As part of my final year in university I published a thesis in 2008 titled Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW. I chose this topic because I was working at an urban planning consultancy which was responsible for preparing the planning applications for the 3G network for one of the largest telecommunications company in Australia.
I worked there for around six months and the complexity of this aspect of the planning industry interested me to the extent that I wrote my thesis on this subject.
Please feel free to download the thesis here.
Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW- full version (PDF, 7.5mb)
Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW- part 1 (PDF, 3.6mb)
Includes: Introduction, Deployment of Mobile Phone Towers and Planning System for Mobile Phone Towers
Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW- part 2 (PDF, 2.9mb)
Includes: Consultation System and Major Case Study- Leura Development Application
Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW- part 3 (PDF, 546kb)
Includes: Leura Shopkeepers Survey and Second Case Study- Oakley Park Proposal
Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW- part 4 (PDF, 95kb)
Includes: Conclusion, Recommendations and References
Planning for Mobile Phone Towers in NSW- part 5 (PDF, 403kb)
Includes: Appendix A- Mobile Phone Industry, Appendix B- Information for Interviewees, Appendix C- Evaluation of Relevant Legislation, Appendix D- Leura DA Background of Assessment Process, Appendix F- Leura DA Reasons for Refusal, Appendix G- Telstra’s Consultation Report and Appendix H- Leura Shopkeepers Survey
Abstract
In the 21st Century the provision of telecommunications has become an integral component in the development of modern cities. The deployment project for the 3G mobile phone network has placed increasing pressure on the NSW planning systems in assessing the necessary telecommunications infrastructure, in particular mobile phone towers. The telecommunications industry contributes significantly to the economic health of the state and it is therefore imperative that there are appropriate systems to assist the development of these towers. Regardless of current scientific evidence which suggests the towers cause no health impacts, the public is still concerned about their placement, resulting in classic ‘not-in-my-back-yard’ conflicts.
In this thesis, the complex processes involved in the deployment of mobile phone towers are critically analysed, and recommendations are made to improve the current system. A controversial tower proposed in Leura is used as the major case study for this thesis. Given the complexity and sensitivity of the topic, interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the industry, and surveys of Leura shopkeepers were undertaken to provide a balanced research approach. The Leura experience demonstrates the influence of a closely-knit community and highlights concerns about limitations in the planning and consultation procedures used for the development of mobile phone towers.
