Proposed Hemaford Grove phone tower not being built

The proposed Hemaford Grove phone tower is not going to be built.

At last week’s council meeting, we resolved to not grant landowners’ consent for a proposed 25m tall telecommunications tower, which would have been built right in their backyard, on council land, literally metres from the front windows of some houses.

The local Gawler East residents have avidly campaigned over the past 18 months, and thanks to their hard work, we as a council have been able to listen and act on their behalf, to ensure the structure isn’t built, on what is council land, set aside for community use.

Yes, we must acknowledge that in this day and age, we need to have land to build what has become essential utilities. But, that doesn’t mean we should just be pushed around and build them where it’s the least hassle for massive telcos, at the detriment of the local community. It needs to be on land strategically set aside, right from the start, the same way water, gas and electricity is in all new developments.

This has been a huge win for the residents of Hemaford Grove, and our community, and shows what can happen when government, private business, and local communities band together, to achieve an outcome that is best for us all.

Thank you to the local residents who brought this to our attention, and I strongly encourage you and the rest of our community to continue engaging with your council into the future.