Cooran - Development Application

undertaken in keeping with the methodology stipulated by ARPANSA 8 ,
demonstrates the maximum signal strength that the facility is capable of
transmitting, and thereby demonstrates the worst-case scenario regarding radio
signal strength from the proposed facility.

The EME Report associated with this site is attached in Appendix E. The report
shows that the maximum predicted radiofrequency signal strength or EME from
the proposed facility would equate to 0.31% of the maximum exposure limit.
This is approximately 3225 times below the maximum allowable safety limit for
24-hour exposure to radiofrequency signals exposure limit (where 100% of the
limit is still considered to be safe).

All nbn™ network installations are designed and certified by qualified
professionals in accordance with all relevant Australian Standards. This ensures
that the nbn™ facility does not result in any increase in the level of risk to the
public. Moreover, all nbn™ network equipment has the following features, all of
which help to minimise the amounts of energy used and emitted:
    •    Dynamic/Adaptive Power Control is a network feature that automatically
         adjusts the power and hence minimises EME from the facility.
    •    Varying the facilities transmit power to the minimal required level,
         minimising EME from the network, and
    •    Discontinuous transmission, a feature that reduces EME emissions by
         automatically switching the transmitter off when no data is being sent.
The ACMA has additionally conducted an extensive audit of the fixed wireless
network, and concludes that:
         “NBN has a high level of compliance with the EME licence conditions, has a clear understanding
         about EME compliance obligations and associated record-keeping requirements, has processes in
         place to ensure that compliance assessments accurately reflect current environmental and site
         conditions, is appropriately addressing the underlying risk of EME exposure from its base stations,
         is highly cooperative and willing to work with the ACMA in relation to all aspects of its EME
         compliance.”9


7.12.2 Currency of Radiofrequency Safety Standard

Australia has adopted the safety standard recommended by the World Health
Organisation (WHO). The WHO advises:

          “From all evidence accumulated so far, no adverse short- or long-term health effects have been
         shown to occur from the RF signals produced by base stations. Since wireless networks produce
         generally lower RF signals than base stations, no adverse health effects are expected from exposure


8
  https://www.arpansa.gov.au/research/surveys/environmental-electromagnetic-energy-reports/prediction-methodology
9
  www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Suppliers/Product-supply-and-compliance/Priority-compliance-areas/eme-and-the-national-
broadband-network

                                                                                                                     65