BY JULIE ALBERDI
& JILL WESTAWAY
MELBOURNE On September 8, residents of Heidelberg Heights won their campaign against the erection of a mobile phone tower on their local church.
They had been advised in mid-August by the Rosanna Baptist Church that it was considering entering into an agreement with the Orange telecommunications company to erect a mobile phone antenna in the shape of a cross.
After extensive research conducted by some residents into the health risks associated with radiation from mobile towers (especially for children), residents decided to campaign against the proposal. They collected letters and signatures of objection to present to the church and organised a public forum attended by a church representative.
Leaflets were letterboxed to households in the vicinity of the church. Two protest rallies were held outside the church.
Prior to the protests, parishioners had voted in favour of the proposed antenna. After the second rally, the church planning committee informed residents that a parishioners' meeting had been called to re-examine the decision.
At the meeting, parishioners overwhelmingly voted to reverse the decision.
Orange may consider other options to erect its antenna. To get involved in the campaign contact Julie Alberdi on (03) 9457 4083 or 0403 306 735.
From Green Left Weekly, September 18, 2002.
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