MCU18.0166 - Response to Information Request

Table 6-4 Assessment of Viewpoint 3: View from Cooran Tablelands Lookout
 Description of the view   Elevated view from Cooran Tablelands (James Mc Kane Memorial) Lookout, approximately 1.4km
                           from the site. View east from the tablelands to the valley floor and the volcanic plugs of Mt
                           Pinbarren (left of view), Mt Cooran and Mt Cooroora (centre of view) are noted as ‘prominent
                           topographical and scenic features’ to be preserved and protected in The Noosa Plan (s. 8.7.2f).
 Description of the        The monopole would be located in the far right of the view, glimpsed between a break in the
 Proposal                  trees at the lookout plateau edge and at a distance of 1.4km. The lower section of the monopole
                           would be screened by surrounding vegetation and the upper section viewed above the
                           vegetation but against the vegetated backdrop of the distant ridges. The scale of this element
                           would be small due to the distance.
                           Construction activity would be mostly screened by the existing vegetation surrounding the site,
                           however, tall machinery would be visible rising above the treeline during installation of the
                           monopole. This work would be seen against a backdrop of vegetation and largely absorbed into
                           the view.
 Visual Sensitivity        This view has a regional visual sensitivity as it is a lookout identified in the Woondum National
                           Park map and located on the Noosa Trail Network (Trail 3: Kin Kin to Cooran via Western Branch
                           Road).
 Visual Modification       Level of modification (Low, Medium, High)                                               L     M   H
 Distance                  The monopole would be in the background of the view and comprise a small
                           part of the visible field of view. It is likely that this element would be
                           imperceptible at this distance.
 Scale                     Relatively thin structure and small within the scale of the landscape
 Landform & contrast       Undulating, including a network of hills, ridges and valleys associated with the
                           Cooran Tablelands. The vertical monopole would somewhat contrast with the
                           surrounding undulating landscape.
 Scale of land use         Large tracts of vegetation interspersed with small scale rural land uses,
                           including farming, grazing and individual dwellings with existing transmission
                           lines within the view, and able to absorb the scale of the proposal
 Backdrop                  The tower would be seen against a vegetated hillside and rural backdrop
 Form                      The monopole would be a relatively small and simple element in this view
                           Overall, the monopole would comprise a small element on a lower ridgeline in
                           the middle ground of this view. It would be largely absorbed as it would be
                           seen against the backdrop of trees, rural and vegetated ridges.
                           There would be a no perceived modification of the view.
 Level of Impact           Negligible visual impact




IRIS Visual Planning + Design                                                                                       Page 29