Cell tower CEO invited to explain ?big stick?
By Tim O?Connell
The technological boom in Hutt is set to continue with a resource consent application from NZ Communications to build a 15-metre cell phone tower in Maungaraki. The proposed site is in Honeysuckle Grove, north of the water tower - already home to the council-owned Smartlinx?s wireless equipment. But Maungaraki?s Colin Williams, who lives about 140 metres away, thinks the cell tower will destroy the ambiance of the area and is determined to make sure his voice is heard. With two panel antennas, four microwave dishes and a lightning rod attached, the proposed mast will extend to almost twice the height of the water tower. ?Essentially, it?s a big stick,? he said. Mr Williams is also wary of the threat of noise in the neighbourhood, which is currently limited to ?the odd lawnmower and a couple of tuis.? ?I'd be surprised if the CEO of NZ Communications would tolerate such an installation in his immediate neighbourhood.? ?To that end, I invite him to visit for a coffee...to take in the ambiance and discuss why he thinks I should tolerate one in mine.? Should NZ Communications? application be successful, Mr Williams believes more equipment will be added in the future. Until now, residents of the hillside suburb have had to rely on getting their cellphone reception from the Mount Crowther tower in Wainuiomata or other sites around Hutt. Mr Williams believes the new mast will boost reception but a less intrusive solution would be to build it further up the hill, where telecommunications equipment is already in place. The application has indicated radiation emitted would be low but Mr Williams is still worried by the mast?s closeness to residents. For now, Mr Williams? focus is on gathering support for his cause, with an eye to seeking possible legal advice on the resource consent process. NZ Communications is aiming to set up a third mobile network in New Zealand. ?Submissions on the consent application close 5pm, October 7.
