Atawhai

by Julia Proverbs | 19th February 2010

Photo: John Borren. Roly Hammond says a cellphone tower
was "sneakily" erected in his street.

Residents in one of Matua's poshest streets are outraged after a 20m-high cellphone tower was erected right under their noses without warning.

They say property values will plummet and are worried about the possible effects of radiation.

Roly Hammond, whose sweeping harbour view has been obstructed by the tower, behind the Matua community shops, said he knew nothing about the "colossal" structure until two cranes pulled into the street early Wednesday morning.

"It was done in one day and no one was consulted ... we had no chance at all to object," Mr Hammond said.

"I have had a number of irate callers. They are all very, very agitated. Some of the older ones are very concerned about radiation. It is in the best part of Matua. It's not on. It shouldn't happen in a subdivision like Matua or for that matter in any other suburb."

Mr Hammond said the value of his $500,000 property had dropped "thousands" overnight.

John Buckley, who lives directly opposite the tower, said he and his wife would never have bought their property if they knew it was going to look on to a cellphone tower.

Read the full story in the Bay of Plenty Times