Close to 200 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a cell tower in central Lake Hāwea.

OneNZ and FortySouth have submitted a resource consent application for a 12.5m cell tower on the corner of Rosella Lane and Noema Terrace, near the township’s fire station.

FortySouth says it will provide “much needed coverage improvements” as well as more capacity to meet growing demand for mobile services in Lake Hāwea. 

Despite the limited coverage in the Hāwea area, 166 people have signed the online petition, which asks for a different site for the cell tower. 

Petitioner Darlene Thomspon referenced visual pollution and claimed the tower could pose health risks. 

She asked for the cell tower to be placed in a different location.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillor and Hāwea resident Cody Tucker told the Wānaka App the cell tower proposal was being seen as a double-edged sword.

“Observations from the community sentiment is that people are happy that there is going to be much needed infrastructure investment locally to help improve coverage but are unhappy with the location due to the proximity of neighbouring properties,” he said.

The proposed location was selected after a range of sites were assessed, FortySouth said.

The preferred site on Rosella Lane and Noema Terrace will enable coverage to the south of town where the land falls away.

New technology means cell infrastructure needs to be closer to users and in Lake Hawea’s case, the existing cell site coverage is also reaching its capacity.

QLDC is currently considering One NZ and Forty South’s resource consent application.

The petition can be viewed here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App