2020-02-11 P&E Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 2 - MCU18-0166 - Visual Impact Assessment

1. Introduction                                      2.2.    Assessment of representative
                                                             viewpoints
The purpose of this study is to provide a visual
impact assessment of the proposed National           The assessment of visual impact would be
Broadband Network (NBN) monopole site (no.           undertaken in the following steps:
4POM-51-45-CRNA) at 244 Tablelands Road,                 •   Identify the sensitivity of the viewer
Cooran.                                                      (Refer table 2.1)
The proposal site is located approximately two
                                                         •   Identify the level of modification
kilometres northeast of the rural town of
                                                             created by the project (Refer table 2.2)
Cooran in the Noosa region.
                                                         •   Combine these characteristics to assign
                                                             a level of likely visual impact (Refer
2. Methodology                                               table 2.3)
The following assessment considers the                   •   Identify opportunities for mitigation to
potential visual influence of the proposal on the            reduce the impact where possible.
surrounding landscape and an assessment of
views from these locations.                          Sensitivity refers to the susceptibility of a view
                                                     to accommodate change without losing valued
2.1.    Zone of visual influence                     attributes. The valued attributes of a view refers
                                                     to any aspect of landscape or views people
This assessment begins with the identification of    consider to be important. Visual values may be
a Zone of visual influence (ZVI). ZVI mapping has    reflected in local, state or federal planning
been used to establish the theoretical area from     regulations, other published documents or be
which the project could be visible. This             established through community consultation
theoretical extent is based on the centre point      and engagement, or as professionally assessed.
of the proposed monopole and maps the area           (refer table 2.1)
visible from the maximum height of the pole.
The analysis uses a digital terrain model to         The level of modification refers to the extent of
identify the areas from which views to this point    change that will be experienced by receptors.
may be possible.                                     This change can be adverse or beneficial.
This model uses data to a 1 metre accuracy and       Factors that could be considered in assessing
does not include the filtering effect of trees and   magnitude are: the proportion of the view
buildings. It therefore shows a much broader         affected; extent of the area over which the
potential visual catchment for the project. This     change occurs; the size and scale of the change;
area was used as the basis for fieldwork to          the level of contrast and compatibility.
identify views to the site.




IRIS Visual Planning + Design                                                                 Page 3