Wireless Community Consultation - Bardon QLD
This page provides additional information and email links for feedback on Telstra’s multiple-site proposal to maintain mobile coverage in Bardon (an inner city suburb of Brisbane).
- Community Update - 24 February 2012
- Community Update - 8 December 2011
- Community Update - 29 November 2011
- Community Update - 24 August 2011
- Community Update - 6 July 2011
- Community Update - 1 June 2011
- Community Update - 13 January 2011
- Bardon Community Update - 28 October 2010
- Background information
- What Telstra is doing to keep Bardon connected
- Bardon Central
- Bardon East
- Bardon South
- Why Telstra is Proposing a Multiple-Site Solution
- Temporary Facility (only required until new facilities are in service)
- Bardon and electromagnetic energy (EME)
- Feedback and having your say
- Information Kiosk
- Frequently Asked Questions
Community Update - 24 February 2012
Community Update - 24 February 2012
Bardon EME Survey Report
In November 2011 the existing mobile base station in Main Street, Bardon was replaced with 3 new smaller mobile base stations.
Following the commissioning of the replacement facilities, Telstra engaged an independent NATA RF Assessor, EMC Technologies Pty Ltd to prepare a post commissioning EME survey to determine compliance with the ARPANSA EME Safety standard, known as the Radiation Protection Standard RPS3 (2002).
Both the survey locations and independent NATA RF Assessor were jointly selected by Telstra and the "No Towers Near Schools" group representing the Bardon community. The EME survey results and report by EMC Technologies has been independently reviewed by ARPANSA.
The survey demonstrates that EME levels from all mobile base stations and TV and FM radio broadcast are less than 1% of the ARPANSA EME safety limits in all locations.
The maximum EME level measured at the Rainworth State School was 0.015% of the ARPANSA EME safety limits from the FM and TV broadcast services.
The maximum EME level from the mobile base stations at the Rainworth State School was 0.0014% of the ARPANSA EME safety limits.
The maximum EME level measured in the Bardon area from the mobile base stations was 0.49% of the ARPANSA EME safety limits.
Downloads:
If you would like additional information please contact us via email on ACIF.Enquiries@team.telstra.com
Community Update - 8 December 2011
Telstra’s Next G® Network upgrade in Bardon for LTE
The launch of Long Term Evolution 4G/LTE mobile broadband services on the Telstra’s Next G network means Australians have access to one of the world's most advanced mobile networks delivering some of the fastest download and upload speeds available anywhere. LTE is a national upgrade to Telstra’s Next G Network and uses the 1800MHz radio frequency spectrum previously used for 2G services.
Telstra will implement this technology at two sites in Bardon in the New Year, Bardon East at Norman Buchan Park (534 Rainworth Road) and Bardon South in Birdwood Terrace (ENERGEX Pole No. 14247). No additional antennas are being added to the Bardon sites as part of the LTE upgrade, however, some antennas will be replaced with more modern models.
There will be no material change to the EME levels which will continue to operate well within the prescribed range. As with 3G technology, when a 4G call is made the base station and mobile device reduce their power automatically to the lowest level required to maintain a connection. The EME Report predicts the maximum signal strength from the proposed facility - assuming that it is handling the maximum number of phone calls possible 24-hours a day. In reality, mobile base stations are designed to operate at the lowest possible power - lower than the maximum capacity demonstrated in the EME Report.
More information on the LTE network upgrade in Bardon can be obtained from Matthew Brown, Urbis Pty Ltd, Ph: (07) 3007 3800. Updated EME Reports will be available on the Radio Frequency National Site Archive at www.rfnsa.com.au
You can read more about Telstra’s 4G (LTE) on the Next G® network at telstra.com.au/mobile/networks/network_info/
Community Update - 29 November 2011
On 14 November 2011, Telstra decommissioned the existing mobile base station facility at Main Avenue Bardon. As part of the multi site proposal, three new base stations have now been installed and commissioned providing continued mobile service to the Bardon area. The existing Telstra base station at Main Avenue, which is no longer in operation will be dismantled in the near future
Telstra would like to thank the Bardon community for their input and support for the multi site solution to ensure Next G® mobile services are maintained for the Bardon community.
We would especially like to acknowledge the effort all parties have played over the past two years to find a successful solution.
If you would like additional information please contact us via email on ACIF.Enquiries@team.telstra.com
Community Update - 24 August 2011
Your mobile coverage may be affected in Bardon, Queensland.
We’re decommissioning a 2G GSM base station in Main Avenue, Bardon.
This means that if you are a pre-paid or post paid Telstra mobile customer, your mobile coverage may be reduced, or not available, when using some handsets indoors or near Main Avenue.
The change will take effect from 14 November, 2011.
A map of the Main Avenue 2G Base station location:
You may experience problems with:
- a 2G handset (also known as GSM)
or
- a Next G® handset with a 2G SIM card in it.
If you believe your coverage will be affected, you may want to consider upgrading to the Next G® network.
How will I know if I have a 2G handset?
Usually by the age of the handset. If you bought the handset on contract from Telstra in the last three years, it probably isn’t 2G. If you bought the handset pre-paid or outright from somewhere else, it could be a 2G phone. If you’re not sure – then check the user manual, search the internet for the model number, or bring your handset into a Telstra store.
How will I know which SIM card I have?
The best way is to look at the artwork on your SIM card.
a) If it’s a 3G card (for use on the Next G® network) it should have a Next G® logo printed on the front.
b) For current Prepaid and Starter kits; some 3G SIM cards (for use on the Next G® network) can be identified with a “T” logo and a Love Hart symbol
If the SIM does not look like the above pictures, it is most likely a 2G SIM card and you won’t be receiving the full benefits of the Next G® network, even if you have a 3G (Next G®) handset.
Changes will only affect some users
Coverage in greater Bardon, other than around Main Avenue, will not be affected for any 2G handset or 2G SIM users. And if you’re using a Next G® handset with a Next G® SIM card, you’ll continue to enjoy great reception. If you’re interested in upgrading your handset or SIM card, we suggest talking to us as soon as you can.
Bring your phone to any of these Telstra stores:
- Level 3, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, 318 Moggill Rd, Indooroopilly
- Shop GA21, Toowong Village Shopping Centre, 9 Sherwood Rd, Toowong
- Shop 98, Brookside Shopping Centre, 159 Osborne Rd, Mitchelton
- Shop B2, 275 George St, Brisbane
- 152 Queen St Mall, Brisbane
- Shop 30, Queens Plaza, 226 Queen St, Brisbane
If you are a Telstra Business customer, to discuss your Next G network options, simply contact your Telstra Account Executive, visit your nearest Telstra Business Centre, or call us on 1800 731 874, 9am to 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
Telstra Business Centres near Bardon are located at:
- Brisbane City - Level 3, 77 Hudson Rd, Albion QLD 4010
- Brisbane East - 3359 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek QLD 4127
- Brisbane North - 367 Newman Road Geebung QLD 4034
- Brisbane West - Suite 4, 211 Montague Rd, West End QLD 4101
For other Telstra Business Centre locations refer: http://www.telstrabusiness.com/business/regions
If you are a Telstra Enterprise & Government customer, to talk about your Next G network options, simply contact your Telstra Account Executive, or call us on 1800 730 062, 9am to 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
Community Update - 6 July 2011
Telstra would like to thank the Bardon community for their input to the proposed alternative site for Bardon Central. Telstra’s consultation report and decision to proceed with the alternative site has been submitted to the Brisbane City Council.
Bardon East has been completed and Telstra is aiming to combine the construction of Bardon Central with Bardon South in mid-late July depending on alignment with Energex. All three sites will be integrated into the network at the same time as part of the replacement and decommissioning of the existing Bardon facility.
Telstra will continue to provide updates on this site Specific enquiries can be addressed to Telstra via email at ACIF.Enquiries@team.telstra.com
Community Update - 1 June 2011
Telstra would like to thank the Bardon community for their ongoing support while our efforts along with Energex were diverted addressing the Queensland flood crisis.Telstra has now finalised options with Energex in relation to an alternative facility at Bardon Central (the third and final site in the multi-site solution). The new Bardon Central proposal consists of a small facility, known as a street cell, mounted on a light pole on the southern side of Leworthy Street, approximately 25 metres north-west from the junction with Boundary Road. Details of the proposal are available further down this web page.
Telstra will commence notification and consultation in accordance with the requirements of the ACIF Deployment of Mobile Network Infrastructure Code on 1st June 2011. It is anticipated that the Bardon Central site will be operational in August 2011.
Telstra welcomes your feedback on this revised proposal by COB 15th June 2011. Contact us via email on ACIF.Enquiries@team.telstra.com
Community Update - 13 January 2011
Due to the flood crisis in Brisbane and South East Queensland, Telstra has deferred the commissioning of the new sites at Bardon South, and Bardon East while our resources focus on assisting with the flood recovery efforts. Telstra will also defer the community consultation and notification for the revised Bardon Central proposal until the flood crisis has passed.Bardon Community Update - 28 October 2010
Telstra would like to thank the Bardon community for actively participating in the recent consultation program for Telstra’s multi-site proposal to maintain mobile coverage in Bardon. Overall, the feedback from the community regarding the extended consultation period, the website and the information kiosks was very constructive.
As advised in the community update of 27 August 2010, Telstra has elected to proceed with the construction of the facilities at Bardon South and Bardon East. Construction is expected to commence within the next two weeks and will be completed by the end of November 2010.
Telstra is currently finalising options with Energex in relation to an alternative facility at Bardon Central (the third and final site in the multi-site solution). Once a decision is made in relation to the Bardon Central site, Telstra will commence notification and consultation in accordance with the requirements of the ACIF Deployment of Mobile Network Infrastructure Code. It is anticipated that the Bardon Central site will be operational in early 2011.
As previously advised, the temporary facility in the parklands at 67 Main Avenue, will only be required if the permanent facilities are not constructed and operational prior to the decommissioning of the existing Bardon facility at Main Avenue. The owner of the existing Main Avenue site has confirmed that Telstra can continue to operate its facility at this location until late 2010. Telstra will review the status of the permanent facilities later this year and, in the unlikely event that the temporary facility is required, Telstra will advise the community.
Telstra has advised the ACMA that the original proposal at 27 Gerler Street will not be proceeding and has removed the proposal from the Radio Frequency National Site Archive.
Background information
Telstra has had a mobile network facility located at Main Avenue, near the Rainworth State School, for 15 years. This facility, which provides Next G™ and GSM services, will soon be decommissioned to make way for the site owner’s planned redevelopment.
If it is not replaced with a new local facility, some of our Telstra mobile and wireless broadband customers may experience diminished network performance and coverage in the Bardon area.
What Telstra is doing to keep Bardon connected
In order to maintain the level of mobile services to the Bardon area, Telstra has been working on plans for a replacement facility since late 2008.
Last year Telstra proposed to replace the existing Main Avenue facility with a new facility in Gerler Street. This proposal attracted significant community feedback and opposition.
In response to the community’s feedback, Telstra now proposes a revised solution to maintain Next G™ services in Bardon. This proposal consists of three Next G™ facilities installed on existing infrastructure in the suburb.
Telstra has named the three proposed new sites:
- Bardon Central
- Bardon South
- Bardon East
Bardon Central
Proposed facility: A small mobile base station facility, known as a street cell, mounted on a light pole.
Location: The southern side of Leworthy Street, approximately 25 metres north-west from the junction with Boundary Road. More information on this proposed facility can be downloaded:
Bardon East
Proposed facility: Co-locate our antennae on the existing telecommunications pole in Norman Buchan Park and install a new equipment shelter.
Location: Norman Buchan Park, Bardon. More information on this proposed facility can be downloaded:
Bardon South
Proposed facility: A small mobile base station facility, known as a street cell, mounted on a light pole.
Location: The southern side of Birdwood Terrace, approximately 150 metres South-South-West from the junction with Harwood Street, on pole number 14247. More information on this proposed facility can be downloaded:
Why Telstra is Proposing a Multiple-Site Solution
Last year, when Telstra proposed a replacement facility at Gerler Street, the feedback received from the community indicated that further consideration of alternative options was warranted.
The hilly local terrain has played a part in proposing a multiple-site solution. Telstra has not found any other single-facility location that would maintain the existing coverage in the Bardon area.
The proposal to locate multiple facilities on existing infrastructure further away from Bardon’s local primary school, Rainworth State School, was suggested to Telstra by several residents during last year's consultation program.
Multiple-site solutions are rare and can often result in increased radio signal levels. However, Telstra has worked hard on the design of this solution to maintain service across Bardon, while also ensuring that the EME levels in the community remain low. In fact, the new design with street cells means the EME levels will be even lower than our previous single-site proposal at Gerler Street.
The three proposed mobile base stations suggested as part of the multiple site solution are all located further away from Rainworth State School. Importantly, they have been carefully designed to ensure that their individual and combined radiofrequency EME level is lower than the previously proposed Gerler Street facility (details of the maximum predicted EME levels for each of the proposed sites are outlined on Bardon and EME).
Telstra believes that this is a well considered and responsible proposal that takes community feedback into account as best as possible and has the least visual and environmental impact at Bardon. This proposal:
- uses existing infrastructure, making the proposal visually discreet
- maintains Next G™ services while minimising radiofrequency EME levels at the school and across the broader community as best as possible
- locates all mobile base stations further away from Rainworth State School, in line with the broader community expectation expressed in last year’s consultation program
- adopts a community-based recommendation for a low-powered, multiple-site solution.
Temporary Facility (only required until new facilities are in service)
Telstra expects the existing facility at Main Avenue may have to be decommissioned before the multiple-site solution can be completed.
Therefore, Telstra proposes to install a temporary facility in the parklands off 67 Main Avenue, Bardon.
This temporary facility will maintain the existing level of Next G™ coverage to the local area, including the ability to make or receive mobile calls to and from emergency services.
This temporary facility is not designed to be part of the permanent multiple-site proposal suggested above. It will be removed once the permanent replacement facilities are established
Telstra has carefully considered the location and design of the temporary facility to ensure that the EME levels are minimised, while still maintaining local service.
The proposed temporary facility will be located further away from Rainworth State School than the existing facility on Main Avenue.
The temporary mobile base station is designed to operate with a maximum EME level of just 0.26% of the limit set by the Australian EME safety standard (more on Bardon and EME). This predicted maximum EME level:
- has been independently verified by an EME assessor
- is lower than the predicted maximum EME level of our existing facility at Main Avenue, which is 0.79% of the limit set by the Australian EME safety standard
- is considerably lower than the previously proposed facility at Gerler Street, which had a predicted maximum EME level of 5.28% of the standard.
Proposed facility: A temporary mobile base station facility with 20 metre high pole.
Location: Parklands at 67 Main Avenue, Bardon. More information on this proposed facility can be downloaded:
Bardon and electromagnetic energy (EME)
Telstra acknowledges that some members of the Bardon community are genuinely concerned about possible health effects from the radiofrequency EME output from mobile base stations. We are committed to addressing these concerns responsibly. View information on Bardon and EME.Feedback and having your say
Telstra welcomes your feedback and encourages you to ask questions and seek additional information about the new multiple-site proposal. Telstra is conducting a formal notification and consultation process in accordance with the provisions of the Deployment of Mobile Phone Network Infrastructure Code (ACIF Code).
You can:
- contact us via email on ACIF.Enquiries@team.telstra.com
- write to ‘Site Acquisition Manager, Telstra Corporation Ltd, Locked Bag 3708, Brisbane, 4000’
- talk to one of our team at the information kiosk (see details below).
Importantly, the closing date for formal submissions is 6 August 2010. Please make sure you lodge comments - verbally or in writing - prior to the closing date so they can be considered.
Information Kiosk
| Venue: | Bardon Uniting Church Hall, 232 Simpsons Road, Bardon (opposite Bowman Park). See Whereis® map for directions. |
Times:
| Monday 19 July | 12pm - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm |
| Thursday 22 July | 12pm - 4pm and 5pm - 8pm |
| Saturday 24 July | 8am - 12.30pm |
Frequently Asked Questions
Download the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 102KB), last issued 9 July 2010, for more information about the new proposal.
