Councillor Scott Collins was the only councillor opposed to the development application expressing concerns in regards to the health risk.

“I don’t believe there is enough information on the health risk of these towers,” Cr Collins said.

“There has been a lot of community angst about it and I think it would be better placed at another location.”

The proposal had received mixed feelings amongst Harden community members with some residents speaking out about the fears of the radiation emitted from the tower causing health concerns for residents and young children.

Only one member of the public addressed the meeting in regards to the tower, which was Telstra representative Rob Cusack who again spoke on the health issues and concerns which had been raised by residents.

During Mr Cusack’s presentation he said tests had been conducted on the radiation emissions which reached the Murrumburrah High School and said they were 2439 times below permissible standards set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

Telstra also undertook additional consultation with the community sending out letters to over 130 residents in the vicinity of McLean Oval with not one response being received in return from the community.

Extremely disappointed with the approval of the tower was Station Street resident Bob Molloy.

“I’m very disappointed, I thought there would be more public outcry about the tower and more public input,” Mr Molloy said.

“I think it highlights the fact that people aren’t interested.

“I feel it’s (the radiation) something unknown and it won’t be the older residents it affects it will be the younger generation who may have problems years down the track.”

Mr Cusack said Telstra still had some finalising to be done on the project but construction

would hopefully start in the next three to six months.