25 Nov 2009

Ban on cellphone towers near schools rejected

6:14 am on 25 November 2009

A Parliamentary select committee has rejected a petition launched by a Nelson woman which urged a ban on building cellphone towers near schools.

Sarah Allen organised the petition in response to Telecom plans to build a cellphone tower in Atawhai Street in Nelson, close to two pre-schools.

While the Local Government and Environment Select committee rejected the petition, it recommended the Government consider reviewing the national standard for the electro-magnetic radiation emitted by mobile technology.

Committee chair Chris Auchinvole says a ban on towers within one kilometre of schools would not be commercially feasible but acknowledged there remains some uncertainty about appropriate safety limits and restrictions.

Ms Allen says a cautious approach is needed on cellphone technology until it is proven to be safe, and is disappointed by the committee's stance.

"Countries like France are removing towers from near schools, and they're removing wi-fi from libraries ... so they're taking a more precautionary approach, which I think is something that New Zealand should be doing.

Green MP Sue Kedgley says the committee's recommendations fall short of international efforts to restrict children's exposure to radiation from cellphones and cellsites.