VICTORIA Point residents fear their property values will plummet with a 35-metre-tall 5G tower proposed for Bunker Road.
The concrete pole, set to be built at 171-179 Bunker Road, will include nine panel antennas including three new 5G antennas.
It will also include an equipment shelter and a gravel track from the facility to the existing access entry. The tower would be one of the first to bring Telstra 5G coverage to the Redlands, with the company working to roll out the technology across Australia since May.
Resident Lex Schotel said the tower would be about 50 metres away from the edge of his property and would be visible from his home.
"We're not opposed to a tower but we don't think it should be so close to us," he said.
Richard McCormack - who also lives about 50 metres away from the site - said residents felt powerless to stop or alter the development.
"There's been no consideration for the impact it's going to have. We've worked hard for years for these homes and it's heart-wrenching."
Peter "Hooly" Houliston from Freedom Property said the tower could affect property values by up to 30 per cent, or add three to six months to the sale time.
"You can't hide that wart...it's a big turnoff for people," he said.
"If someone comes along and builds a 35-metre structure that can be clearly seen from your yard, that will have a tremendous impact."
Telstra regional general manager May Boisen said Telstra had considered seven sites for the tower and decided the Bunker Road property would best maximise coverage and minimise impact on residents.
"The base of the proposed site will be screened by existing vegetation and can also be colour matched to its surroundings, to further aid with visual impact," she said.
Residents said the trees - which were roughly 20 metres tall - would hide only about half of the 35 metre tower.
Home owner Isabel Monk also raised health concerns, saying there had been no long-term studies done to examine the risks of 5G and residents did not want to be guinea pigs.
Ms Boisen said Telstra had conducted electromagnetic energy testing on its 5G network and found levels to be similar to 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi.
"In fact, 5G wireless networks are designed to be very efficient and minimise EME," she said.
Ms Boisen said the site was zoned rural and a development application was not required.
"We identified the area needed a new tower to resolve a local black spot issue that was causing customers to experience call drop outs and slow data speeds," she said.
"The proposed site is considered to be the best network solution to resolve current coverage and capacity issues experienced in the south of Victoria Point. The proposed tower will also provide additional capacity for future housing developments."
She said 5G would also improve 4G capacity and speeds for other Telstra customers.
Residents could make submissions to Aurecon by December 4.
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