Bulletin - Vol 9 No. 1 January/February 2006

Bunbury Lighthouse is located in the residential area of Marlston Hill Photo: Winsome Bonham

Telstra under fire over lighthouse plan handling

Published on ABC Southwest WA, Friday, 20 January 2006

The federal Member for Forrest has criticised Telstra for a lack of transparency in its efforts to install a mobile phone transmitter on the Bunbury lighthouse site.

Telstra is now considering alternative sites, after long running concerns by nearby residents in the Marlston Hill area.

Telstra signage at the Bunbury lighthouse photographed in December 2004  Photo: Denise Shultz

The Member for Forrest, Geoff Prosser, has criticised Telstra's handling of the issue, saying it acted poorly in refusing to have the plan scrutinised by Bunbury City Council.

"Well, I think that Telstra were acting as lousy corporate citizens on this matter," he said.

"They claimed they didn't need to get planning approval from the Bunbury City Council. Telstra would know that they wouldn't get planning approval for a telecommunications tower on the historic listed Bunbury lighthouse."

But Telstra spokesman Ray Philp says the company still believes the lighthouse site may be the best option as it will provide the best level of service to residents in the Marlston Hill area.

"It really is a balancing act from the point of view of taking into consideration community concerns and our obligation to provide mobile coverage to our customers," he said.

Source: http://abc.net.au/news/items/200601/1551678.htm?southwestwa

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