Suzie Christensen, Lord Howe Island Board, The Lord Howe Island Signal

At its September meeting, the Board considered a paper regarding a proposed mobile phone microcell. A copy of the Business Paper and all attachments is available on the LHIB website for review, and feedback is invited.

Background

Lord Howe Island is not currently serviced by a mobile phone network due to its remoteness. In recognition, Telstra has identified a need to provide coverage to the Island and granted funding as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspot program round 5.

Telstra has requested that the Board confirm that the development is exempt, and have applied for Owners Consent.

Advice from LHIB’s planning consultant (which includes a copy of the construction plans) has confirmed that the development is exempt under Schedule 1, Clause 9 of the LHI LEP 2021, and recommend approval of Owners Consent. The business paper and attachments are available on the website.

A report estimating the Electro Magnetic Energy has been submitted and is also available on the LHIB website. Enquiries to Telstra indicate that a second facility at the southern end of the Island should enable coverage for the majority of the settlement area, with the technology available at the end of 2023 at a cost of approximately $250,000.

While the granting of owner’s consent for this development does not require a Development Application, nor public notification, the Board is aware that there is a diverse range of views regarding the proposal, and is therefore putting the paper on public exhibition and inviting feedback over a 4-week period:

21 October 2022 – 18 November 2022

If you have questions or would like to comment on the Business Paper : Item 15.1 Mobile phone microcel please email administration@lhib.nsw.gov.au or mail your feedback to:

Lord Howe Island Board
PO Box 5
Lord Howe Island NSW 2898

This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 October 2022.