A senate committee lead by former Federal Greens leader Senator Bob Brown has recommended the dropping of a bill that seeks to make a range of changes to planning requirements for mobile phone towers.

 

The laws surrounding the mobile phone tower construction have been a concern for local government bodies since their inception in 1997, with exemption of state and territory planning requirements causing particular concern amongst local government bodies.

 

The committee also heard that the bill may have a range of unintended consequences relating to the deployment and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, such as emergency communications facilities, simple maintenance and state and territory planning legislation.

 

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) argued that the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure should be subject to planning and regulations that best serve the interest of the local community.

 

The ALGA also supported a greater emphasis on heath and safety concerns relating to electromagnetic radiation, welcoming Senator Brown's intention to mandate the precautionary principle and on placing a greater emphasis on addressing health and safety concerns.