Cooran_Information Request Response_Final

    5. The proposed facility is considered to meet the Desired Environmental Outcomes of the
       Noosa Plan as the installation of the proposed facility will result in the introduction of the
       National Broadband Network into the rural outskirts of Cooran. This will ultimately facilitate
       opportunities for economic, commercial and tourism growth. In addition, the provision of
       reliable broadband services will have a significant impact on the availability of good quality
       communications for day-to-day life, in times of emergency and the general public safety of
       residents. This is particularly important in rural based localities.
    6. Finally, this location best balances the planning outcomes desired by the Noosa Council and
       the Queensland planning laws with the service provision NBN Co is trying to deliver to the
       rural residential areas of Cooran.


Visual Amenity
The Specific Outcome O39 of the Infrastructure Uses Code requires the proposed monopole is
visually integrated with its landscape so as not to be visually dominant or obtrusive.

1. Please provide a photomontage of the proposed monopole. The montage shall
   superimpose the proposed pole’s height and bulk onto images taken from Schreibers Rd
   (in front of the property entrance), and the intersection of Sankeys Rd and Brushbox Lane
   looking towards the monopole.

Response

Two photomontages have been prepared (refer to Attachment A) to illustrate how the proposed
facility will appear when viewed from the following locations:
     • Photomontage 1: (view looking south east towards the proposed facility from 249 Schreibers
          Road near the property entrance - approximately 830 m separation distance)
     • Photomontage 2: (view looking north west towards proposed facility from intersection of
          Sankeys Road and Brushbox Lane – approximately 930 m separation distance)

Photomontage 1 illustrates a view looking south east towards the proposed facility from the site’s
frontage along Schreibers Road. This view demonstrates a similar view from nearby dwellings and
motorists travelling along Schreibers Road. As illustrated in Photomontage 1, when viewed from
Schreibers Road, the proposed facility will not detract from the character of the area as it will be
viewed in the context of the existing vertical structures such as the HV power stanchions, one of which
is located directly adjacent to Schreibers Road.

In addition, the proposed facility will be set back more than 440 m from the nearest homes located
along Schreibers Road and Sankeys Road, mitigating the likely appearance of the facility. These
setbacks, in conjunction with the nearby vegetation (approximately 20-25 m in height) and existence of
nearby HV Power Stanchions, will further mitigate visually obtrusive views towards the facility from the
closest dwellings.

Photomontage 2 illustrates a view looking north-west from the intersection of Sankeys Road and
Brushbox Lane. This view illustrates the already modified hilltop and existing HV Power Stanchion, in
conjunction with the considerable separation distance of over 900 m, which will minimise any potential
visual obtrusiveness of the facility when viewed from this location. It is noted that most dwellings
located south and east of the proposed facility, and along Sankeys Road, are also surrounded by
dense vegetation, and any views towards the facility would be intermittent at best.

It is therefore considered that the proposed facility meets Specific Outcome O39 of the Infrastructure
Uses Code, whereby the proposed facility is considered to successfully visually integrate with the
surrounding landscape. As further mitigation, it is our recommendation that the monopole be painted
‘pale eucalypt’ in order to blend with the mature vegetation on site and existing power poles. This is
requested to be conditioned by Council.