Residents oppose new cell towers

Disgruntled Hastings residents say they should have been consulted about a 25-metre cellphone tower soon to be erected in their neighbourhood.

Bill and Elsie Borsboom live on Glenhope St in Mahora, and will soon be just metres from the large 2degrees cellphone "monopole" to be built on an industrial property at 500 Williams St.

The couple received a letter from the telecommunication company informing them of the build, but said they should have been given an opportunity to oppose the construction.

"It's been approved by the council," Mr Borsboom said. "What I'm annoyed about is the council didn't see fit to let us know what is going on. This thing will tower over us. We just should have had the chance to examine it before the council gave approval, but this just says it will be built in 10 days."

Hastings District Council communications manager Paul Evans said from a legal perspective there was nothing the council could do, as cellphone towers were governed by a national law that guided local policy, and unless the law was breached, the council was not involved.

"It is a permitted activity through both the National Environmental Standard and the District Plan," he said. "The council has no legal basis under which to consult [the public] on such matters."

The council was often unaware new poles were even being built.

2degrees Communications manager Michael Bouliane said residents had been given information and contact details to raise any concerns with the company.

The closest neighbours were given a letter explaining the company's plans and contact details. The tower was one of 28 planned to give customers better access to the expanding network.

The owner of the Mahora site, G&C; Properties, would not comment.

The contention over Mahora's tower is similar to that felt by Taradale retailers, who last month rallied the support of Napier City Councillors to fight a monopole in their shopping area.

They said the appearance of the 20m pole would detract from the shopping centre's recent $3.5 million upgrade.