Clare Faye and residents from Waimapu St are protesting against a proposed 5G cell site. Photo / David Hall
Clare Faye and residents from Waimapu St are protesting against a proposed 5G cell site. Photo / David Hall
Waimapu St residents are upset about a proposed 5G tower metres from their homes.
They say they received little communication from Connexa, with only eight people getting a notice.
Residents want the tower relocated to a nearby industrial area, citing health and safety concerns.
A proposed 5G tower metres from a retired couple’s house has angered Waimapu St residents in Greerton.
They say they received little communication about its installation.
The street first received official notice from Connexa, the company responsible for building the tower, on March 12, with the letter dated March 4, resident Mike Coxon said.
“What is the impact of these towers being so close to people’s homes?”
Hayes and the residents were not opposed to 5G and tower installation but “just want the tower to go somewhere else”.
They don’t want the tower relocated to another unsuspecting street but somewhere like the nearby Greerton industrial area along SH29 and Oropi Rd.
Residents want the tower relocated to a nearby industrial area, citing health and safety concerns.
The tower would be on a blind corner if it were to be installed at its current location and would be at the end of a span of road containing multiple driveways, she said.
Member of Parliament for Tauranga Sam Uffindell said he had received correspondence from concerned residents about the tower’s placement in Greerton.
“I can understand their concerns – very few people want a large tower outside their home.”
The cell site on Waimapu St will replace a streetlight in the road reserve designated for infrastructure such as power, water, sewerage, fibre cables, and cell sites, Connexa’s planning and engagement lead, Fiona Matthews, said in an email.
“It [the location] meets the planning rules, and it is within the search ring to provide the necessary capacity and coverage for the community.”
Alternative sites were considered but found unsuitable.
Matthews said the intersection of Fraser St, Chadwick St, and Oropi Rd, along with Pemberton Park, was investigated as alternative locations.
“The location at Waimapu St was able to meet all of the criteria.”
She said the company wrote to properties within a 50m radius of the cell site.
“Connexa wrote to 25 property addresses. We have received inquiries from four properties.”
Thousands of cell sites are in road reserves outside residential properties throughout the country, alongside power lines, streetlights, bus shelters and other critical infrastructure, Matthews said.
The cell site equipment could not be hidden like power or fibre optic cables, so Connexa attempted to minimise visual impacts when possible, Matthews said.
Cell towers in New Zealand followed strict safety standards set by the Ministry of Health, typically operating well below the exposure limit, according to Matthews.
She said the radio waves used for mobile services are based on technology in use for over 100 years.
“Low emissions involve Wi-Fi, AM and FM radio, television broadcasting, cordless phones, radio-controlled toys and baby monitors.”
The Resource Management Act covers the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunications Facilities, which allows the use of the road reserve for mobile network infrastructure.
Each district council plan sets the rules governing the height and position of mobile infrastructure, Matthews said.
“The Tauranga District Plan permits poles up to 26m in height for cell sites.”
Matthew said that the pole and cabinets are positioned 1500mm from the kerb and that the council must assess the site location for road safety.
“Council provided no special conditions to Connexa within the relevant statutory timeframe.”
General manager regulatory and compliance at Tauranga City Council Sarah Omundsen said in an email that Connexa is solely responsible for where the towers are to be sited.
Clare Faye, and residents from Waimapu Street protest are protesting a proposed 5G cell site. Photo / David Hall
“Telcos decide on the most appropriate sites for infrastructure to be placed.”
The national standards allowed equipment such as cabinets and antennas to be located at the roadside, although they limit the number and size permitted, Omundsen said.
Resource consent for a tower may be required, for example, where the proposed infrastructure does not meet national standards, she said.
“However, in those instances, the council has limited ability to decline or require changes to the proposal.”
