Ref: (2223-3036)

 

Kia ora George Henry

 

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 29 June 2023 requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:

 

This is Regarding Smart street lights. And associated smart systems in
South Invercargill.

 

1. I am requesting  you please provide documentation and information
regarding the installation and operation of smart street lights equipped
with 5G technology.

2. What research or safety assessments have been conducted to evaluate the
potential eye health risks associated with the bright spectrum emitted by
these smart street lights? Are there any specific regulations or
guidelines in place to mitigate these risks?

3. How was the decision made to install the smart street lights and their
associated 5G capabilities? Were there any public consultations or safety
assessments conducted beforehand? If yes, please provide relevant details
and outcomes, In my experience there has not been.

4. Are these smart street lights equipped with surveillance equipment,
such as cameras or the Das system? If so, please provide information about
the purpose, extent, and legal framework governing the use of such
surveillance equipment.

5. What measures have been taken to ensure the privacy and security of
individuals living in the vicinity of these smart street lights? Are there
any safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized access or misuse of
collected data?

6. Has any independent assessment been conducted to determine the
compliance of these smart street lights and 5G technology with existing
regulations, privacy laws, and any relevant health and safety guidelines?

7. Are there plans for additional installations of smart street lights in
the area? If so, how will community concerns be addressed, and what steps
will be taken to ensure transparency and public participation in the
decision-making process?

 

This email is to advise you that your request has been transferred to
Invercargill City Council on 30 June 2023 and is being processed in
accordance with the Official Information Act 1982.

 

This is because the information you have requested is not held by the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.  Section 14(b)(i) of the
Official Information Act allows me to transfer any request where the
information is not held, but is believed to be held by another department,
organisation or Minister of the Crown.

 

I trust you find the information helpful.  You have the right to seek an
investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

 

If you require any further assistance or have any enquiries regarding your
request feel free to contact us via email [MBIE request email] or using the
contact details below.

 

Nāku noa, nā

 

Ministerial Services

 

Ngā Pou o te Taumaru

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

 

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

Dear Mr Henry
I refer to your official information request dated 29 June 2023.
 
I have been asked to reply to your request. These are highlight below
aligned to your questions.
 
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
 
Regards
 
Russell Pearson
 
 
Your questions and reply.
 

 1. I am requesting  you please provide documentation and information
regarding the installation and operation of smart street lights
equipped with 5G technology.  Invercargill streetlights are not 5G
controlled streetlights. Our lights are controlled by a specific
circuit( ripple control)  from Powernet.  We do not have a meshnet or
other management system operating on our lights other than the lights
in Esk and Don which are controlled by Wi-Fi so that the colour output
can be controlled.

 
2. What research or safety assessments have been conducted to evaluate the
potential eye health risks associated with the bright spectrum emitted by
these smart street lights? Are there any specific regulations or
guidelines in place to mitigate these risks? See 1. above and therefore
not applicable
 
3. How was the decision made to install the smart street lights and their
associated 5G capabilities? Were there any public consultations or safety
assessments conducted beforehand? If yes, please provide relevant details
and outcomes, In my experience there has not been. See 1. above and
therefore not applicable
 
4. Are these smart street lights equipped with surveillance equipment,
such as cameras or the Das system? If so, please provide information about
the purpose, extent, and legal framework governing the use of such
surveillance equipment.  Again See 1. above and therefore not applicable
 
5. What measures have been taken to ensure the privacy and security of
individuals living in the vicinity of these smart street lights? Are there
any safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized access or misuse of
collected data? Again See 1. above and therefore not applicable
 
6. Has any independent assessment been conducted to determine the
compliance of these smart street lights and 5G technology with existing
regulations, privacy laws, and any relevant health and safety guidelines?
Again See 1. Above.  The control of lights meets the electrical wiring
regulations.
 
7. Are there plans for additional installations of smart street lights in
the area? If so, how will community concerns be addressed, and what steps
will be taken to ensure transparency and public participation in the
decision-making process? Not at this time. The streetlight technology
continues to advance and Council will monitor this.
 
Yours faithfully,
George Henry
 
 
 
Russell Pearson
Manager – Strategic Asset Planning
Invercargill City Council
[email address]
P: 032111777 D: 032111645 M: 0274357493
101 Esk Street, Invercargill, 9810 Private Bag 90104
 
 

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