GREATER Dandenong councillor Peter Brown has foreshadowed a bid for the council to refuse the installation of smart meters on council-owned property.
Cr Brown said the council could “lead by example” by resolving to refuse smart meters on its premises due to “evidence” of unhealthy radiation levels.
He said the council could argue smart meters were a breach of occupational health and safety requirements.
The council could also consider supporting residents who refuse smart meter installations, Cr Brown said.
The council is working on a report to investigate legal costs for a class action against the smart meter roll out.
The class action was rejected by a majority of member councils of the Municipal Association of Victoria.
Lisa Drought, corporate affairs general manager of electrical supplier United Energy, said smart meters had been found by a state government review to be safe and were being safely installed.
“The data is in with regard to these concerns,” she said.
“I’m concerned by fearmonging in the community and whether these questions and propositions are based on fact.”
She cited an Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency finding that smart meters emitted less radiation than baby monitors, microwave ovens and mobile phones.
An Energy Safe Victoria report in July found no evidence that smart meters were exploding or catching fire.
“When smart meters fail, they fail safely and potentially reduce the risk of personal damage and injury,” the report stated.
