Here we go again – residents in Pirongia meet to discuss the proposed site of the new cell tower. Photo: Nick Empson
Pirongia residents have been told there is little chance they will succeed in their latest efforts to prevent a 5G cell phone tower rising in the village.
About 40 residents met in the town’s community centre last Thursday after a shock announcement from mobile tower infrastructure company Connexa that the tower would be built next month behind the Waitomo Service Station.
The company appeared unaware that strong opposition led to that site being put on hold pending other site checks when it was proposed in 2019 – and that Spark had indicated it would keep the town’s community association updated.
Waipā councillor Clare St Pierre, who attended the meeting, told The News last week she had been made aware of the decision to go back to the original site before Christmas.
But it was only last week that a letter box drop – and a story in The News – updated residents.
Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board member Sally Whitaker also attended the meeting.
Here we go again – Peter speaks to residents in Pirongia discussing the proposed site of the new cell tower. Photo: Nick Empson
Pirongia Community Association chair Ruth Webb said the meeting was almost completely opposed to the site – most saw the importance of improving the network service in the community, but concerns remained over health and safety issues as the site is close to houses and a school.
Some at the meeting supported having the tower, others were completely opposed because they were feared 5G presented risks to health.
Ruth Webb said the meeting looked at two issues – whether or not a change in zoning for the site from residential to commercial had been carried out appropriately by Waipā District Councill and whether or not there was a way an alternative option could be put back into the frame.
The council does not have the authority to prevent towers being built if they meet district plan rules and National Environmental Standards.
In its statement, Connexa said it had ruled out 14 other sites, and would have the tower erected by the end of next month.
In a statement last week Connexa chief Rob Berrill said the use of mobile services had grown 30 per cent every year since 2019 and the existing site was under significant strain.
More than 2000 people signed a petition opposing the site on corner of Beechey St and McClure St when it was initially proposed.
As they did then, residents have sought help from their MP Barbara Kuriger. Last week’s meeting ended without a figurehead to lead the charge.
Some at the meeting had still not received notification from the company through their mailbox.
Webb said she was concerned that the 5G technology was still new and had not been thoroughly investigated. She referred to the use of thalidomide, a drug which stunted the growth of foetal limbs in the 1950s and 1960s as an example of the consequences of not carrying out thorough investigations.
Of the renewed battle to have the site moved somewhere else, she told The News “residents have not given up”.
Cr Clare St Pierre, front right, and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board member Sally Whitaker, front fourth left, listen as Pirongia residents hear about the cellphone tower. Photo: Nick Empson.
