Cooran_Information Request Response_Final

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18 May 2015


Attn: Jack Lewis
Noosa Council
PO Box 141
TEWANTIN, QLD, 4565



Application Number: MCU15/0034


Response to Information Request for MCU15/0034 - Material Change of Use (Impact
Assessable) for a ‘Service & Utility Type 3 Tower’ located at 249 Schreibers Road, Cooran QLD
4569 (Lot 12 on RP883248)

I refer to your request for further information on 30 April 2015, in accordance with section 276 of the
Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009, in relation to the proposed fixed wireless facility at 249
Schreibers Road, Cooran QLD 4569 (Lot 12 on RP883248).

In accordance with section 278(1)(a) of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009, the following
response to the requested information is provided below:

Reasons for Approval Despite the Conflict with the Scheme
Section 326(1)(b) of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 seeks the assessment manager’s
decision must not conflict with the Planning Scheme, unless there are sufficient grounds to
justify the decision, despite the conflict. The Service & Utility Type 3 use is identified as an
inconsistent use on the proposed site.

1. Please provide at least three succinct reasons for approval of the proposed development,
   despite this conflict with The Noosa Plan.

Response

NBN recognises that telecommunications is not specified as a consistent use within the ‘Rural Zone’ of
the Noosa Plan, however NBN considers that Council should approve the proposed development for
the following reasons:

     1. In accordance with Council’s advice, NBN has in good faith investigated the feasibility of
        alternative sites adjacent to the HV towers off Schreibers Rd to service rural Cooran and has
        withdrawn the original Development Application (Coles Creek Road, Cooran – DA
        MCU13/0051).
     2. NBN has demonstrated a record of real cooperation and flexibility with both Council and
        residents in Noosa Shire, and this approach is evident at Cooran, where alternative sites have
        been investigated in response to community feedback and Council’s advice, and NBN has
        now proposed an alternative site as per Council’s own request. This alternative location
        significantly reduces the overall visual impact of the proposal and therefore constitutes a more
        favourable development outcome for the entire community and ensures compliance with the
        Desired Environmental Outcomes of the Noosa Plan.
     3. The proposed facility is considered to be appropriately sited to minimise visual impact and is
        not inconsistent with the current land uses of the area, where existing high voltage stanchions
        are located within the nearby Powerlink easement.
     4. The proposed facility is offset from the community as much as possible (where only two
        residential dwellings are located within a 500 m radius of the facility). These setbacks, in
        conjunction with the mature vegetation and rolling topography that surrounds the proposed
        facility, will further reduce its visual impact on the natural landscape of the locality.