Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
1.
INTRODUCTION
There are about 320 telecommunication masts within the Tshwane municipal
boundaries and it is expected that this number will increase steadily over the next
few years. It can also be expected that there will be pressure on the local
authorities in future to improve a large number of the telecommunication masts in
the area, especially as Cell C, the third service provider, has been awarded a
licence. This report concerns a study on the factors that influence the decision
on the placement of telecommunication masts.
2.
Public health
One of the concerns over cellular masts is the possible health effects of
electromagnetic waves.
Cellular technology operates at ultra-high
frequency (UHF). At this stage there seems to be no clear understanding
of the effects of cellular technology on humans and other species. There
is no proof that cellular technology poses a health risk, but there is also no
proof to the contrary. The World Health Organization is busy with various
studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields. The first results are only
expected in the year 2003.
It must be kept in mind that public relations is very important for social
stability and that rebellious communities are difficult to satisfy. That is why
it is important to avoid action that may cause problems in the community.
Public safety
Public safety could be affected if, for example, a telecommunication mast
is placed on flight paths close to airports. Safety could also be a cause for
concern if the structures are not up to standard or are erected without the
necessary permission.
5.
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
Erect the masts away from densely populated and residential areas
Examples:
A.
B.
neutral colours; or
cylinders, silos, flagpoles and bell towers.
Co-location
A very effective way of camouflaging cellular masts and creating a better
aesthetic appearance is co-locating, ie co-locating the cellular antenna
with satellite dishes and other antennas on one tower. The total cost for
all the service providers is lower as it is divided among them. The main
problem with co-location is usually the unwillingness of service providers
to cooperate.
Policy
The problems that the cellular industry create through their strategies
should be solved with transparent policies of their own. A policy that
protects the community and the parties involved would have good results
and would be highly recommended.
Balance
The best solution to the problems that the community experience is to
ensure that there is a balance between the needs of local government, the
communities and the market forces. It must be kept in mind that these
special needs must be fulfilled within a balanced structure.
Community participation
Another effective solution that ensures that the needs of the community
are fulfilled is community participation.
It is recommended that
educational projects be sponsored and solution teams be formed to relate
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) confers a right
to all persons to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
The community in Tshwane thus has the right to question the safety of
telecommunications structures that has not yet been proven safe.
This division proposes the following:
The applicant should explore all possible alternative site locations other
than schools, permanently occupied residences and any other location as
identified by the community during the public participation process, in
order to minimise possible health aspects in the community.
If evidence in future link RF emissions with health issues, the CTMM will
have the right to review existing masts, ask for modifications or
demolishment at the cost of its owner if the situation calls for it.
Public safety
The applicant must ensure that:
o Special precaution has been taken to ensure that no airstrip, road
or other public transport structure used by the public are
endangered due to impairment of movement or visibility of aircraft,
vehicles ect.
o All structures are fenced or walled to limit public access to it. If the
base station is a secured building, sufficient precaution must be
made to prevent access to the antenna support structure. Access to
the area must be strictly controlled through a locked gate.
If the structure will be co-used to put up lights for security purposes, written
consent of surrounding land users must be obtained. Lights must be screened in
such a way as to prevent light pollution.
Aesthetical problems
The applicant must proof that all methods available to assimilate the
proposed structure with the environment has been made.
The applicant must ensure that the structure has an ongoing maintenance
schedule to keep it visually attractive.
Biological concerns
The applicant must ensure that sites with high erosion potential due to
steep slopes, soil type, poor vegetation etc have specific erosion control
measures in place. Erosion control measures apply for the site itself as
well as the access road.
All environmentally damaged areas, in and outside the fenced area must
be rehabilitated to their original condition as soon as possible.
The structure and all related elements must be removed from the site
when the structure ceases to be used for telecommunication purposes.
The site must be rehabilitated to a condition that is similar to surrounding
vegetation.
Noise problems
The applicant must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the
telecommunications structure and its equipment do not cause a noise nuisance.
Sensitive areas, rural and natural environment
The applicant must have specific visual and biological mitigation procedures in
place if sensitive land-use areas cant be avoided. Such mitigation procedures
have to be approved by the CTMM before construction commences.
General
7.
This division will have the right to inspect the site at regular intervals to
determine the state of the environment on and around it and take any
steps it deems necessary if the environment is harmed/neglected in any
way.
POLICIES OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
This Division investigated two other local policies in South Africa, namely those of
Cape Town and Johannesburg. The two policies can be summarised as follows:
Cape Town
The Cape Town approach focuses on the following elements:
Johannesburg
In 2000 the then Greater Johannesburg Northern Metropolitan Local Council
published by-laws relating to the erection and evaluation of cellular masts and
other antennas. The by-laws determine that application must be made for
antennas higher than 20 m. Certain antennas that are disguised as trees and that
are not higher than 20 m are approved by means of building plans.
The by-laws also provide for certain environmental considerations which are
more or less the same as those stipulated in this report.
Different aspects of each of these policies were incorporated in this report. This
ensures that there is consistency in terms of policy.
8.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
After the problems of telecommunication masts and their solutions had been
studied, the proposed management guidelines for telecommunication masts were
formulated. The proposed management guidelines can be summarised as
follows:
8
General
The location of all telecommunication masts must be discussed by the
applicant with the Housing and Land Use Department before any
application is submitted.
Access to the proposed site of the telecommunication mast must be
discussed with the Roads and Stormwater Department prior to the
submission of an application.
The location of telecommunication masts outside residential areas is
preferred.
The future planning of the area around a telecommunication mast site
must be taken into consideration.
Co-location on existing masts must be encouraged and, if co-location is
not possible, evidence must be provided that diligent efforts were made to
co-locate.
Telecommunication mast sites must be located as close as possible to
similar structures such as water towers, high mast lighting and high
buildings.
Natural contours and vegetation must be used where possible to minimise
the visual effects of telecommunication masts.
Building lines as defined in the relevant town-planning schemes and title
deeds must be applicable to all telecommunication structures. The normal
process of building line relaxation and the removal of restrictive title deed
conditions will be applicable.
If the Municipality requires, the applicant must supply at least one
alternative type of or site for the telecommunication structure that has a
lower visual impact.
The permission of the South African Civil Aviation Authority must be
obtained and submitted to the Municipality before a telecommunication
mast is erected.
The local authority may request additional public participation if it is felt
that the participation has been inadequate.
Residential areas
The location of telecommunication antennas and masts on buildings is
recommended. The buildings must be multi-storey buildings.
If it is not possible to locate the antennas and masts on buildings or if it is
not possible to co-locate them with existing antennas and masts, the best
alternative locations are neighbourhood centres or church grounds.
School grounds can be investigated as a location option, but the
public resistance to these locations must be taken into account.
9
RECOMMENDED:
1.
2.
Procedural requirements
All rooftop antennas that are not higher than 3 m, as measured from the top
of the roof of a structure, must be exempted from the application process.
(Telecommunication containers and lift structures will not be regarded as
part of the roof of a structure.) Normal building plans processes will be
applicable.
11
General
Residential areas
12
Rooftop antennas
The container of the antenna must be set back as far as possible from the
edges of the roof.
An engineers loading endorsement and appointment form must
accompany the architectural drawings.
13
If evidence in future link RF emissions with health issues, the CTMM will
have the right to review existing masts, ask for modifications or
demolishment at the cost of its owner if the situation calls for it.
Special precaution has been taken to ensure that no airstrip, road or other
public transport structure used by the public are endangered due to
impairment of movement or visibility of aircraft, vehicles ect.
All structures are fenced or walled to limit public access to it. If the base
station is a secured building, sufficient precaution must be made to
prevent access to the antenna support structure. Access to the area must
be strictly controlled through a locked gate.
If the structure will be co-used to put up lights for security purposes,
written consent of surrounding land users must be obtained. Lights must
be screened in such a way as to prevent light pollution.
The applicant must ensure that the structure has an ongoing maintenance
schedule to keep it visually attractive.
The applicant must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the
telecommunications structure and its equipment do not cause a noise
nuisance.
The location of telecommunication masts must also be discussed with the
Environmental Resource Protection division prior to approval to clarify any
environmental- and health concerns.
14
15
16