Lack of ban dismays cell site campaigners

Nelson's anti-cellphone tower campaign group is disappointed a parliamentary select committee report does not make a specific recommendation to ban cellphone towers from next to schools and playcentres.

However, the Ban the Tower group is grateful the committee has looked into the issue and hopes the Government will adopt the committee's report, which lists four recommendations.

The report into electromagnetic radiation, penned by the local government and environment select committee, recommends the Government review the membership of a government committee which assesses health effects of non-ionising fields.

The select committee inquiry was initiated last year in response to a 3101-signature petition from Nelson resident Sarah Allen opposing a proposed 22-metre Telecom cellphone tower next door to Atawhai Playcentre.

The committee also took two other similar petitions into consideration during its inquiry.

Ms Allen said she was "slightly disappointed" the committee did not specifically recommend that cellphone towers not be erected next to schools and playcentres.

She said the report was not entirely accurate either in saying that issues over a Telecom tower being erected next to Atawhai Playcentre had been resolved. The issue was not a closed book, and Telecom was still proposing to put the tower next to the playcentre if it could not find an alternative site, Ms Allen said.

The 15-page report says three petitions outline concerns over the effects of cell towers on human health.

"We believe that the Atawhai case exemplifies the problematic issues that can arise when telecommunication companies attempt activities that affect local communities, the challenges of appropriate engagement with affected communities, and general concerns about safety."

Ban the Tower group spokeswoman Sue Grey said she was delighted with the report. "This report is an amazing example of what can be achieved by communities when they work together, even if you are up against the biggest corporates. It is excellent news that the select committee has listened to our concerns."

The committee asks the Government to consider how regulation might be improved so "development of infrastructure can proceed in a way that safeguards community interests".

It also suggests the Government looks at reviewing standards for radio frequency fields.

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Amanda   #1   11:26 am Nov 27 2009

In many European countries living right next to a phone tower is seen as more dangerous than living next to a Nuclear Power station. I personally believe that with time and education the same view will be the case here.

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