Telstra is expanding the capacity of telecommunication infrastructure in Campbelltown to help meet unprecedented demand for digital access.
The giant Australian tech company has also invoked the “work without delay’’ provision in the Telecommunications Act, which means it does not have to advise local authorities such as councils or private property owners that it is doing the work.
However Telstra has notified Campbelltown Council that it will be carrying out urgent essential works on telecommunications infrastructure throughout the town.
The work could take weeks or months, Telstra told council.
Work will include urgent cable jointing, cable hauling, essential pit and pipe construction (or replacement), provision of temporary facilities and critical fault rectification on public and private land.
Usually, advice would need to be supplied to council under the Telecommunications Act as either the local authority or in many cases, as the land owner, that works will be undertaken.
The “work without delay’’ provisions do not however permit the construction and operation of mobile telephone facilities that are not low impact.
This means that new mobile phone or NBN antenna towers are not included in the provisions and normal notification and approval processes still apply.
A report to Campbelltown Council said the advice from Telstra “notes that works are prioritised to ensure adequate communications are provided to essential services, such as infrastructure and service providers, emergency services, aged care and acute care medical facilities (hospitals and fever clinics), critical commerce (supermarkets, service stations and warehouse/distribution centres) and schools.’’
The works will be carried out during business hours where possible and will be undertaken “safely and to industry standards’’.
Where applicable, pedestrian and traffic management measures will be implemented with safety signs being displayed when the work is in progress.
“After completion of civil works, affected landowners will be provided with as built drawings identifying the location, nature of the completed works and the timing in which the activities were conducted,’’ said the report to councillors.
