‘Mourners’ ring death knell over phone tower

RESIDENTS will stage a mock funeral to “mourn the death” of Henley Beach’s heritage after they lost their fight to prevent a phone tower from being built.

Up to 100 residents will dress in top hats and ring a mourner’s bell to lament what they describe as the loss of Henley Beach’s history.

Earlier this month, Telstra erected a 35m phone tower on East Tce.

It went ahead after residents lost their appeal to stop the tower – which they argued would be a blight on the heritage street – in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.

Now, Grange artist Andrew Baines has organised a funeral to “bury our history with a bit of respect” at 9.45am this Sunday, June 24.

Mr Baines said he expected up to 100 locals to join a procession from the Fulham Uniting Church on Military Rd to the tower, which has been constructed on the site of a Telstra-owned building at 73 East Tce.

He said mourners would ring a large bell as they marched towards the phone tower.

A celebrant would give a eulogy and a singer would perform Barbra Streisand’s

The Way We Were.

Mr Baines has requested all “mourners” come dressed in black with a top hat optional.

“It (the tower) is a symbol of big business screwing the little person again,” Mr Baines said.

“We’ve accepted our defeat so let’s bury our history with a bit of respect.

“It’s more of a theatrical event because it’s done and dusted and there’s nothing we can do about it so we may as well have a little bit of fun.”

Telstra successfully overturned Charles Sturt Council’s original decision last year to reject its application to build the tower.