structures? If so describe that this will look like. Describe how the height and size of the tower will affect the surrounding area. Will it impact on views or sight lines between areas? The tower shed Will the proposal for the shed blend in with the surrounding area? If not, describe how it will look compared to the areas around it. Are there any other issues of concern? I request, given the high visual impact of the proposed tower, the location of the antennae and shed, and the visual impacts on the adjacent parkland, that the proposal will be referred to the full meeting of Council. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak to the full meeting of Council on this matter. I can be contacted on [phone number].or by email on [email protected] Yours sincerely [SIGN] Name

21 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

Flier

Protest rally: Reclaim our XX site No more 3G towers near our schools

Clear statement of issue and action Summary of stance: what side are you on? Brief statement: why is the issue important? (The back of the flier can contain more information)

Fight [carrier]’s plans to take over our open space: the XX Site 11 am, Monday 14 April 2012 XX site main gates THIS Rd, Suburb XX Residents Action Group [phone number]

When Where (specific directions) Identify organising group with contact details.

22 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers SAMPLE PETITION TO THE NSW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

PETITION TO THE HONOURABLE THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The Petition of certain … Identify here, in general terms, who the petitioners are, e.g.: citizens of New South Wales or residents of (name of city, town, suburb) State that: … Briefly give here the facts or circumstances of the case which the petitioners wish to bring to the notice of the House. For example: The role out phone towers across Sydney by the telecommunications industry has occurred without sufficient research on their effects and without substantial consultation with local councils and communities. State planning laws are ineffective, local planning laws are being ignored and the interests of local communities are not being respected. Your petitioners request that the House will … Outline here the request for action that the House should or should not take. Request a review of Schedule 3 to the Federal Telecommunications Act (1997) in order to close this loophole. NAME

ADDRESS Give your full home address

SIGNATURE Sign your own name.

Please return to: Greens MLC David Shoebridge NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000 23 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers SAMPLE Petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly The format is fundamentally similar to that for the Legislative Council with a few minor differences: TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. The Petition of certain … Identify here, in general terms, who the petitioners are, e.g.: citizens of New South Wales or residents of (name of city, town, suburb) Brings to the attention of the House that: Briefly give here the facts or circumstances of the case which the petitioners wish to bring to the notice of the House. For example: The role out phone towers across Sydney by the telecommunications industry has occurred without sufficient research on their effects and without substantial consultation with local councils and communities. State planning laws are ineffective, local planning laws are being ignored and the interests of local communities are not being respected. The undersigned petitioners therefore ask the Legislative Assembly Outline here the request for action that the House should or should not take. Request a review of Schedule 3 to the Federal Telecommunications Act (1997) in order to close this loophole. NAME

ADDRESS Give your full home address

SIGNATURE Sign your own name.

Please return to: [insert name of relevant Legislative Assembly member here] 24 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers SAMPLE Petition to the federal parliament NOTE that unlike NSW Parliament, the Federal Parliament is able to accept electronic petitions (i.e. signed online) if they conform to some requirements. If you require assistance with this or would like to confirm that your petition complies with the standing orders a draft of your petition may be emailed to the Petitions Officer to ensure that it conforms with the standing orders or, alternatively, you can call 02 6277 3014. TO THE HONOURABLE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED: The petition of the undersigned shows: (state grievance or subject of complaint) The role out of 3G video phone towers across Sydney by the telecommunications industry is riding roughshod over local councils and communities. State planning laws are ineffective, local planning laws are being ignored and the interests of local communities are not being respected. Your petitioners request that the Senate: (state the action required) Amend Schedule 3 to the Federal Telecommunications Act (1997) in order to close this loophole. NAME

ADDRESS Give your full home address

SIGNATURE Sign your own name.

Please return to: [insert name of relevant Senator here]

25 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

Media Release

Not too long. Be descriptive. e.g. Telephone tower unwanted in Council area. A basic description of the issue and what is being called for e.g.

Local residents of are united against the building of a telephone tower by and are petitioning Council to refuse the development application in the interest of the community.

Quotations from main spokesperson e.g.

“This proposal will see a telephone tower built within an unsafe distance from our local school," spokesperson said. Notes for content of media releases:  Write in short, clear sentences.  Each quote should be 2-3 lines. Break larger quotes into shorter ones.  Tell is happening, but also ensure it contains commentary/opinion.  Write no more than seven quotes. Long, essay-like media releases don't get read. “ are calling on the Council to reject this development in the interests of the health and safety of the community,” Mr/Ms said.

provide links to relevant documentation / community website : NB: After sending the media release to your local news outlets, follow up with a phone call to see if it arrived and if the journalist has any further questions. You should also offer a photo opportunity, for example local families at the site where the telephone tower is proposed to be built.

26 | P a g e David Shoebridge, Greens NSW MP +61 2 9230 3030 http://davidshoebridge.org.au GREENS

ACTION KIT Campaigning for the safe and sensible siting of mobile phone towers

Letter to Minister [Your name] [Your address]