Switzerland: Collective objection with over 300 signatures: This senior citizen is fighting against the planned 5G antenna

Collective objection with over 300 signatures: This senior citizen is fighting against the planned 5G antenna 
by Soraya Sägesser, aargauerzeitung.ch, 15 Nov. 2024 - auto-translation

Karl Bernet

Swisscom is planning to build a 5G antenna on Schulstrasse in Sins. The planning application was open to the public until November 12. Four objections and one collective objection have now been received. Here's what happens next.

Anyone living within 703.79 meters of the antenna is entitled to lodge an objection. Bernet requested a map from the municipality so that he could mark all properties, i.e. residents entitled to object. He recently told the Anzeiger Oberfreiamt newspaper. He himself lives in the Bachtalmühle and therefore only 150 meters away from the planned antenna.

He was out and about every day with the map and signature forms and spoke to the people concerned. “Some of these people didn't even know that a 5G antenna was being planned,” Bernet told the ‘Anzeiger Oberfreiamt’ newspaper. He noticed that there was a great willingness to sign.

The figures also show this: He was able to collect over 300 signatures in a very short space of time. The municipality had expected this: “We already knew that many people would take part,” Ulrich told AZ.

Sleep disturbance or tinnitus due to antenna

Bernet's opposition to the construction of a 5G antenna has nothing to do with an obstructed view. He is primarily concerned about health, as he told the “Anzeiger Oberfreiamt” newspaper: “There is too little research on 5G technology. We don't know exactly what effects this radiation has on people and the environment.”

He has read in a number of publications about health complaints that occur in people in the vicinity of 5G antennas. He mentions sleep disorders, headaches, tinnitus and concentration problems, for example.

Bernet also believes that the 5G network is unnecessary and does not want this technology to become more widespread. “In my view, 5G only serves to accelerate data and is therefore not essential,” says the 80-year-old.

Five objections to the project received

The objection period for the construction project on Schulstrasse expired on November 12. The municipality of Sins has received five objections to the project, according to Uschi Ulrich. The municipality must now check the legal basis of all objections. Copies will also be forwarded to the client, i.e. Swisscom. Swisscom then has 20 days to respond.

“In the meantime, we will examine the various objections and consider the concerns of the public,” says Ulrich. The objectors will receive a copy of the statement and then there will be an objection hearing that is not open to the public. However, this will not take place until the new year.

The fact that Swisscom's planned 5G antenna is causing a stir is not surprising. A look at the site in mid-October showed that several people were pulling out their phones and taking photos of the construction profile. It is planned to start work on the 81,000 Swiss franc project next spring.

(Link to oritinal article available only to subscribers.)