AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

15 August 2007

Council tells government to think again on telecommunication equipment standards

Auckland City Council is challenging proposed government standards for the installation of telecommunication equipment on road reserves claiming they would have significant adverse effect on the local environment.

A Works and Services Committee submission on national environmental standards for telecommunication facilities opposes new provisions granting permitted activity status for radio frequency emissions higher than the council’s by-laws, large telecommunication cabinets in the road reserve, noise from the cabinets and provisions for masts and antennae.

“The proposed standards take away the council’s discretion to assess each application on a case-by-case basis and takes away council’s ability to propose design standards that could mitigate visual effects of telecommunication equipment cabinets,” said committee chairperson, Councillor Neil Abel.

“The provisions in relation to masts, antennae, and equipment cabinets come at a cost to the community in amenity values.”

The submission offers advice on how the intrusiveness of cabinets can be mitigated through good design, screening and landscaping. It adds that even at a height of 1.5m (which is less than the proposed 2m standard), if a cabinet of that size was to be located on or near the frontage of a house it would severely affect the visual amenity for the residents.

The submission expresses particular concern for heritage and character areas if the new provisions are approved.

The council’s full submission is available at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz

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