Development Application part 2 of 2 , Planning report/Plans MCU12/0036

                                         Planning Report


Noosa Planning Scheme Policy 23

    Specific outcomes                                             Compliance
_
    Low Impact Facilities

    a) The Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities)             Not Appl icable
    Determination 1997 defines low impact facilities that
                                                                  The proposed development does not represent a low-
    remain under the control of the Commonwealth
                                                                  impact facility.
    Government. Facilities that are not specified in the
    Determination cannot be considered low impact facilities
    and may be regulated by the Noosa Plan. A copy of the
    Determination is available from the Australian
    Government Department of Communications, Information
    Technology and the Arts. (Checktheir website at:
    http://www.dcita.gov.au/).

    b) In some cases additional equipment added to existing
    facilities may be determined to be a minor change. Where
    there is an existing approval in place, such minor
    changes may only require a change to the development
    approval. An application process is involved, however
    there is no public notification period, refer to Section
    3.5.241 and 3.5.332 of the Integrated Planning Act.


    c) The Telecommunication industry is encouraged to
    comply with Low Impact Mobile Facilities: Guidelines for
    Better Visual Outcomes 2001 published by the Mobile
    Carriers Forum.
    Site location for telecommunication towers that are not low impact
    2.1 Proposals for towers over premises that are in the
                                                                  Complies
    Community Services, Industry or Business Centre Zones         The proposed site at the existing Telstra Exchange is
    and comply with the Infrastructure Uses Code are
                                                                  located in the Community Services zone.
    generally consistent with The Noosa Plan.

    2.2 Applications on sites containing environmentally          Complies
    sensitive areas, such as native habitat, steep slopes or      The proposed development is not located on a site
    ridgelines are unlikely to be supported, if those areas are   containing environmentally sensitive areas, steep slopes
    likely to be adversely impacted upon by the proposed          or ridgelines.

    development.
    Matters for consideration

    3.1 In addition to matters identified in The Noosa Plan,      Noted.
    Council may when assessing proposals
    for telecommunication towers have regard to other
    considerations.


    3.2 Council is unlikely to support proposals that would       Complies
    result in the following-                                      The proposed development will not result in the loss of
    a) Loss of vegetation on steep slopes or ridgelines; or       vegetation, degradation of views from the major roads or
    b) Visual scaring or the degradation of views or vistas       impact on waterways. The site is strategically located at
    from the major road network; or                               the rear of the existing Telstra exchange
                                                                                                          -
                                                                                                              removed from
    c) Loss of distinct character associated with the various     the main commercial strip to preserve the character of the
    towns, villages or rural areas of                             township.
    the Shire; or
    d)Alteration to key landform and landscape characters
    such that they become dominated by the facility; or
    e) Impact on views to and from waterways, beaches and
    riparian zones.

    3.3 There is still much debate regarding the potential
                                                                  Complies
    health risks associated with electromagnetic radiation.
                                                                  An EME report is included in Appendix 3.
    Carriers need to provide evidence that necessary
    measures have been taken to ensure public health and

    safety will not be adversely affected. In the absence of
    such evidence, Council is likely to adopt the
    precautionary principle and may refuse the application.

    3.4 Wherever practical towers should   -