Authorities have launched an investigation into the suspected toppling of a 4G Optus mobile phone tower at Mullumbimby, in northern New South Wales.
The incident has raised concerns as NSW Police have said the initial evidence suggests the tower was cut down with power tools.
The tower was discovered felled to the ground and has severely damaged a nearby fence.
Tweed-Byron Police District Inspector Matt Woods said the structure had been compromised by power tools and called the act “totally reckless”.
“The bolts had been removed by a ratchet gun or something similar,” Inspector Woods told the ABC.
“And as a result of that, it appears a weather event has come through and toppled the tower over, totally destroying it.”
“It’s more than vandalism, it’s a totally reckless and dangerous act to take out towers.”
The sudden collapse has left some residents without reliable access to mobile networks.
In response to the incident, telecommunications provider Optus has begun working to assess and restore connectivity in the affected areas.
Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist with their investigation.
Several people online have heavily criticised the vandalism and one said: “Whoever has done this needs the proverbial book thrown at them. They should go to jail”.
“Cookers gonna cook,” wrote one user who cited the fact the incident has marked the second mobile tower cut down in two years.
Mobile phone towers have long been the targets of protest movements which claim 5G technology is used as part of a conspiracy theory.
Believers of the conspiracy have said the COVID-19 vaccine was used to place microchips into the population and 5G towers have been used to control the microchips.
The movement has also claimed radio waves emitted by the towers: spread COVID-19, cause radiation or health problems and map the inside of bodies.
Other bizarre theories include the use of towers for public surveillance or as a weapons system.
The Australia’s Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has declared the technology safe.
“It is the assessment of ARPANSA that there is no substantiated scientific evidence to support any adverse health effects from low-level exposure to RF EME associated with telecommunications and wireless technology below the limits set within the ARPANSA RF Standard, including the 5G network.”