Review Environmental Factors: Telstra Telecommunications Tower, Royal National Park, Grays Point

Public exhibition of this review of environmental factors (REF) was held from 6 March to 6 April 2013 and provided an opportunity for members of the community to have a say in the proposal for a mobile telecommunications tower in the Temptation Creek precinct of Royal National Park.

The tower facility was to improve the performance and coverage of Telstra’s digital mobile telephone and broadband internet networks in the area, in particular for wireless data applications.

The proposed site is located about 350 metres from the nearest local street, Greenhaven Road, within a small clearing on the northern side of the Anana Management Trail that runs east–west through the park in the Grays Point area.

The proposal includes maps, photographs, diagrams and a site plan showing the location of the proposed activity, as well as details about:

• building a 35-metre-high concrete pole or pylon
• attachment of 2 panel antennas (each 2.6 m long) at a height of 35 metres on the pole
• attachment of 1 panel antenna (2.35 m long) at a height of 35 metres on the pole
• building of 1 equipment shelter (3 m x 2.5 m)
• a proposed additional 9 antennas for future installation on the pole.

The facility would be located within a 60-square-metre compound, with an asset protection zone around the compound. The compound would be located on the northern side of the Anana Management Trail, which allows vehicle access. Trenches would be created along the Anana Management Trail to install conduits and pits to run electrical power and fibre to the proposed site from Greenhaven Road.

This REF was determined in 2015 and development of the facility approved.