Church Puts Cash Over Kids With School Cell Phone Tower

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley is joining with local residents in condemning the renewal of a six year contract for a cell phone tower in an Island Bay primary school.

"St Frances de Sales Church and Telecom have ignored parents' concerns for their children's safety and appear to have put money ahead of children's health and community concerns," Ms Kedgley said.

The cell phone tower contract is worth $5,000 per year to the Church and will be renewed on October 31 this year.

Local residents have vowed to continue to campaign against the Church and Telecom over the tower placement. In 1996 the Ministry of Health ruled that cell phone transmitters cannot be sited in Crown-owned schools.

Ms Kedgley said this rule should apply to all schools, including private schools.

"The government needs to amend the regulations so that the same level of protection is accorded children of independent schools," Ms Kedgley said.

"At the same time Telecom and St Francis de Sales Church should listen to local residents rather than simply ignoring their concerns," she said.

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