Original source · versioned page text
Cooran - Development Application
Attached to the e-mail Service & Utility Type 3 Tower (Telecommunications) -MCU18/0166.
The original of this document is very large (12.7 MB). Opening the original or downloading it may take a few minutes. Please be patient and don't click again. The page text is quick to read. If you are on mobile data, it is best to wait until you are on Wi-Fi.
NBN-4NBZ-4POM-5145 – Cooran 10 October 2018 The Chief Executive Officer Noosa Shire Council PO Box 141 Tewantin QLD 4565 Dear Sir/Madam, Proposed National Broadband Network (nbn™) Fixed Wireless Facility (Impact Assessable) at 244 Tablelands Road, Cooran QLD 4569 (Lot 22 on SP148684) nbn has engaged Ericsson as the equipment vendor and project manager to establish the infrastructure required to facilitate the fixed wireless component of the nbn™ network. Ericsson has in turn engaged Aurecon to act on its behalf in relation to the establishment of the required fixed wireless network infrastructure. The nbn™ network is an upgrade to Australia’s existing telecommunications network. It is designed to provide Australians with access to fast, affordable and reliable internet and landline phone services. nbn plans to upgrade the existing telecommunications network in the most cost-efficient way using best-fit technology and taking into consideration existing infrastructure. To enable the provision of these services to the local community, nbn has undertaken a thorough analysis of potential site alternatives and during this process has attempted to select the most appropriate site. Factors such as the ability to meet the required coverage and technical objectives, opportunities for co-location, the surrounding landscape and community needs have all been carefully considered as part of this selection process. Based on this assessment, nbn determined that the above address would be the most appropriate location to establish a facility so as to provide high speed wireless broadband coverage to Cooran. Please find enclosed an application for a planning permit and supporting information for a proposed telecommunications facility comprising a 35 m monopole along with ancillary components at the above address which will form part the nbn™ fixed wireless infrastructure.
See the original
The page text is free to read. Viewing or downloading an original file needs an account.
Log in to see the originalVery large file: the download may take a few minutes. If you are on mobile data, it is best to wait until you are on Wi-Fi.
Searchable page text hides email addresses. Original files are unchanged and may show email addresses.
Full text of pages 2 to 129 (of 156)
Page 2
The application is accompanied by: • Completed Development Application (DA) Forms; • Planning Report including the development plans and attachments; • Owners Consent; and • A copy of title. Payment for this application has been made. We trust that you have all the necessary information to commence your assessment of this application. If you have any queries regarding the subject application, please do not hesitate to call Max Peel on (07) 3173 8353 or alternatively email [email protected] Sincerely, Max Peel Town Planner
Page 3
aurecon
Ref: Cooran Date: 11th December 2017
NBN Co Limited
c/- Aurecon
GPO Box 331
BRISBANE QLD 4001
OWNERS CONSENT
We, Gabrielle Marina Seeger & Beate Czamanska, being the registered owner(s) of the property
described as Lot 22 SP 148684, hereby grant NBN Co Limited the right to lodge on our behalf any
applications required for Town Planning and/or Building Approval for the establishment of
telecommunications infrastructure on the abovementioned property.
Dated this___�
OJ·f-h
l ____ day of
--,-Q'l )JI �
....J l01'7" .2. 0 I K
°
s 0 ·1 � Gabrielle Seeger
\0 wn e. v-
• If there are multiple owners a signature is required from each one
• The ACN Number and if the owner of the land is a company two (2) directors of the company
or a director and a company secretary
• OR if a sole director and no Secretary, the owner consent must clarify that the person is the
sole Director is also the sole Secretary.
• A company seal can be used if witnessed by two company directors or a director and a
company secretary.
• If the land is leased the lessor must sign the form.
• Where the owner is identified as a Body Corporate, a Body Corporate Seal and Body
Corporate resolution consenting the proposal & two signatures (one of which must be the
chairperson OR
• Body Corporate Seal and a letter of consent signed by chairperson and secretary OR
• A signed letter of consent from each lot owner covered by the Body Corporate.
4
Page 4
Planning Report Proposed Fixed Wireless Facility 244 Tablelands Road Cooran QLD 4569 NBN Site Reference NBN-4NBZ-4POM-5145 – Cooran
Page 5
Disclaimer
This document is provided for information purposes only. This document is subject to the
information classification set out on this page. If no information classification has been included,
this document must be treated as UNCLASSIFIED, SENSITIVE and must not be disclosed other
than with the consent of nbn. The recipient (including third parties) must make and rely on their
own inquiries as to the currency, accuracy and completeness of the information contained herein
and must not use this document other than with the consent of nbn.
© 2016 nbn™ limited. All rights reserved.
Document control
Document information
Document number 247473-001-01
Document type Planning Assessment Report
Author Max Peel
Approver (owner) Lisa Shields
Status Final
Issue date 3/9/2018
Revision number 2
Classification UNCLASSIFIED
Revision history
Date Revision Details
27/08/2018 1 Draft Report
10/10/2018 2 Final for issue
2
Page 6
Contents
Executive Summary 5
1. INTRODUCTION 6
2. BACKGROUND 8
2.1 nbn and the National Broadband Network 8
2.2 Network Architecture – Fixed Wireless Delivery 8
2.3 Fixed Wireless Service 9
2.4 The Fixed Wireless Network – Transmission Interdependencies 10
3. SITE SELECTION 12
3.1 Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage 12
3.2 Site Selection Parameters 12
3.3 Candidate Site 13
4. SUBJECT SITE & SURROUNDS 17
4.1 Site Information 17
5. THE PROPOSAL 20
5.1 Facility and Equipment Details 20
5.2 Site Selection 23
6. CURRENT PLANNING CONTROLS 24
6.1 Commonwealth Legislation 24
6.2 Queensland Planning Legislation and Guidelines 25
6.3 Local Government Regulatory Framework 32
7. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 51
7.1 Visual Impact 51
7.2 Heritage 61
7.3 Electrical Interference and Grounding of the Facility 61
7.4 Erosion, Sedimentation Control and Waste Management 61
7.5 Traffic Generation 61
7.6 Utility Services 62
7.7 Noise 62
7.8 Flora and Fauna 62
7.9 Bushfire Assessment 63
7.10 Endangered Species 63
7.11 Social and Economic Impacts 63
7.12 Public Safety 64
7.13 The Public Interest and the Benefits of Telecommunications 69
8. CONCLUSION 71
3
Page 7
9. APPENDIX 72
Appendix A - Proposal Plans 73
Appendix B - Copy of Title 74
Appendix C - Code Assessment 75
Appendix D - Environmental Searches 76
Appendix E - EME Report 77
4
Page 8
Executive Summary
Proposal nbn propose to install a new fixed wireless facility at
Cooran comprised of the following:
▪ 35 m monopole;
▪ 1 X parabolic dish antenna;
▪ 5 X panel antennas;
▪ 2 X outdoor cabinets at ground level; &
▪ Ancillary equipment associated with operation of
the facility, including cable trays, cabling, safe
access methods, bird proofing, earthing, electrical
works and air-conditioning equipment.
Purposes The proposed facility is necessary to provide nbn™ fixed
wireless coverage to Cooran with coverage extending to
parts of Pinbarren, Pomona and Traverston.
Property Details Lot & Plan No: Lot 22 on SP148684
Street Address: 244 Tablelands Road, Cooran QLD 4569
Property Owner: Gabrielle Marina Seeger & Beate
Czamanska
Town Planning Council: Noosa Council
Scheme Zones: Rural Zone
Use Definition: Infrastructure Use – Service and Utility
(Type 3 Tower)
Relevant State & Local Planning Policies Complies
Applicable Planning
Policies South East Queensland Regional Plan Yes
State Planning Policy Yes
The Noosa Plan Yes
Application Use and development of the land for the purposes of
construction & operation of a Telecommunications Facility
(Fixed Wireless Facility).
Applicant nbn
c/- Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd
Locked Bag 331, Brisbane QLD 4001
Contact: Max Peel
Our Ref: NBN-4NBZ-4POM-5145 – Cooran
5
Page 9
1. INTRODUCTION
nbn has engaged Ericsson as the equipment vendor and project manager to
establish the infrastructure required to facilitate the fixed wireless component
of the National Broadband Network (nbn™). Ericsson has in turn engaged
Aurecon to act on its behalf in relation to the establishment of the required fixed
wireless network infrastructure.
The nbn™ is an upgrade to Australia’s existing telecommunications network. It
is designed to provide Australians with access to fast, affordable and reliable
internet and landline phone services.
nbn plans to upgrade the existing telecommunications network in the most cost-
efficient way using best-fit technology and taking into consideration existing
infrastructure.
To support the Fixed Wireless component of this network, nbn™ requires a fixed
wireless transmission site to provide fixed wireless internet coverage to Cooran
with coverage extending to parts of Pinbarren, Pomona and Traverston.
An in-depth site selection process was undertaken in the area prior to confirming
the site as the preferred location. This process matched potential candidates
against four key factors, namely:
• Town planning considerations (such as zoning, surrounding land uses,
environmental significance and visual impact);
• The ability of the site to provide acceptable coverage levels to the
area;
• Construction feasibility; and
• The ability for nbn to secure a lease agreement with the landowner.
This application seeks planning consent for:
• a 35 m high monopole;
• radio transmission equipment; and
• ancillary equipment shelter
located at 244 Tablelands Road, Cooran; legally known as Lot 22 on SP148684.
This submission will provide assessment in respect of the relevant planning
guidelines, and demonstrates site selection on the basis of:
• The proposal is designed so as to be appropriately located & sited so as
to minimise visual impact on the immediate & surrounding area;
• The proposal is designed to comply with The Noosa Plan and the Planning
Act 2016;
6
Page 10
• The proposal is designed to achieve the required coverage objectives for
the area;
• The proposal is designed to operate within the regulatory framework of
Commonwealth, State and Local Government; and
• The proposal is designed to operate within all current and relevant
standards and is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media
Authority.
7
Page 11
2. BACKGROUND
2.1 nbn and the National Broadband Network
nbn is responsible for the design, build and operation of Australia’s new fast,
wholesale, open access broadband network. Underpinned by a purpose to
connect Australia and bridge the digital divide, nbn’s key objective is to ensure
all Australians have access to fast broadband as soon as possible, at affordable
prices, and at least cost.
nbn plans to upgrade the existing telecommunications network in the most cost-
efficient way using best-fit technology and taking into consideration existing
infrastructure, in keeping with the Government’s Statement of Expectation 1
that:
“…nbn should roll out a multi-technology mix network and build the network in a cost effective
way using the technology best matched to each area of Australia. …completing the network and
ensuring that all Australians have access to very fast broadband as soon as possible, at affordable
prices, and at least cost to taxpayers.”2
The nbn™ Fixed Wireless network will use cellular technology to transmit signals
to and from a small antenna fixed on the outside of a home or business, which
is pointed directly towards the Fixed Wireless facility.
nbn™ Fixed Wireless network is designed to offer service providers with
wholesale access speeds of up to 25Mbps for downloads and 5Mbps for uploads.3
2.2 Network Architecture – Fixed Wireless Delivery
Due to Australia’s size and particular geographic challenges, the cost of
providing fixed line services to all Australian premises is prohibitive, and has
been considered prohibitive since the inception of the nbn™ in 2009.
Fixed Wireless has been a technology delivered by nbn since 2009. During this
time, more than 2,000 fixed wireless facilities have been proposed across
Australia to deliver high quality broadband to smaller and / or more sparsely
developed communities - because this technology represents a cost-efficient
and time-efficient manner to deliver high-quality services to smaller
1
www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/soe-shareholder-minister-letter.pdf
2
www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/soe-shareholder-minister-letter.pdf
3
nbn is designing the nbn™ to provide these speeds to our wholesale customers, telephone and internet
service providers. End user experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ depends on
some factors outside nbn control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s
service provider designs its network.
8
Page 12
communities. More than 1,700 fixed wireless facilities are currently operational
across Australia, and rural residential communities, including such communities
across the Noosa Hinterland, are typical of the regional and lower-density
communities receiving fixed wireless services across the country.
nbn’s network design at the local level is informed by national design guidelines,
which reflect the Multi-Technology-Mix 4 model, and the Government’s latest
Statement of Expectation. The local design and service delivery mix, which is
based on macro guidelines, also takes into consideration a complex combination
of different local factors, including but not limited to:
• density of development;
• the environmental and topographical characteristics of specific areas;
• distance to the nbn fibre backbone,
• commercial access to existing infrastructure;
• the state of the existing infrastructure;
• lot sizes and lot frontages; and
• the feasibility of providing contiguous fixed line service.
This complex process of analysis, using proprietary information systems and
analytic tools, has been applied to the design and intended service delivery to
communities in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
2.3 Fixed Wireless Service
The nbn™’s fixed wireless network, which uses advanced technology commonly
referred to as LTE or 4G, is engineered to deliver services to a fixed number of
premises within each coverage area. The nbn™’s fixed wireless network uses
cellular technology to transmit signals to and from a small antenna fixed on the
outside of a home or business, which is pointed directly towards the fixed
wireless facility.
The Fixed Wireless service is designed to vastly and equitably improve access
to high quality and reliable broadband, and offers wholesale download speeds
of up to 50Mbps download and up to 20Mbps upload5. This is significantly faster
than the service most rural and rural residential communities currently
experience. Importantly, unlike ADSL services, those speeds are accessible
across the community and not just for properties in close proximity to the
infrastructure.
4
www.nbnco.com.au/blog/the-nbn-project/what-is-the-nbn-multi-technology-mix.html
5
nbn is designing the nbn™ to provide these speeds to our wholesale customers, telephone and internet
service providers. End user experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ depends on
some factors outside nbn control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s
service provider designs its network.
9
Page 13
Further, the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network has been designed to service a known
number of simultaneous subscribers to any one facility, which ensures that the
wholesale service will be stable and reliable, and mitigates the kind of
fluctuations in speed experienced as a result of congestion on both ADSL
services and mobile wireless. People’s usage of the network will still vary, but
the set number of serviced premises in each area means that the bandwidth per
household is designed to be more consistent, even in peak times of use.
2.4 The Fixed Wireless Network – Transmission
Interdependencies
Just as nbn™ Sky Muster™ customers access the nbn™ fibre network via a
satellite that transmits data back to ground stations connected to the fibre, so
too fixed wireless customers’ data must also find its’ way to the broader nbn™
fibre network. In essence, nbn™ fixed wireless customers access the nbn™
fibre via one or more radio links.
These radio links are known as the “transmission network”. They are critical to
the accessibility of the fixed wireless service, and form a crucial part of the
network design. Each fixed wireless facility is connected to another to form a
chain of facilities that link back to the nbn™ fibre network. Although fixed
wireless facilities are submitted to Council as standalone developments from a
planning perspective, they are highly interdependent.
The transmission network comprises “fibre HUB” facilities (facilities connected
to the fibre network and representing the critical anchor for fixed wireless
service delivery); “mini-HUB facilities” (facilities in the middle of a transmission
chain that are not connected to fibre but nevertheless have downstream
dependent facilities relying on transmission via the mini-HUB to reach the fibre
HUB); and “end site” facilities (those fixed wireless facilities at the end of the
transmission chain).
Fibre-HUB and mini-HUB facilities therefore perform two functions: they deliver
a local fixed wireless service to the immediately surrounding community, and
they act as a critical transmission link relaying data from neighbouring
downstream dependent facilities.
The quality and speed of the wholesale nbn™ fixed wireless service does not
differ between the front (fibre HUB) and the end (end terminal site) of the
transmission chain because nbn designs the fixed wireless network to limit the
number of transmission links necessary to connect customers, ensuring equity
in service across communities. Were nbn to design the network with longer,
multiple transmission links, communities at the end of the chain would
experience a compromised service.
10
Page 14
The transmission network requires absolute line of sight from facility to facility
to enable the user’s data to reach the fibre HUB and thereby connect to the
broader nbn™ network. Communities relying on the fixed wireless service will
remain unconnected without the transmission network relaying their data to the
broader nbn™ network. The loss of a fixed wireless facility can have
consequences not only for the immediate community, but also downstream
communities whose data is intended to be routed via that facility and may have
no other means of reaching the nbn™ fibre network.
The architectural character of the Fixed Wireless network is visually
demonstrated in Figure 2.1 below.
Figure 2.1: The fixed wireless network
11
Page 15
3. SITE SELECTION
Planning for a new fixed wireless broadband facility is a complex process. nbn
conducts a rigorous multi-stage scoping process, as outlined below.
3.1 Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage
nbn™’s Fixed Wireless locations are determined by a number of factors including
the availability of both the nbn™ Fibre transit network and the availability of
Point of Interconnect (POI) facilities to allow for the installation of nbn™ fibre
equipment. nbn uses a number of methods to identify those parts of Australia
that require Fixed Wireless coverage. When an area is identified as requiring
Fixed Wireless coverage, investigations are undertaken to determine the
measures required to provide this coverage.
nbn has identified a requirement to provide a Fixed Wireless facility at Cooran.
The facility is designed to provide Fixed Wireless internet services to
approximately 360 premises in Cooran, Pinbarren, Pomona and Traverston.
3.2 Site Selection Parameters
nbn generally identifies an area where the requirement for a Fixed Wireless
facility would be highest; a ‘search area.’ A preliminary investigation of the area
is then undertaken, in conjunction with planning and property consultants,
radiofrequency engineers and designers in order to identify possible locations to
establish a facility.
Generally speaking, new sites must be located within, or immediately adjacent
to, the identified search area in order to be technically feasible. However, while
the operational and geographical aspects of deploying new facilities are primary
factors, there are also many other issues that influence network design, which
have to be resolved in parallel. Some of the issues that may be considered
include visual amenity, potential co-location opportunities, the availability and
suitability of land as well as a willing site provider, occupational health and
safety, construction issues (including structural and loading feasibility and
access for maintenance purposes), topographical constraints affecting network
line of site, legislative policy constraints, environmental impacts, and cost
implications.
The number, type and height of facilities required to complete the Fixed Wireless
network are largely determined by the above operational, geographical and
other factors discussed that influence final network design. These compounding
factors often severely restrict the available search area within which a facility
12
Page 16
can be established to provide Fixed Wireless internet services to a local
community. The key technical parameters for the sites require:
• Distance to the users, and network capacity -the ability for each facility
to service the maximum number of customers while ensuring the product
specifications are met.
• Each radio network is sited and designed to communicate with the
maximum possible number of customers in their homes or business
premises.
• Locating an nbn™ Fixed Wireless facility too far away from the intended
users will compromise download speeds.
• Locating an nbn™ Fixed Wireless facility in a de-centralised position
relative to the coverage area will reduce the number of sectors it can be
designed with, significantly reducing the capacity or service delivery of a
facility.
3.3 Candidate Site
3.3.1 Opportunities to Co-locate
nbn investigated co-locating equipment and antennas on the existing Telstra
facility at 265 Tablelands Road, Cooran. This 25 m high monopole has previously
been extended by 5 m and currently holds equipment from Telstra, Vodafone
and GWN.
Considering the above, the maximum height available for nbn to co-locate on
this facility would be approximately 20 m. Furthermore, the relative ground
height of the existing Telstra facility is approximately 15m lower than the
proposed site. Although collocating at a height of 20m would provide a ‘low-
impact’ solution, nbn would not be able to provide a good/reliable service to the
targeted premises.
In order to co-locate by replacement of the existing facility, a stronger and taller
facility would be required in order for nbn to achieve good/reliable service to
the intended community, whilst also accommodating Telstra, Vodafone and
GWN’s existing and future (reserved) equipment. A new facility in this location
would likely require a 50m lattice tower structure to accommodate for the
relatively lower ground elevation and to ensure that the structural integrity of
the facility is maintained. A larger lattice tower was not considered a desirable
outcome, as it was determined a new greenfield facility could be designed as a
less obtrusive 35 m monopole to provide service to the community.
Therefore, co-location on this facility was discounted.
13
Page 17
Figure 3.1: Opportunities to Co-locate (Source: Google Earth)
3.3.2 Existing Structures
Where possible, nbn have investigated opportunities to utilise other forms of
existing infrastructure to ‘co-site’. Using desktop analysis and site inspection,
no opportunities for ‘co-siting’ were identified.
3.3.3 Greenfield Candidate
nbn recognises the sensitivity associated with such a proposal and strives to
strike a balance between providing services and minimising the impacts on the
locality. During the site selection process, which involves identifying several
potential locations to site the telecommunication facility, a number of factors
are taken into consideration. These include, achieving coverage requirements
for the area as well as planning objectives, co-location opportunities and
property and construction requirements. nbn endeavours to avoid locating
search areas in close proximity to residential localities and potentially sensitive
land uses, where practicable.
A total of six (6) candidates were investigated within the Cooran area. Of these
candidates, four (4) candidates were not interested in nbn’s proposal (refer to
14
Page 18
Figures 3.2). The remaining two (2) candidates (H and I), were selected for in-
depth investigation including an on-site inspection (refer to Table 3.3 below).
Figure 3.2: nbn™ Candidate Sites (Source: Google Earth)
A summary of the two greenfield candidates that were investigated is set out in
Table 3.3 below, including a description of the opportunities and constraints
that each site afforded.
15
Page 19
Table 3.3: Alternative Candidate Assessment
Candida Address/Lo Facility Description
te t Number Type
H 265 40 m nbn investigated the potential to construct a
Tablelands monopole new 40 m high monopole facility at 265
Road, Tablelands Road, Cooran (Lot 89 on
Cooran MCH1219). The 0.4 ha property is located
within the ‘Rural’ zone under The Noosa Plan.
Lot 89 on
An existing Telstra facility is located
MCH1219
approximately 20 m away (north) from
Candidate H. Due to the possible interference
with existing facility, Candidate H was
discounted.
I 244 35 m nbn also investigated the potential to
Tablelands monopole construct a new 35 m high monopole facility
Road, at 244 Tablelands Road, Cooran (Lot 22 on
Cooran SP148684). The 19 ha property is located
within the ‘Rural’ zone under The Noosa Plan.
Lot 22 on
SP148684 In addition to the mature vegetation
encompassing much of the subject site, the
subject site contains a primary and secondary
residential dwelling, ancillary shed structures
and a shipping container.
Mature vegetation on the subject site and
surrounding properties provides favourable
screening to Candidate I. Furthermore, a new
facility at this location is able to provide
reliable coverage to the targeted Cooran area
while retaining a similar height to the existing
Telstra facility located to the west of
Tablelands Road.
As such, Candidate I was selected as the
preferred candidate.
16
Page 20
4. SUBJECT SITE & SURROUNDS
4.1 Site Information
The proposed facility is to be located on land situated at 244 Tablelands Road,
Cooran; legally described as Lot 22 on SP148684. Figures 4.1 and 4.2 identify
the subject property within the context of the local area, as well as the proposed
location of the facility on the property.
Subject Property
Figure 4.1: Aerial map of the site within the context of the wider area (Source: Google Earth)
17
Page 21
Proposed facility
location
Figure 4.2: Aerial map of the site within the context of the local area (Source: Google Earth)
The subject property features a primary and secondary dwelling, ancillary shed
structures and a shipping container.
The topography of the subject site is undulating, with ground levels ranging from
113 m AHD at its lowest point at the south-eastern corner to 192 m AHD at the
highest point at the north-western corner of the property. The relative height at
which the facility is proposed to be located is 164 m AHD.
The site adjoins large rural properties in all directions. The subject property also
adjoins Tablelands Road along a small section of its south-western boundary.
The Woondum National Park is located approximately 900 m to the north-west.
Figure 4.3 provides an aerial view of the characteristics of the subject site and
surrounding area.
18
Page 22
Landowner’s ‘secondary’
dwelling
Closest dwelling at 250 Tablelands
Road (separation approx. 110m)
Landowner’s ‘primary’
dwelling
Figure 4.3: Characteristics of subject site (Source: Google Earth)
The built form and typical land uses on properties in the surrounding area are
predominantly single detached dwellings on rural allotments. An existing Telstra
facility is located approximately 100 m south-west of the proposed facility, on
the opposite side of Tablelands Road.
Separation between the proposed facility on the subject property and the closest
dwelling on a nearby property is approximately 110 m to the north-west (250
Tablelands Road).
Access to the subject site will be provided via the existing property driveway off
Tablelands Road. Internal access to the proposed compound location is to be via
a 25 m long extension off the existing driveway.
19
Page 23
5. THE PROPOSAL
5.1 Facility and Equipment Details
5.1.1 Equipment to be installed
Approval is sought for the use and development of a telecommunications facility,
comprising a 35 m monopole, and ancillary components including two outdoor
units (ODU) enclosed within a secure compound which measures approximately
120 m2.
The specific components of the proposed installation are described below:
• The installation of a 35 m monopole;
• The installation of one (1) parabolic dish antenna (600 mm) for
transmission purposes, at an elevation of 32 m on the monopole;
• The installation of five (5) panel antennas (dimensions 1.07 m high x 0.30
m wide x 0.15 m deep), located at an elevation of 35 m;
• The installation of a 2.4m high chain link security compound fence
(compound area 120 m2), with 3 m wide access gate;
• The installation of two (2) outdoor equipment units (dimensions: 2.614
m high x 0.7 m wide x 0.7 m deep; and the other is 1.794 m high x 0.667
m wide x 0.797 deep) at ground level. The outdoor units will be installed
on a concrete slab and will be metallic grey in colour; and
• The installation of associated feeder cables that will run underground from
the equipment cabinets, and then internally within the monopole to the
antennas.
This nbn™ Fixed Wireless facility is a Wireless Hub Site within the network,
providing nbn™ services to Cooran with coverage extending to parts of
Pinbarren, Pomona and Traverston.
Figure 5.1 represents an example of a monopole while Figure 5.2 represents
an example of a parabolic dish.
Figure 5.3 identifies the specific site on the subject property where the
proposed development is to be located.
Please refer to Appendix A – Proposed Plans for further details.
20
Page 24
Figure 5.1: Example of a
Figure 5.2: Example of a parabolic dish antenna
monopole
Proposed facility
location
Figure 5.3: Proposed monopole location on subject land (facing north)
21
Page 25
5.1.2 Access and Parking Details
Access to the subject site will be provided via the existing property access off
Tablelands Road. Access to the proposed compound location is to be via an
extension of the existing driveway (approximately 25 m in length).
The facility and all ancillary components will be constructed over the one title.
A copy of title is provided in Appendix B. Plans indicating the details of the
proposal form part of the documentation of this application.
The site access is considered to be appropriate given the nbn™ facility will not
be a significant generator of traffic.
During the construction phase, a truck will be used to deliver the equipment and
a crane will be utilised to lift most of the equipment into place. Any traffic
impacts associated with construction will be of a short-term duration and are
not anticipated to adversely impact on the surrounding road network. In the
unlikely event that road closure will be required, nbn will apply to the relevant
authorities for permission.
A total construction period of approximately ten weeks (including civil works and
network integration and equipment commissioning) is anticipated. Construction
activities will involve four basic stages:
• Stage 1 (Week 1) – Site preparation works, including field testing,
excavation and construction of foundations;
• Stage 2 (Weeks 2, 3 and 4) – Construction of the monopole;
• Stage 3 (Weeks 5 and 6) – Construction of the equipment shelter and
fences;
• Stage 4 (Weeks 7 – 10) – Installation of antennas and radio equipment,
as well as equipment testing.
Once operational, the facility will function on a continuously unstaffed basis and
will typically only require maintenance works three (3) times a year.
5.1.3 Utility Service Details
Power will be supplied to the site via a new aerial and underground electrical
route (as shown on Drawing Number C2 of the Proposal Plans attached as
Appendix A). In the unlikely event that power is not available to the site, a
temporary power supply would be required in the form of a generator. Upgrades
to the existing power facilities will be at the applicant’s expense.
22
Page 26
5.1.4 Construction and Noise
Noise and vibration emissions associated with the proposed facility are expected
to be limited to the construction phase outlined above. Noise generated during
the construction phase is anticipated to be of short duration and accord with the
standards outlined in the relevant EPA guidelines. Construction works are
planned only to occur between the hours of 7.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to
Saturday.
There is expected to be some low level noise from the ongoing operation of air
conditioning equipment associated with the equipment shelter, once installed.
Noise emanating from the air conditioning equipment is expected to be at a
comparable level to a domestic air conditioning installation, and should generally
accord with the background noise levels prescribed by relevant guidelines.
5.2 Site Selection
Following an evaluation of the alternative options and the issues identified, a
new facility and associated infrastructure at the subject site is deemed to be the
most acceptable solution for the following reasons:
• The proposed facility has been located on a large, rural allotment which
allows for separation from nearby dwellings, the closest of which is
located approximately 110 m to the north-west;
• Existing mature vegetation within the subject property and adjoining
properties will help minimise the potential visual impact of the facility
when viewed from the surrounding area;
• The vegetated ridgeline will assist in providing a backdrop to a large
portion of the monopole when viewed from residential areas to the south;
• The proposed facility will be seen in context with the existing Telstra
facility, an accepted part of the landscape;
• The undulating topography of the area will assist in obscuring views
towards the facility from dwellings and roads within the wider area;
• Significant views within the region are protected and not adversely
impacted upon;
• A monopole was selected as the preferred structure over a lattice tower
design as this type of facility can remain slim line and is less visually
obtrusive when viewed from a distance;
• The location is accessible to a reliable power supply; and
• The location enables the height of the proposed facility to be restricted to
35 m whilst still achieving coverage to all the targeted localities and
obtaining line of sight to other planned sites in the nbn™ wireless
network.
23
Page 27
6. CURRENT PLANNING CONTROLS
6.1 Commonwealth Legislation
As a licensed telecommunications carrier, nbn must operate under the
provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997 and the following supporting
legislation:
• The Telecommunications Code of Practice 1997;
• The Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (as
amended); and
• The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
1999.
6.1.1 The Telecommunications Act
This legislation establishes the criteria for ‘low impact’ telecommunication
facilities. If a proposed facility satisfies the requirements of a ‘low impact’
facility, the development is exempt from the planning approval process.
Further clarification of the term ‘low impact’ is provided in the
Telecommunications Act 1997 and the Telecommunications (Low Impact
Facilities) Determination 2018, which was gazetted subsequent to the Act. The
Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 2018 establishes
certain facilities, which cannot be considered ‘low impact’ facilities.
The proposed facility is not low impact under the definitions contained in the
Commonwealth legislation as it involves the construction of a new tower.
Planning consent is therefore required for the proposed facility.
6.1.2 Telecommunications Code of Practice 1997
Under the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Government established the
Telecommunications Code of Practice 1997, which sets out the conditions under
which a carrier must operate.
Section 2.11 of the Telecommunications Code of Practice 1997 sets out the
design, planning and installation requirements for the carriers to ensure the
installation of facilities is in accordance with industry ‘best practice’. This is
required to:
“… minimise the potential degradation of the environment and the visual
amenity associated with the facilities.” [Section 2.11(3)]
The siting and design of the proposal has taken place in accordance with Section
3 (Planning and Siting) of the Australian Standard – Siting of Radio
Communications Facilities (AS 3516.2).
24
Page 28
Furthermore, following an assessment of the available options, it became
evident that there were no suitable existing telecommunications facilities or
other structures (including buildings or power poles) located within the search
area that could provide the required site objective/co-location opportunities.
6.1.3 The Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018
The Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 identifies
both the type of facilities that can be “Low-impact”, and the areas in which these
facilities can be installed. Importantly, this current facility is not defined as a
“low impact facility” and is therefore subject to State and Territory Planning
Laws and Regulation. In this specific instance, the provisions of the Planning Act
2016 and The Noosa Plan will be applicable to the proposal.
6.1.4 The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999
obliges telecommunications carriers to consider ‘matters of national
environmental significance’. Under this legislation, an action will require
approval from the Minister of Environment if the action has or is likely to have
an impact on a matter of ‘national environmental significance’. According to the
EPBC Act 1999, there are seven matters of national significance which must be
considered.
All relevant EPBC matters have been considered. It is not anticipated that the
proposal will have a significant impact on any matters of national environmental
significance. Accordingly, approval from the Minister of Environment is not
required in this instance.
6.2 Queensland Planning Legislation and Guidelines
As identified in Section 6.1.3 of this report, the proposed facility does not fall
within the definition of the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities)
Determination 2018. It is therefore subject to State planning instruments and
regulation in addition to the Commonwealth regulatory framework.
There are a number of State Government provisions which could potentially
apply to the proposed nbn™ facility. These include:
• The Planning Act 2016
• State Planning Policy;
• Referral Agencies;
• State Development Assessment Provisions;
• Regional Plans; and
• Local government planning schemes
25
Page 29
6.2.1 The Planning Act 2016
The Planning Act 2016 (the Planning Act) is Queensland’s principal planning
legislation that coordinates planning at a local, state and regional levels. The
Planning Act came into effect on 3 July 2017, replacing the previous Sustainable
Planning Act 2009.
Where a telecommunications facility is not considered a low-impact facility, it is
subject to the provisions of the relevant State planning provisions. The proposed
facility is not defined as a “low impact facility” and is therefore subject to the
Planning Act, Queensland’s principal planning legislation that coordinates
planning at the local, state and regional levels.
The purpose of the Planning Act is to establish an efficient, effective,
transparent, integrated, coordinated, and accountable system of land use
planning, development assessment and related matters that facilitates the
achievement of ecological sustainability. Ecological sustainability is a balance
that integrates –
(a) the protection of ecological processes and natural systems at local,
regional, State, and wider levels; and
(b) economic development; and
(c) the maintenance of the cultural, economic, physical and social
wellbeing of people and communities.
The Planning Act identifies the following hierarchy between the statutory
planning documents within Queensland:
• State planning policy
• Regional plans
• Local government planning schemes
Chapter 3, Part 4 of the Planning Act sets out the Development Assessment
Rules (DA Rules) for the development assessment process, where integrating
State and local government assessment and approval processes for
development. The proposed facility involves a “material change of use” of the
premises and is subject to the provisions of the local planning scheme – The
Noosa Plan.
Pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Planning Act and in accordance with The Noosa
Plan, the proposed telecommunications facility is assessable development and
therefore a development permit is required to be obtained prior to the
commencement of the proposal.
6.2.1.1 State referrals
A referral agency is an agency that has jurisdiction over a matter in a
Development Application if referral to that agency is triggered under Schedule
10 of the Planning Regulation 2017 (the Planning Reg).
26
Page 30
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) within the Department of
State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP) is the
single referral agency for all development applications where the Chief Executive
of the Planning Act has a jurisdiction as either the Assessment Manager or
referral agency. It is noted that there are still a number of other entities that
exist outside of SARA, that still hold jurisdiction for their own referral agency
triggers. Where referral to one of these agencies is required, SARA are not
involved and referral is undertaken to the agency directly in accordance with the
requirements under the Planning Act.
In accordance with Schedule 10 of Planning Regulation, the proposed facility
requires no referrals.
6.2.2 State Planning Policy (SPP)
The State Planning Policy (SPP) is a statutory instrument that identifies matters
of State interest in land use planning development within Queensland. A state
interest is defined under the Planning Act as an interest that the Planning
Minister considers:
• affects an economic or environmental interest of the state or a part of
the state
• affects the interest of ensuring that the purpose of the Act is achieved.
The SPP, effective 3 July 2017, now identifies 17 state interests in land use
planning and development categorised into five themes relating to:
• liveable communities and housing
• economic growth
• environment and heritage
• safety and resilience to hazards
• infrastructure
Under the Act, each local government planning scheme needs to set out
integrated state, regional and local planning and development assessment
policies for an entire local government area. The SPP supports this by setting
down the state interests that apply to plan making, and that should be given
effect through each local government planning scheme.
The SPP applies as a ‘matter to have regard to’ under the Planning Regulation
2017 only if the relevant state interests in the SPP are identified as having not
been appropriately integrated in a local planning instrument, and only to the
extent of any inconsistency. Part E of the SPP contains the state interest policies,
and where relevant the assessment benchmarks for some of the state interests,
27
Page 31
which apply to certain development, if the relevant state interests have not been
appropriately integrated into the planning scheme.
The SPP has not been reflected within The Noosa Plan. An assessment against
the applicable themes of the SPP has been provided in Table 6.1 below.
Table 6.1 State Planning Policy
State Interest Assessment Compliance
Natural Hazards – A development application The subject site is identified under
• Flood hazard for a material change of use, the SPP mapping as being located
area* - Level 1 reconfiguring a lot or within a Flood Hazard Area – Level 1
– Local operational works on land – Local Government Flood Mapping
Government within: Area, and Bushfire Prone Area
flood mapping (Medium Potential Bushfire
• A flood hazard area, Potential).
area
or
• Bushfire • A bushfire hazard
Hazard area area, or Risk associated with bushfire
(Bushfire Prone • A landslide hazard hazards represent an important
Area) area; or consideration for siting and
• A coastal hazard area development decision making.
• For all natural Nevertheless, the following design
hazards: and siting features have been
applied to mitigate the risks of a
Development: bushfire hazard:
• The facility will not increase
1. Avoids natural hazards bushfire risk, given that it
areas or mitigates the does not involve hazardous
risks of the natural materials or emit undue heat,
hazards; and sparks or open flame;
2. Supports, and does not • The tower has been designed
unduly burden, disaster to be resilient to bushfire
management response or damage;
recovery capacity and • The proposed use will not
capabilities; and increase the number of
3. Directly, indirectly and people living or working in
cumulatively avoids an the area
increase in the severity of • Power cabling will be run
the natural hazards and underground from the point
the potential for damage of supply to the meter board
on the site or to other and again to the equipment
properties; and cabinet reducing the risk of
4. Avoids risks to public weather damage that may
safety and the result in malfunction;
environment from the • cable trays will be enclosed in
location of hazardous galvanised casing; and
materials and the release
of these materials as a
28
Page 32
result of a natural • The equipment cabinet and
hazard; and meter board will be designed
to resist ember penetration.
Maintains or enhances
natural processes and the
protective function of With regards to risks associated with
landforms and vegetation flooding, it is noted that the local
that can mitigate risks government flood mapping indicates
associated with the natural that the site is not subject to
hazard flooding. Notwithstanding this, the
proposed development will not
substantially increase the
impermeable surface area of the
site. The proposed lease area is
approximately 0.063% of the total
site area. Due to the small lease
area, the proposed development is
unlikely to increase the severity of
flooding.
Biodiversity – (1) Development is located The subject site is identified under
• MSES - in areas to avoid the SPP mapping as containing MSES
Wildlife significant impacts on - Wildlife Habitat.
habitat matters of national
environmental It is acknowledged that vegetation
significance and clearing is required for the proposed
considers the facility, construction area and access
requirements of the track. However, the proposed
Environment Protection facility has been located in an area
and Biodiversity largely cleared of woody vegetation,
Conservation Act 1999. and avoids the need to clear
remnant vegetation regulated under
(2) Matters of state the Vegetation Management Act
environmental 1999. Furthermore, the proposed
significance are identified facility has been located adjacent to
and development is a cleared area that is close to
located in areas that existing infrastructure to minimise
avoid impacts; where total clearing and to ensure that
adverse impacts cannot clearing will not result in
be reasonably avoided fragmentation or connectivity of
they are minimised. animal habitats.
(3) Matters of local The subject site, under the DES flora
environmental survey trigger mapping, is not
significance are identified identified within a ‘high risk’ area
and development is (refer Appendix D). Therefore, a
located in areas that pre-construction flora survey will not
29
Page 33
avoid adverse impacts; be required under the Nature
where adverse impacts Conservation Act 1992.
cannot be reasonably
avoided, they are The site has been located outside of
minimised. medium or high value koala
bushland.
(4) Ecological processes and
If any animal breeding places
connectivity is
(including tree hollows) are
maintained or enhanced
identified during construction,
by avoiding
appropriate measures will be
fragmentation of matters
undertaken.
of environmental
significance. All clearing activities will be
undertaken in accordance with nbn
(5) Viable koala populations construction management plans,
in South East Queensland including measures to avoid impacts
are protected by to fauna species, and vegetation
conserving and outside of the clearing footprint.
enhancing koala habitat
extent and condition.
Infrastructure (1) The outcomes of The nbn™ is an upgrade to
integration significant infrastructure Australia’s existing
plans and initiatives by telecommunications network. It is
all levels of government designed to provide Australians with
are considered and access to fast, affordable and
reflected, where reliable internet and landline phone
relevant. services.
The Government is committed to
(2) Development achieves a
completing the network and
high level of integration
ensuring that all Australians have
with infrastructure
access to very fast broadband as
planning to:
soon as possible, at affordable
(a) Promote the most
prices, and at least cost to
efficient, effective
taxpayers. To achieve these
and flexible use of
objectives nbn is rolling out a multi-
existing and planned
technology mix network and building
infrastructure
the network in a cost effective way
(b) Realise multiple
using the technology best matched
economic, social and
to each area of Australia.
environmental
benefits from To support the Fixed Wireless
infrastructure component of this network, nbn™
investment requires a fixed wireless
(c) Ensure consideration transmission site to provide fixed
of future wireless internet coverage to
infrastructure Cooran, with coverage extending to
needed to support parts of Pinbarren, Pomona and
infill and greenfield Traverston. The proposed fixed
growth areas wireless facility has been designed to
30
Page 34
(d) Optimise the location provide wireless broadband services
of future to surrounding premises in Cooran.
infrastructure within
communities to A search of the Radio Frequency
provide greater National Site Archive confirms that a
access to facilities viable co-location opportunity exists
and services and in the Cooran area. The closest
enable productivity existing facility to the proposed
improvements facility is a 25 m high Telstra tower
at 265 Tablelands Road, Cooran
(Figure 3.1).
(3) Development occurs:
(a) In areas currently
serviced by state In order to co-locate by replacement
and/or local of the existing facility, a stronger
infrastructure and and taller facility would be required
associated services; in order for nbn to achieve
or good/reliable service to the intended
(b) In a logical and community, whilst also
orderly location, accommodating Telstra, Vodafone
form and sequence and GWN’s existing and future
to enable the cost (reserved) equipment. A new facility
effective delivery of in this location would likely require a
state and local 50m lattice tower structure to
infrastructure to accommodate for the relatively
service lower ground elevation and to
development. ensure that the structural integrity of
the facility is maintained. A larger
lattice tower was not considered a
(4) Existing and planned desirable outcome, as it was
infrastructure is determined a new greenfield facility
protected from could be designed as a less obtrusive
development that would 35 m monopole to provide service to
compromise the ability of the community.
infrastructure and
A suitable location on the subject
associated services to
site has been selected and a lease is
operate safely and
in place. The proposed facility is
efficiently.
protected and will operate safely and
efficiently.
31
Page 35
6.2.3 Regional Plan
The proposed development falls within the south-east Queensland region which
is covered under the Shaping SEQ 2017. The Regional Plan covers Noosa in the
north, the New South Wales-Queensland border in the south, and Toowoomba
in the west.
The Regional Plan allocates all land into one of three land use categories;
Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area, Urban Footprint and Rural Living
Area. These categories provide the spatial context for the regulatory provisions
of the Regional Plan. The subject site falls within the Regional Landscape and
Rural Production Area.
The Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area identifies land with regional
landscape, rural production or other non-urban values. It protects this identified
land type from inappropriate development, particularly urban or rural residential
development.
It is considered that the use for a Telecommunications Facility will not
compromise the intent of the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area.
The proposal is for a Telecommunications Facility, and no urban or rural
residential development is proposed. Therefore, the proposed facility is
generally compliant with the provisions of the SEQ Regional Plan for the Regional
Landscape and Rural Production Area.
6.2.3.1 ShapingSEQ
As part of the government’s ongoing commitment to planning in SEQ, the
department has undertaken a review of the current SEQ Regional Plan 2009-
2031, and has produced the draft SEQ Regional Plan ShapingSEQ.
ShapingSEQ provides a framework for managing the region’s growth during the
next 25 years and sets a vision for the next 50 years.
ShapingSEQ continues to allocate all land in the region into one of the three land
use categories; Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area, Urban Footprint
and Rural Living Area. The subject site remains within the Regional Landscape
and Rural Production Area. The proposed facility will not compromise the intent
of the area and is generally compliant with the provisions of ShapingSEQ.
6.3 Local Government Regulatory Framework
In addition to relevant Commonwealth and State Government regulatory
requirements, the proposed facility is also subject to the Local Government
regulatory framework. In this instance, the relevant Local Government
regulatory framework is The Noosa Plan.
32
Page 36
6.3.1 The Noosa Plan
The proposed development is defined within The Noosa Plan as follows:
• Primary Use: ‘Infrastructure Uses’
• Use Class: ‘Service and utility’
• Use: ‘Type 3 Tower’
Type 3 Tower is defined as: ‘The use of premises for a tower, antennas or mast
and supporting shelter or equipment, in the provision or supply of electricity or
telecommunications. The use excludes facilities deemed to be “Low Impact
Facilities” under the Telecommunication (Low Impact Facility) Determination Act
1997, and excludes power poles. The use includes a telecommunication tower,
wind turbine, high voltage transmission lines (110kv or greater).’
6.3.2 Zoning
The subject site is zoned ‘Rural’ under the Planning Scheme. A proposed Material
Change of Use for a ‘Type 3 Tower’ in this Zone is Impact Assessable in
accordance with the Planning Scheme, Division 5, Table 5.3 – Assessment table
for the Rural Zone. Figure 6.1 illustrates the zoning of the subject site.
Proposed Facility
Figure 6.1: Zoning of the site is Rural (Source: The Noosa Plan)
6.3.3 Overlays
The subject site is identified as having the following overlays as outlined under
the Planning Scheme:
• Mary River Catchment - Natural Hazard: Landslide & Flooding Overlay –
the subject site is identified within the landslide hazard area; and
33
Page 37
• Mary River Catchment Natural Hazard: Bushfire & Acid Sulfate Soils
Overlay – the subject site is identified within the medium bushfire hazard
area.
Please refer to Figures 6.2 and 6.3.
Proposed Facility
Figure 6.2: Mary River Catchment Natural Hazard: Landslide & Flooding Overlay (Source: The
Noosa Plan)
Key: Proposed Facility
Figure 6.3: Mary River Catchment Natural Hazard: Bushfire & Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay (Source:
The Noosa Plan)
34
Page 38
6.3.4 Planning Considerations
6.3.4.1 Desired Environmental Outcomes
As the proposed use is identified as Impact Assessable within the Rural Zone,
assessment against the Desired Environmental Outcomes (DEO’s) of The Noosa
Plan is required.
There are 12 categories of DEO’s within The Noosa Plan; five (5) of which are
considered to be relevant to this proposal. Demonstration of compliance with
the relevant DEO’s is contained below in Table 6.2.
Table 6.2 - Compliance with the relevant Desired Environmental Outcomes
Desired Environmental Compliance
Outcomes
3.1.3 (a) Agricultural Uses Complies.
Agricultural industry is maintained by— The subject site is not currently utilised for
agricultural purposes. However, the
(i) conserving land for economically proposed development will not adversely
viable and environmentally affect the capabilities or practices of the site
sustainable agricultural purposes; or surrounding land uses, as the
establishment of the proposed facility will
(ii) preventing the fragmentation of
occupy a relatively small lease area (120
good quality agricultural land;
m²).
(iii) facilitating the growth of non-
traditional, though high value, The introduction of fixed wireless coverage
crops which have minimal impact will enhance the community’s economic
on the natural environment or wellbeing and social growth. Fixed wireless
adjacent crops; in Cooran will aid economic and social
growth and diversification within the
(iv)facilitating the growth of non-
agricultural sectors of the Council, and
traditional animal husbandry
create an opportunity for supplementary
practices such as aquaculture
incomes and business pursuits.
where it does not alienate good
quality agricultural land or have a Therefore, the proposal is considered to be
detrimental impact upon the consistent with DEO 3.1.3 (a).
environment;
(v) protecting agricultural pursuits
from incompatible uses;
(vi)facilitating the growth of farm
forestry practices;
(vii) value adding to farm
produce to enhance economic
viability; and
35
Page 39
Desired Environmental Compliance
Outcomes
(viii) adopting water and
energy efficient practices.
3.1.3 (c) Community Uses and facilities Complies.
An adequate range of community The proposed development is considered an
services and facilities supporting the essential community service for residents
physical, safety, artistic and social needs within the larger-lot areas of Cooran.
of the community are equitably
distributed having regard to the- The proposed facility will provide improved
network access to remote locations within
(i) Location and density of the region to help service current and future
housing residents needs by providing access to
efficient and reliable broadband services.
(ii) Location of transport
infrastructure The use has been appropriately located
within the Cooran locality and sited away
(iii) Location of business centres from community sensitive uses.
(iv) Social, economic and For these reasons the proposal is consistent
demographic patterns of with DEO 3.1.3 (c).
Noosa; and
(v) Functions of towns and
villages
3.1.3 (d) Heritage Complies.
The indigenous and non-indigenous The proposed development will be located on
history, culture and traditions are freehold land. In addition, the subject site is
reflected in the built and natural not identified as containing any heritage
heritage of Noosa and are preserved for items.
future generations.
Therefore, the proposal is consistent with
DEO 3.1.3 (d).
3.1.3 (g) Open space, environment and Complies.
conservation functions
The subject site is privately owned land and
Networks of open space and natural is not identified as being located in an open
habitat, vegetated lands, and riparian space corridor.
zones along watercourses-
It is acknowledged that some vegetation
(i) Are sensitively managed and clearing is required for the compound area,
protected from any adverse construction area and access track. The
impacts, including cumulative proposed facility has been intentionally sited
impacts, resulting from on a property which contains dense
development; vegetation in order to utilise natural
screening benefits. To effectively integrate
(ii) Set Noosa apart from other
coastal parts of south-east
36
Page 40
Desired Environmental Compliance
Outcomes
Queensland by strongly the facility with the natural environment,
protecting the natural vegetation clearing is necessary.
environment
However, clearing will be minimal as the
(iii) Support the economy through proposed facility has been located in an area
the tourism industry largely cleared of mature vegetation. All
clearing activities will be undertaken in
(iv) Define the boundaries to or of accordance with nbn construction
each of the distinct localities management plans, including measures to
of Noosa; avoid impacts to fauna species, and
vegetation outside of the clearing footprint.
(v) Protect water quality,
All other vegetation on site will be
landscape stability and
maintained for screening purposes, and
biodiversity
clearing of vegetation will only be conducted
(vi) Provide passive, nature-based where absolutely necessary.
recreational and educational
opportunities; Furthermore, the proposed compound will
occupy a relatively small, mostly pervious
(vii) Enhance visual amenity; and
area and will not result in a significant
(viii) Provide linkages beyond increase in stormwater runoff from the site,
Noosa’s boundaries. thereby protecting the water quality of
nearby watercourses and streams.
The introduction of fixed wireless coverage
will enhance the community’s potential in
regard to economic wellbeing and social
growth of the wider Noosa area. Fixed
wireless in the Cooran area will aid economic
and social growth and diversification within
the tourism sectors of the shire.
For these reasons the proposal is consistent
with DEO 3.1.3 (g).
3.1.3 (l) Infrastructure and services Complies.
(i) The efficient provision and use of The proposed use for a telecommunications
services such as water, sewerage, facility is identified as an infrastructure
power, telecommunications and waste service as per DEO 3.1.3 (i).
disposal, caters for the needs of
residents and visitors, relative to their The locality of Cooran has been identified for
location within Noosa development of a new facility to provide
broadband services to residents, visitors and
(ii) the ongoing viability of existing businesses within the area.
infrastructure uses and facilities are
protected from the impacts of future To minimise amenity impacts, the facility
development. has been appropriately sited near existing
vegetation established on the property and
surrounding rural allotments. This
37
Page 41
Desired Environmental Compliance
Outcomes
vegetation will offer screening to the facility
when viewed from dwellings in the area.
The siting of this facility has been a strategic
and comprehensive process undertaken to
provide an efficient and high quality service
to the community, whilst minimising
potential impacts on the environment.
Existing infrastructure uses within the area
will not be impacted by the development.
Instead, the proposed facility will provide
telecommunications services and
infrastructure.
For these reasons, the proposal is
considered to comply with the intent of DEO
3.1.3 (l).
6.3.4.2 Applicable Codes
As the proposed use is identified as Impact Assessable within the Rural Zone,
the proposal must be assessed against all relevant components of The Noosa
Plan. The Zone, Overlay and Development Codes that have been deemed
applicable to this application are outlined hereunder:
Part 8 – Planning Area Codes
• Mary River Catchment Locality Code.
Part 14 – Development Codes
• Land Use Code:
o Infrastructure Uses Code.
• General Development Codes:
o Driveways and Car Parking Code;
o Earthworks Code; and
o Landscaping Code.
• Overlay Codes:
o Natural Hazards Overlay Code.
38
Page 42
6.3.4.2.1 Mary Catchment Locality Code
The subject site is located within the Mary Catchment Locality Code. The Overall
Outcomes are the purpose of the Mary Catchment Locality Code. Compliance
with the Overall Outcomes is provided in Table 7.2 below.
Table 7.2 - Compliance with Overall Outcomes of the Mary Catchment Locality Code
a) New uses and works are located, Complies.
designed and managed to—
i. be compatible with other uses and Development for Infrastructure Uses
works; (includes “Tower 3” category) is
ii. maintain the safety of people and identified as an inconsistent land use
works; within the Mary River Catchment
iii. avoid significant adverse impacts on Locality – Rural Zone. However, the
the amenity enjoyed by users of subject site at 244 Tablelands Road is
other premises, including acoustic considered to be an appropriate location
and visual qualities; and to accommodate the proposed fixed
iv. avoid significant impacts to native wireless facility as impacts on visual
habitat including fragmentation, amenity will be minimal and the
attrition, or removal of vegetation or proposed facility will be seen in context
significant habitat features; with the existing Telstra facility (located
110m to the south west), an accepted
b) Development is consistent with the part of the Rural Zone.
Priority Infrastructure Plan in Part 15.
In order to achieve the most appropriate
c) The Mary River Catchment retains its solution, a comprehensive site selection
primary role as a rural and open space area, process was undertaken prior to
supporting a range of sustainable identifying a preferred site for the
Agricultural Uses; development of a new facility. This
process involved consideration of the
d) The rural character, lifestyle and level of site’s ability to achieve coverage
accessibility enjoyed by residents of the objectives, as well as minimising visual
locality is maintained; amenity impacts to the surrounding
area.
e) Key features of the landform and
landscape are protected including— The subject site is considered to
demonstrate an appropriate balance of
i. Mt Pinbarren National Park; the abovementioned goals. The
ii. Six Mile Creek and Tuchekoi proposed facility has been appropriately
Conservation Parks; located within a rural area that provides
iii. the Woondum, Cooroora, Yurol and separation to nearby dwellings and
Ridgewood State Forests; roads. The facility is set back more than
iv. the values attached to the Six Mile, 110 m from the closest dwelling.
Coles, Pinbarren, Skyring, Happy
Jack and Blackfellow Creeks and their Furthermore, the surrounding locality
many tributaries; and contains extensive areas of established
vegetation, which will mitigate the
potential visual impacts associated with
the development. Vegetation on the
39
Page 43
v. the values attached to the remnant subject property will also act as a
stands of rainforest and eucalypt significant buffer between the facility
forest; and surrounding dwellings.
f) The physical setting, characterised by The proposed facility will not impact
steeply dissecting mountain ranges and upon significant views to Mt Cooroora,
narrow valley floors, is preserved and Mt Cooran and Mt Pinbarren.
protected including:-
Furthermore, the subject property is not
i. the watercourses which flow to the currently used for agricultural purposes.
Mary River, including Pinbarren, The facility will not adversely affect any
Coles, Skyring, Middle, Slate, Happy future potential agricultural capabilities
Jack, Blackfellow and Cooroy Creeks of the site. The proposed facility will
and the western arm of Six Mile occupy a relatively small lease area
Creek, as well as a small area in the equivalent to approximately 0.06% of
very north within the Noosa River the site. Minimal vegetation clearing is
Catchment and the floodplain of Six required for access to the compound
Mile Creek ; area or for the construction of the
ii. the expansive valley floors and facility. The proposed development will
foothills associated with Six Mile, not result in adverse impacts on natural
Pinbarren, Coles, Skyring, Middle, habitat, vegetated lands or riparian
Happy Jack and Blackfellow Creeks, zones.
and the rich alluvial soils suited to
small crops, cattle grazing and The proposed facility is located
dairying; approximately 120 m north of the
iii. land in the north dominated by the closest known waterway (Falls Creek).
Woondum Plateau, including the Given the relatively small scale of the
Cooran Tablelands/Mothar Mountain earthworks required to install the
range system; proposed facility and the setback from
iv. the northern extent of the Blackall this nearest waterway, it is not likely
Range and ranges associated with that there will be any notable impacts on
Black Mountain; local waterways and wetland areas due
v. the valleys and many parts of the to run off.
range systems of the western,
The proposed Telecommunications
southern and very northern part of
Facility will not impact on consolidated
the locality with a strong agricultural
and logical expansion of development
history;
within the region. The proposed facility
vi. remnants of rainforest and eucalypt
will support future growth with the
forest remaining on many of the
provision of efficient and effective
steeper slopes and in the less
telecommunications infrastructure by
accessible gullies that are highly
providing reliable fixed wireless
susceptible to disturbance and
broadband coverage to Cooran with
landslides;
coverage extending to parts of
vii. the intrusive volcanic plugs of Mt
Pinbarren, Pomona and Traverston. The
Pinbarren, Mt Cooran and Mt
introduction of fixed wireless coverage
Cooroora as prominent topographical
in Cooran will contribute to fulfilling the
and scenic features;
economic growth of the wider region.
viii. the major watercourse of Six Mile
Creek and the rich alluvial deposits of
40
Page 44
the floodplain associated with this This proposal in turn will support rural
watercourse, which are important enterprise by providing improved
agricultural resources; internet services to residents,
businesses (including home-based
g) The Mary River Catchment communities businesses) and agricultural operations
maintain varying degrees of convenience in the area.
and accessibility to urban services
including—
i. high levels in the south-east for those
areas in close proximity to Cooroy
with ready access to the coastal area
of Noosa via the Cooroy-Noosa Road;
ii. moderate levels in the areas south of
Pomona and in the Black Mountain
Range to Cooroy area;
iii. low to moderate levels in the areas
immediately south-west, west and
north of Pomona and in areas
adjacent to the village of Cooran; and
iv. low levels in the more isolated
balance areas;
h) The rural heritage and character, lifestyle,
privacy, open space, vistas and level of
accessibility enjoyed by residents of the
locality is maintained;
i) The traditional farming lifestyle, where
large rural allotments and modest farm
houses are key features, is maintained;
j) Agriculture remains a significant part of
the economic activity across the locality
through—
i. ensuring that traditional Agricultural
Uses, including small cropping, cattle
grazing and dairying are continued,
especially on the better agricultural
land on and adjacent to the valley
floors;
ii. ensuring that Agricultural Uses and
land suited to agricultural activities
are protected; and
iii. promoting farm forestry within the
locality;
41
Page 45
k) The scale and form of buildings and other
structures are—
i. designed to be responsive to the
rural character and amenity of the
locality;
ii. designed to retain strong historical
connections through the use of
sensitive and traditional building
forms; and
iii. integrated into the landform and
landscape;
l) Residential development, for both
residents and visitors;
i. low impact buildings of a domestic
scale within densely landscaped
settings; and
ii. buildings that are well articulated and
use traditional design elements
consistent with the Queensland
vernacular building style of the
locality;
m) Water supply is available to the town of
Pomona and parts of Cooran village;
n) Sewerage reticulation is available to the
town of Pomona, with effluent transferred
from the pump station in the south-east of
the town, to Cooroy.
o) Development form and density is
constrained in areas outside of the urban
areas by the lack of reticulated sewerage
and the need to dispose of effluent on site;
p) Home-based businesses are promoted
where they are consistent with the amenity
of the locality and environmental qualities;
q) Sustainable, well-designed and locally
appropriate visitor accommodation and
other tourism development are compatible
with, promote and enhance landscape
character, natural environment values and
rural values;
42
Page 46
r) Opportunities are provided for low impact,
short stay visitor facilities, in the form of
farmstay and bed and breakfast
accommodation;
s) Significant tertiary clay resources south
east of Pomona are protected from land uses
which would potentially impact on the
utilisation of those resources;
t) The impacts associated with any new
extractive industry, changes to existing
industry and the rehabilitation of extractive
industries are prevented or mitigated;
u) Recreation values are protected and
enhanced through the maintenance of the
scenic and environmental values of the
locality;
v) Development is designed and sited to
protect significant views to Mt Cooroora, Mt
Cooran and Mt Pinbarren particularly views
from town and village centres and from the
major road network;
m) Noosa’s open space network is protected
and supports a range of recreational
opportunities within the locality focusing
on—
i. the Cooran Tablelands, Mt Cooroora
and Black Mountain;
ii. Six Mile Creek;
iii. the Noosa Trail Network, and iv. day
and weekend tripping through
Noosa’s hinterland, where the
facilities available in the rural towns
and villages of Pomona and Cooran
support these activities;
x) The environmental and cultural heritage
values of the locality are protected and well
managed;
y) Areas of native remnant or regrowth
vegetation, including their biodiversity and
habitat values are protected;
43
Page 47
z) The water quality of watercourses within
the locality is maintained and enhanced;
mm) For the Rural Zone— rural land is
protected and appropriately managed such
that:-
i. Agriculture and habitat protection are
the dominant land uses;
ii. the scenic and environmental values,
the distinct rural amenity and
agricultural productivity of the
locality are preserved and are not
adversely impacted as a
consequence of development on or
adjacent to that land; and
iii. locally appropriate enterprises such
as bed and breakfast
accommodation, farmstays, cabins,
camping grounds, roadside stalls and
home-based businesses enhance the
economic sustainability of the
hinterland
For these reasons, the proposal is considered to comply with the Overall
Outcomes of the Mary River Catchment Locality. Further compliance with the
Specific Outcomes and Probable Solutions is included in Appendix C.
6.3.4.2.2 Infrastructure Uses Code
A ‘Tower’ is considered an Infrastructure Use within the Noosa Plan and is
therefore, assessable against the Infrastructure Uses Code. Section 14.372 of
the Noosa Plan lists overall outcomes for the Infrastructure Uses Code, which
have been considered against the proposal in Table 7.3.
44
Page 48
Table 7.3 - Compliance with Overall Outcomes of the Infrastructure Uses Code
Overall Outcomes Compliance
a) Residents and visitors have access to Complies.
adequate levels of infrastructure to meet
their needs; The proposed telecommunications
facility is considered to be appropriately
b) Infrastructure Uses do not detract from located in order to provide the Cooran
the visual amenity of the major road locality with essential communication
network nor on the rural or residential services, whilst minimising potential
amenity enjoyed by residents of and visitors visual and amenity impacts.
to Noosa;
The proposed facility will provide
c) Facilities are co-located where improved network access to the region
appropriate and practical; to help service current and future
residents needs and has the potential to
d) Infrastructure uses are energy efficient; add to the economic viability by
providing access to efficient and reliable
e) Infrastructure Uses do not pose a threat
broadband services.
to public safety;
Potential visual and amenity impacts
f) The natural character and environmental
have also been considered in the site
values of Noosa are protected from adverse
selection process. The subject property
impacts associated with Infrastructure Uses;
and surrounding area contain large
and
areas of mature vegetation. This
g) Convenient, comfortable and safe access vegetation will help to mitigate potential
is provided with the design of infrastructure visual impacts and provide screening of
uses. the facility from the surrounding area.
It is recognised that the facility will be
an addition to the landscape. However,
telecommunications facilities are
required to be located within the area
they are intended to serve. The
proposed facility will also be seen in the
context of the existing Telstra facility
which is an accepted part of the
landscape.
The proposed facility has been
appropriately located within a low
density, rural residential area and will
not adversely impact the Rural Zone.
The facility has been intentionally
located near to the existing driveway to
minimise the disturbance on the site.
Furthermore, the nbn™ compound will
occupy a relatively small lease area (120
m²), which will prevent the
45
Page 49
Overall Outcomes Compliance
fragmentation of the potentially
productive land.
The site access is considered to be
appropriate given the nbn™ facility will
not be a significant generator of traffic
and is not anticipated to adversely
impact on the surrounding road
network. The existing access is deemed
sufficient for the development. The
proposed facility will also have
restrictions aimed at preventing public
access, including a secured compound
fence with a locked gate and warning
signs placed around the facility
For these reasons, the proposal is considered to comply with the overall
outcomes for the Infrastructure Uses Code. Further compliance with the Specific
Outcomes and Probable Solutions for the Infrastructure Uses Code is included
in Appendix C.
6.3.4.2.3 Driveways and Car Parking Code
The Code for Driveways and Car parking is required to be assessed as part of
this application. The Overall Outcomes of this code have been assessed against
the proposal in Table 7.4.
Table 7.4 - Compliance with Overall Outcomes of the Driveways and Car Parking Code
Overall Outcomes Compliance
a) Safe and reasonable access to and from Complies.
vehicle accommodation and standing
areas within a property and from the The car parking requirements in the Code
public road is provided; for Driveway and Car Parking do not
provide parking requirements for an
b) The safety of pedestrians and cyclists is ‘Infrastructure Use’.
protected;
Access to the subject property will be
c) Development reduces the reliance on provided via the existing property access
private vehicles and promotes public and track off Tablelands Road. A new 25 m
nonmotorised transport options; driveway extension will provide access to
the compound area. Minimal vegetation
d) Car parking spaces and the associated clearing is required for access purposes.
manoeuvring areas provided are designed
to be safe and functional and meet the The proposed development does not
provide for on-site parking as the facility
will not be a large generator of traffic. The
46
Page 50
Overall Outcomes Compliance
reasonable requirements of the particular only times vehicle access will be required
land use; is during the installation of the equipment
and maintenance periods 3-4 times a
e) Adequate provision is made for the year. There is sufficient parking and
standing, parking, loading and unloading, manoeuvring space on-site for vehicles
access and manoeuvring of service during these periods.
vehicles within the development site;
f) Development does not adversely impact
on existing public parking;
g) Adequate monetary contributions are
made in circumstances where Council
considers the provision of external parking
will fulfil the parking demand generated by
the development and will not have an
adverse impact on existing public parking;
and
h) Vehicular access does not impact
adversely upon existing landscaping or
native vegetation.
The Development is considered to comply with the overall outcomes of the
Driveways and Car Parking Code. For these reasons further compliance with the
performance outcomes of the Driveways and Car Parking Code code is not
considered necessary.
6.3.4.2.4 Earthworks Code
The Overall Outcomes of the Earthworks Code have been considered against the
proposal in Table 7.5 below.
Table 7.5 - Compliance with Overall Outcomes of the Height of Buildings and Structure
Overlay Code
Overall Outcomes Compliance
a) To ensure that earthworks do not Complies.
unreasonably impact on the natural
environment or other properties with The proposed facility will be located within
regard to – a lease area of approximately 120 m2.
Earthworks are required to construct the
facility, but will be minimal and limited to
the extent required to establish
appropriate foundations for the monopole
47
Page 51
Overall Outcomes Compliance
(i) Land stability (including and will not result in any adverse impacts
differential settlement or on land stability, drainage, soil
expansion in reactive soils); disturbance or existing amenity.
(ii) Contamination of land; Minimal vegetation clearing is required for
the establishment of the compound area,
(iii) Flooding and drainage; access track and construction area. The
subject site has been located outside of
(iv) Groundwater, watercourses
areas mapped as containing areas of
and wetlands;
environmental importance.
(v) Loss of native remnant or
regrowth vegetation; and
b) Earthworks are designed and
constructed to be structurally sound.
The Development is considered to comply with the overall outcomes of the
Earthworks Code. For these reasons further compliance with the performance
outcomes of the Earthworks Code is not considered necessary.
6.3.4.2.5 Landscaping Code
The Code for Landscaping is required to be assessed as part of this application.
The Overall Outcomes of this code have been considered against the proposal
in Table 7.6.
Table 7.6 - Compliance with Overall Outcomes of the Landscaping Code
Overall Outcomes Compliance
a) retains, reinforces and enhances the Complies.
natural landscape character of the site,
streetscape and locality; The current development does not
propose the establishment of additional
b) retains existing vegetation and other landscaping. Existing mature vegetation
natural features for their ecological, on the subject property provides sufficient
aesthetic and cultural values; screening to the proposed facility. The
proposed facility is also set back from
c) ensures the revegetation and existing dwellings and the road network in
rehabilitation of native wildlife habitat and order to reduce the visual dominance.
riparian zones to protect and enhance
ecological and biodiversity values; The provision of landscaping to screen the
facility is not considered to provide
d) facilitates water management including additional screening benefits beyond what
on-site detention and the efficient is provided by the existing vegetation on-
infiltration of stormwater; site and in the surrounding area.
Therefore, the proposal is considered to
e) enables the establishment of
have a minor impact on the natural
appropriate plantings that are of a scale
48
Page 52
Overall Outcomes Compliance
and density commensurate with building landscape and built environment as the
height, bulk and scale to buffer existing mature vegetation will be retained
development and conflicting land uses; to act as a visual buffer.
f) enhances privacy between dwelling
units and accommodation units;
g) accommodates the outdoor recreation
needs of dwelling occupants; and
h) provides adequate vegetation
treatment to steep slopes and unstable
landforms.
The Development is considered to comply with the overall outcomes of the
Landscaping Code. For these reasons further compliance with the performance
outcomes of the Landscaping Code code is not considered necessary.
6.3.4.2.6 Natural Hazards Overlay Code
The subject site is identified as a ‘Landslide Hazard Area’ and ‘Medium Bushfire
Hazard area’ within the Natural Hazards Overlay. The Overall Outcomes relevant
to the subject site have been considered in Table 7.7.
Table 7.7 - Compliance with Overall Outcomes of the Natural Hazards Overlay Code
Overall Outcomes Compliance
a) development in areas at risk from Complies.
natural hazards is compatible with the
nature of the natural hazard; As the subject site is identified within the
‘Landslide Hazard Area’ of Council’s
b) the risk to people, property and the mapping, the Natural Hazards Overlay
natural environment from natural hazards Code applies to this application.
is minimised;
The location of the proposed facility is on
c) development does not result in a relatively flat land. Any disturbed acid
material increase in the extent or severity sulphate soil will be treated and managed
of natural hazards; and in accordance with the current Queensland
standards. Further geo-technical
d) for acid sulfate areas—the generation investigations will be conducted to
or release of acid and associated metal determine the extent of filling, excavation
contaminants into the environment is and the appropriate stabilisation
avoided. measures. Filling and excavation will not
result in land instability.
49
Page 53
Overall Outcomes Compliance
Additionally, the proposed facility is
located on land mapped as being within a
Bushfire Hazard Area (Medium Bushfire
Hazard Area). Being a non-sensitive use,
the proposed development is considered
to be compatible with the level of risk
associated with the bushfire hazard. The
following design features apply:
• No buildings are proposed and the
subject development is not
habitable use. Therefore, the
facility will not result in an
additional increase in the number
of people living, working or
congregating in the area;
• The facility will not increase
bushfire risk, given it doesn’t
involve hazardous materials; does
not emit undue heat, sparks or
open flame;
• The tower has been designed to be
resilient to bushfire damage; and
• An appropriate concrete area will
surround the facility and provide
suitable distance from hazardous
vegetation.
Therefore, the facility is unlikely to
increase landslide or bushfire risk to
people, property or the natural
environment.
The Development is considered to comply with the overall outcomes of the
Natural Hazards Overlay Code. For these reasons further compliance with the
performance outcomes of the Natural Hazards Overlay code is not considered
necessary.
50
Page 54
7. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS
AND OPPORTUNITIES
7.1 Visual Impact
7.1.1 Setting and Location
nbn has endeavoured to strike a balance between providing services and
minimising any visual impact on the community and local environment.
Telecommunications facilities need to be located in or near the area for which
they are designated to provide or improve coverage. This site was selected
based on consideration of town planning matters, coverage objectives, and the
ability to mitigate impacts on the area’s visual amenity.
The subject property currently features two residential dwellings, a shed and
shipping container. The proposed facility will comprise a 12 m x 10 m lease area
to be located in the south-western corner of the property, near to the existing
driveway. Figures 7.1 7.2 & 7.3. illustrate the location of the proposed facility
on the subject site.
Proposed facility location
Figure 7.1: Location of proposed facility (arrowed) looking south-east from within the subject
property
51
Page 55
Proposed facility location
Figure 7.2: Location of proposed facility (arrowed) looking north-west from within the subject
property
Proposed facility location
Figure 7.3: Location of proposed facility (arrowed) looking south-east from within the subject
property
52
Page 56
As illustrated in Figures 7.1-7.3, the proposed facility is situated amongst
mature vegetation, with trees surrounding the facility extending up to
approximately 18 m in height. This mature vegetation on site will assist in
integrating the facility into the surrounding landscape, and will also provide
screening to the proposed facility when viewed from the surrounding area.
Furthermore, and as illustrated in Figure 7.4, the surrounding Cooran area is
also heavily vegetated. Mature trees on adjoining lots and within the wider area
will further obscure views towards the proposed facility, in turn reducing its
visual dominance in the landscape.
Closest dwelling at
250 Tablelands Road Mature vegetation on subject site
and adjoining properties
Dwelling at
226 Tablelands Road
Figure 7.4: Mature vegetation in the surrounding Cooran area (Source: Google Earth)
The potential visual impact of the proposed facility when viewed from the closest
dwelling to the west at 250 Tablelands Road will be minimal considering the
mature vegetation situated between the uses (refer to Figure 7.4 above),
providing screening to the proposed facility. This is further demonstrated in
Figures 7.5 & 7.6.
It is acknowledged that the proposed facility may be visible from the closest
dwelling, with the top of the proposed facility protruding above the tree line
(refer to Figure 7.6). However, it is considered the siting and design elements
53
Page 57
of the facility (35 m monopole), and mature vegetation between the uses
ensures that proposed development will not have an unreasonable impact on
the views and vistas of the dwelling at 250 Tablelands Road.
Proposed facility location
(behind vegetation)
Closest dwelling at
250 Tablelands Road
Figure 7.5: View looking east from the driveway of 244 Tablelands Road (separation distance
approx. 100 m) (Source: Google Earth)
Proposed facility location
Closest dwelling at
250 Tablelands Road
Figure 7.6: View looking south-east from Tablelands Road (separation distance approx. 170 m)
54
Page 58
The visual impact of the facility when viewed from dwellings within the wider
area will be minimal given the separation distances afforded to the facility, the
existing mature vegetation in the area, and the undulating terrain. Figures 7.8
to 7.12 illustrate views towards the proposed facility from several perspectives
in the surrounding Cooran area. Photograph locations can be seen in
Figure 7.7. Photomontages have also been provided in Appendix F.
Figure 7.7: Photograph locations (Source: Google Earth)
55
Page 59
Figure 7.8 illustrates the view towards the proposed facility from Tablelands
Road from the south (separation of approximately 200 m) and the proximity of
the proposed facility in relation to the existing Telstra facility and dwelling at
226 Tablelands Road.
As illustrated in Figure 7.8, the existing Telstra facility is not readily visible due
to vegetative backdrop and screening provided by mature vegetation in the
area. It is anticipated that the proposed facility will be obscured from screening
provided by mature vegetation, with only the upper limits of the proposed facility
visible from this location.
It is not anticipated that the proposed facility will be visible from the dwelling at
226 Tablelands Road due to the separation distance, mature vegetation
providing screening to the facility and undulating topography of the area.
Proposed facility location
(behind vegetation)
Existing Telstra Facility
Dwelling at 226 Tablelands
Road (behind vegetation)
Figure 7.8: View looking north towards the proposed facility from Tablelands Road (separation
distance approx. 200 m)
56
Page 60
Figure 7.9 illustrates the view towards the proposed facility location from
Brewers Road, approximately 1.6 km south of the proposed facility. Although it
is acknowledged that the upper limits of the proposed facility may be visible
from this perspective, the large separation distance, coupled by the vegetative
backdrop (Woondum National Park), will greatly reduce the dominance of the
proposed facility. It is considered unlikely that the proposed facility will be
discernible in the context of the wider landscape, when viewed from this
location. A monopole was selected as the preferred structure over a lattice tower
design as this type of facility can remain slim line and is less visually obtrusive
when viewed from a distance.
Proposed facility location
Figure 7.9: View looking north towards the proposed facility from Brewers Road (separation
distance of approximately 1.6 km) (Source: Google Earth)
57
Page 61
Figure 7.10 illustrates a view towards the proposed facility from the south-west
at the Cnr of Tablelands Road and Brewers Road, approximately 1.6 km from
the proposed facility.
As illustrated in Figure 7.10, the headframe of the existing Telstra facility is
visible from this perspective, however, the existing facility is well camouflaged
due to the vegetative backdrop. Similar to the existing Telstra facility, it is not
anticipated that the proposed facility will protrude the vegetated mountains in
the background.
It is acknowledged that the upper limits of the proposed facility may be visible
from the dwelling at 71 Tablelands Road. However, the large separation
distance, coupled by the vegetative backdrop (Woondum National Park), will
greatly reduce the dominance of the proposed facility. It is considered unlikely
that the proposed facility will be discernible in the context of the wider
landscape, when viewed from this location.
Existing Telstra Facility Proposed facility location
Figure 7.10: View looking north-east towards the proposed facility from Cnr
Tablelands Road and Brewers Road (separation distance of approximately 1.5 km)
58
Page 62
Figure 7.11 illustrates a view towards the proposed facility from the east along
Arthys Road, approximately 1.1 km from the proposed facility.
Whilst the proposed facility is largely screened by mature vegetation when
viewed from the road (refer to Figure 7.11), it is acknowledged that the
proposed facility may be visible from dwellings west of Arthys Road.
Although the proposed facility may be visible from dwellings West of Arthys
Road, the proposed facility will not be visually obtrusive due to the large
separation distance, and screening provided by mature vegetation in the area.
Furthermore, views toward the proposed facility from dwellings to the east will
be seen in the context of the vegetative backdrop (Woondum National Park).
Figure 7.11: View looking west towards the proposed facility from Arthys Road (separation
distance of approximately 1.1 km) (Source: Google Earth)
In conclusion, it is considered the facility has been located and designed
appropriately to minimise visual impacts on the Cooran area. Once established,
the monopole will not adversely impact upon the environment or scenic amenity
as;
59
Page 63
• The proposed facility has been located on a large, rural allotment which
allows for separation from nearby dwellings, the closest of which are
located approximately 110 m to the north-west;
• Existing mature vegetation within the subject property and adjoining
properties will help minimise the potential visual impact of the facility
when viewed from the surrounding area;
• The vegetated ridgeline will assist in providing a backdrop to a large
portion of the monopole when viewed from residential areas to the south;
• The proposed facility will be seen in context with the existing Telstra
facility, an accepted part of the landscape;
• The undulating topography of the area will assist in obscuring views
towards the facility from dwellings and roads in the area;
• Significant views within the region are protected and not adversely
impacted upon;
• A monopole was selected as the preferred structure over a lattice tower
design as this type of facility can remain slim line and is less visually
obtrusive when viewed from a distance; and
• The location enables the height of the proposed facility to be restricted to
35 m whilst still achieving coverage to all the targeted localities and
obtaining line of sight to other planned sites in the nbn™ wireless
network.
For the reasons outlined above, the proposal is considered to be appropriate for
the locality and is unlikely to result in any adverse impacts on existing visual
amenity. Telecommunication facilities, similar to power infrastructure, are an
accepted part of the landscape as they provide a necessary service and
essentially contribute to the wellbeing of areas within Cooran.
7.1.2 Design
The proposed 35 m monopole is the smallest structure capable of meeting
coverage and operational objectives.
The design and construction materials are consistent with similar monopoles
identified elsewhere in the region.
While the structure may be visible from some aspects, based on the siting the
proposed development will not result in adverse impacts on visual amenity in
the local area, or the prevailing rural and landscape form elsewhere in Cooran.
60
Page 64
7.2 Heritage
In order to determine any possible natural or cultural values of state or national
significance associated with the site, a search was conducted through the
relevant Heritage Registers (refer to Appendix D). There are no known items
of cultural, historical or environmental heritage significance located in the
vicinity of the proposal site.
7.3 Electrical Interference and Grounding of the Facility
The nbn™ fixed wireless network is licensed by the Australian Communications
and Media Authority (ACMA) for the exclusive use of the OFDMA9800 frequency
band. As nbn is the exclusive licensee of this sub-band, emissions from nbn™
equipment within the frequency band should not cause interference.
Filters will also help to ensure that each facility meets the ACMA specifications
for emission of spurious signals outside the nbn™ frequency allocations. nbn
intends to promptly investigate any interference issues that are reported.
The facility is also designed to be grounded to the relevant Australian Standards
– that is, the facility will be ‘earthed’.
7.4 Erosion, Sedimentation Control and Waste Management
All erosion and sediment control mitigation measures will be detailed in
construction plans and will comply with the Building Code of Australia and local
Council standards. In addition, contractors must comply with the ‘nbn
construction Specification' that requires contractors to undertake the necessary
erosion and sediment control measures in order to protect the surrounding
environment. On completion of the installation, the site will be restored and
reinstated to an appropriate standard. No waste which requires collection or
disposal will be generated by the operation of the facility.
7.5 Traffic Generation
After the construction period, the only traffic generated by the base station will
be that associated with maintenance vehicles. In this respect, it is estimated
that maintenance of the facility will generate only one visit per year and it will
remain unattended at all other times. The traffic generation will therefore be
minimal and not sufficient to create any adverse impacts in this regard or by
creating a demand for parking facilities.
61
Page 65
7.6 Utility Services
All services required for the ongoing operation of the base station are capable
of being provided to the facility without impacting on the supply or reliability of
these services to any existing consumers in the locality. No stormwater,
sewerage or waste management facilities are required.
7.7 Noise
Noise and vibration emissions associated with the proposed facility will be
limited to the initial construction phase. There will be some low level noise from
the ongoing operation of air conditioning equipment associated with the
equipment shelter, once installed. Noise emanating from the air conditioning
equipment is at a comparable level to a domestic air conditioning installation,
and will generally accord with the background noise levels prescribed by
Australian Standard AS1055.
7.8 Flora and Fauna
7.8.1 Vegetation Management Act 1999
The Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VMA) is the legislation that regulates
vegetation management and the clearing of native vegetation in Queensland.
The VMA, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and
Energy (DNRME), controls the rules and regulations that guide what clearing can
be done, and how it must be done to meet the requirements of the law.
The subject site is not identified as containing Regulated Vegetation (refer to
Appendix D). Therefore, the proposed development does not involve a state
interest for clearing.
7.8.2 – Nature Conservation Act 1992
The Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) provides for the conservation and
management of nature through two mechanisms:
• the declaration and management of protected areas; and
• the protection of native wildlife that is not found within a protected area.
The NC Act provides for orders to conserve, protect or manage wildlife, habitat
or areas subject to a threatening process likely to have a significant detrimental
effect.
Part 3 of the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006
outlines exemptions which apply to the clearing of protected plants. The clearing
of ‘least concern’ species are exempt under the NC Act. However, the clearing
of Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened (EVNT) species will require a
clearing permit. Areas identified at ‘high risk’ of containing EVNT species require
62
Page 66
a pre-clearing flora survey prior to confirming requirements under the NC Act
(as per Section 265 of the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management)
Regulation 2006).
The subject site, under the DES flora survey trigger mapping, is not identified
within a ‘high risk’ area (refer Appendix D). Therefore, a pre-construction flora
survey will not be required under the NC Act.
7.9 Bushfire Assessment
Risk associated with bushfire hazards represents an important consideration for
siting and development decision making. The following design features apply to
the facility:
• The facility will not increase bushfire risk, given it doesn’t involve
hazardous materials; does not emit undue heat, sparks or open flame;
• The tower has been designed to be resilient to bushfire damage;
• The proposed use will not increase the number of people living or working
in the area, does not store hazardous materials, and will not increase the
risk or impact of a bushfire;
• Power cabling will be run underground from the point of supply to the
meter board and again to the equipment cabinet reducing the risk of
weather damage that may cause malfunction;
• Cable trays will be enclosed in galvanised casing;
• The equipment cabinet and meter board are designed to resist ember
penetration.
Considering the above, the proposed development on the subject property can
be undertaken while minimising the risk associated with bushfire hazards.
7.10 Endangered Species
In order to determine any possible Protected Species associated with the site an
EPBC report was obtained (refer to Appendix D). The EPBC Act Protected
Matters Report illustrates that some protected species are present within the 1
km radius search ring; however, the proposal for a Telecommunications Facility
is not considered an activity that will have a significant impact on any threatened
or migratory species in the area.
7.11 Social and Economic Impacts
Access to fast internet is an essential service in modern society. Initially, small
to medium business customers accounted for a significant part of the demand
for broadband technology, but internet services have now been embraced by
the general public. Usage of internet services continues to widen as new
63
Page 67
technologies become progressively more affordable and accessible for the wider
community.
The proposed development should provide significantly enhanced fixed wireless
internet coverage to Cooran with coverage extending to parts of Pinbarren,
Pomona and Traverston. This is expected to be of particular benefit for dwellings
in the locality.
The new nbn™ network is designed to provide the community with access to
fast and reliable internet services. A reliable internet service is important to help
promote the economic growth of communities, and the facility is anticipated to
have significant social and economic benefits for the local community.
7.12 Public Safety
7.12.1 Compliance with Relevant Safety Standard – EME Report 1.1.2
The nbn™ fixed wireless network operates significantly within the public health
and safety standards mandated by the Australian Communication and Media
Authority (ACMA) and recommended by Australian Radiation Protection and
Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA is the Federal Government agency
incorporated under the Health and Ageing portfolio responsible for protecting
public health from the harmful effects of all forms of radiation on the
electromagnetic spectrum (both ionising and non-ionising), including
radiofrequency energy.
This facility is to be operated in compliance with the mandatory standard for
human exposure to radiofrequency EME: RPS3 Radiation Protection Standard
Maximum Exposure Levels to Radiofrequency Fields – 3kHz – 300GHz (2002).6
The safety standard was last updated in May 20167.
The Standard is designed to provide protection to all people, including vulnerable
members of the community, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. It operates by
placing a limit on the strength of the signal (or radio frequency EME) that radio
antennas can transmit. It does not impose any general public distance-based
restrictions. For this reason, radio communications antennas are found in all
environments.
nbn undertakes an individual environmental compliance report for each
proposed fixed wireless network facility, as required by the federal regulator,
the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA). This report,
6 https://www.arpansa.gov.au/regulation-and-licensing/regulatory-publications/radiation-protection-series/codes-and-
standards/rps3
7
https://www.arpansa.gov.au/regulation-and-licensing/regulatory-publications/radiation-protection-series/codes-and-
standards/rps3
64
Page 68
undertaken in keeping with the methodology stipulated by ARPANSA 8 ,
demonstrates the maximum signal strength that the facility is capable of
transmitting, and thereby demonstrates the worst-case scenario regarding radio
signal strength from the proposed facility.
The EME Report associated with this site is attached in Appendix E. The report
shows that the maximum predicted radiofrequency signal strength or EME from
the proposed facility would equate to 0.31% of the maximum exposure limit.
This is approximately 3225 times below the maximum allowable safety limit for
24-hour exposure to radiofrequency signals exposure limit (where 100% of the
limit is still considered to be safe).
All nbn™ network installations are designed and certified by qualified
professionals in accordance with all relevant Australian Standards. This ensures
that the nbn™ facility does not result in any increase in the level of risk to the
public. Moreover, all nbn™ network equipment has the following features, all of
which help to minimise the amounts of energy used and emitted:
• Dynamic/Adaptive Power Control is a network feature that automatically
adjusts the power and hence minimises EME from the facility.
• Varying the facilities transmit power to the minimal required level,
minimising EME from the network, and
• Discontinuous transmission, a feature that reduces EME emissions by
automatically switching the transmitter off when no data is being sent.
The ACMA has additionally conducted an extensive audit of the fixed wireless
network, and concludes that:
“NBN has a high level of compliance with the EME licence conditions, has a clear understanding
about EME compliance obligations and associated record-keeping requirements, has processes in
place to ensure that compliance assessments accurately reflect current environmental and site
conditions, is appropriately addressing the underlying risk of EME exposure from its base stations,
is highly cooperative and willing to work with the ACMA in relation to all aspects of its EME
compliance.”9
7.12.2 Currency of Radiofrequency Safety Standard
Australia has adopted the safety standard recommended by the World Health
Organisation (WHO). The WHO advises:
“From all evidence accumulated so far, no adverse short- or long-term health effects have been
shown to occur from the RF signals produced by base stations. Since wireless networks produce
generally lower RF signals than base stations, no adverse health effects are expected from exposure
8
https://www.arpansa.gov.au/research/surveys/environmental-electromagnetic-energy-reports/prediction-methodology
9
www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Suppliers/Product-supply-and-compliance/Priority-compliance-areas/eme-and-the-national-
broadband-network
65
Page 69
to them…. Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there
is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless
networks cause adverse health effects.”10
Public health and safety standards recommended by the WHO are based on a
significant body of peer-reviewed science that spans decades. The WHO,
ARPANSA and other international safety bodies advise that
the weight of evidence from this significant body of science shows that there are
no substantiated or established health effects from radio frequencies employed
within safety limits. The WHO states:
“In the area of biological effects and medical applications of non-ionising radiation approximately
25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that
more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in is now more extensive than for most
chemicals. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that
current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low
level electromagnetic fields.”11
The WHO also states:
“At present, speculations about potential long-term health effects cannot form the basis for the
issuing of guidelines or standards. Adding up the results of all scientific studies, the overall weight
of evidence does not indicate that electromagnetic fields cause long-term health effects such as
cancer. National and international bodies set and update standards on the basis of the latest
scientific knowledge to protect against known health effects.”12
Australian health authorities constantly review the adequacy of the safety
standard against emerging science, and recently conducted a large-scale review
of the more recent scientific literature. In June 2014 an independent, ARPANSA
assembled an expert Review Panel to undertake a detailed assessment of recent
scientific literature. ARPANSA advises that its’ Review Panel considered more
than 1,300 separate pieces of scientific literature as well as the results of 72
major panel reviews published over 10 years (2002 – 2012), and concluded the
current safety standard was up-to-date. ARPANSA states:
“Based on the assessment of the scientific evidence from January 2000 till August 2012, the Expert
Panel find that the underlying basis of the ARPANSA RF exposure Standard remains sound and
that the exposure limits in the Standard continue to provide a high degree of protection against
the known health effects of RF electromagnetic fields.” 13
10
Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Base Stations and Wireless Technologies
11
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html
12
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html
13
Review of the Radiofrequency Health Effects Research – Scientific Literature 2000 – 2012, Technical Report Series No.
164
66
Page 70
Both the WHO and the Australian Standard make repeated references to “non-
thermal” mechanisms for risk of harm, and science relating to possible non-
thermal effects have been extensively considered in the formulation and review
of the Australian Safety Standard. The Safety Standard itself states:
“The document goes well beyond simply being a technical Standard. The working group of the
Radiation Health Committee that drafted the document put an immense amount of work into
reviewing the scientific literature. Annexes to the Standard include a summary of the review of
epidemiological studies of exposure to RF and human health and research into bio-effects at lower
levels of exposure.”14
Further, ARPANSA also constantly evaluates emerging science, publishing an
EMR Literature Survey which is updated monthly, and is available on their
website.15
7.12.3 IARC Class 2B Classification
In May 2011, the WHO listed radiofrequency energy as a “Class 2B Possible
Carconigen”. Importantly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) / International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) joint statement regarding the Class 2B
listing, issued on 31 May 2011, states explicitly in its’ opening paragraph that
the listing relates to hand-held mobile phone use:
“The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk
for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.”16
The IARC statement goes on to clarify that three distinct types of exposure were
considered: (1) occupational (exposures to radar and to microwaves); (2)
environmental (exposures associated with transmission of signals for radio,
television and wireless telecommunication such as the fixed wireless network,
paging networks etc); and (3) personal exposures (associated with the use of
wireless telephones).
The IARC specified that they found “limited” evidence that suggested wireless
phone use may result in gliomas and acoustic neuromas, but “inadequate
evidence” that occupational or environmental exposures resulted in a risk to
health.
The WHO consequently issued specific precautionary advice regarding the use
of hand-held mobile devices next to the head, but did not advise the need for
any additional precaution for environmental exposures. The WHO explicitly
states:
14
www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps3.pdf
15
http://www.arpansa.gov.au/RadiationProtection/EMR/literature/index.cfm
16
www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf
67
Page 71
“Studies to date provide no indication that environmental exposure to RF fields, such as from base
stations, increases the risk of cancer or any other disease.” 17
The facility proposed, which represents an environmental exposure to
radiofrequency energy, is strictly consistent with WHO safety standards, and,
unlike personal mobile phone use, is not subject to special advice from the WHO
regarding additional precautionary measures to reduce exposure.
7.12.4 Precautionary Approach
The WHO-recommended standard that Australia has adopted has a significant
safety margin, or precautionary approach built into it. The WHO states:
“International guidelines and national safety standards for electromagnetic fields are developed
on the basis of the current scientific knowledge to ensure that the fields humans encounter are
not harmful to health. To compensate uncertainties in knowledge (due, for example, to
experimental errors, extrapolation from animals to humans, or statistical uncertainty), large safety
factors are incorporated into the exposure limits.”18
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (ARPANSA)
reiterates that the safety standard has a precautionary level already built into
the standard:
“Significant safety factors are incorporated into the exposure limits – that is, the limits are set well
below the level at which adverse health effects are known to occur.” 19
By operating the fixed wireless network at maximum signal strengths that are
significantly below that safety standard, nbn has additionally applied a
precautionary approach to the operation of its network, in keeping with the
expectations of the Standard, which defines a valid precautionary approach as
follows:
“Minimising, as appropriate, RF exposure which is unnecessary or incidental to achievement of
service objectives or process requirements, provided this can be readily achieved at reasonable
expense. Any such precautionary measures should follow good engineering practice and relevant
codes of practice. The incorporation of arbitrary additional safety factors beyond the exposure
limits of this Standard is not supported.” 20
The proposed facility reflects this requirement. ARPANSA states:
“Similarly, the ACIF Code does not specify arbitrary distances at which infrastructure must be
sited from community sensitive locations, because arbitrary distances do not necessarily reflect a
precautionary approach. In fact, infrastructure sited further from a community sensitive area may
need to operate at a higher power and may result in higher EME exposures in that sensitive area.
17
www.who.int/features/qa/30/en/
18
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html
19
http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps3_qa.pdf
20
Australian Radiation Protection Standard, Maximum Exposure Levels to Radiofrequency Fields 3kHz to 300GHz
68
Page 72
Furthermore, it must be remembered that evidence gathered by ARPANSA confirms that
exposure levels in public areas are typically hundreds or thousands of times less than the exposure
limit set by the ACMA”.21
Further, the WHO also cautions against arbitrary, non-scientific approaches as
follows:
“If regulatory authorities have adopted health-based guidelines but, because of public concerns,
would like to introduce additional precautionary measures to reduce exposure to RF fields, they
should not undermine the science base of the guidelines by incorporating arbitrary additional
safety factors into the exposure limits.”22
7.12.5 Access
The proposed facility will have restrictions aimed at preventing public access,
including a secured compound fence with a locked gate and warning signs placed
around the facility.
7.13 The Public Interest and the Benefits of Telecommunications
The proposed nbn™ facility is expected to have significant benefit for residents
in Cooran. nbn believes that the public interest would be served by approval of
the proposal, given benefits for enhanced internet coverage in the area. The
facility is expected to have benefits for local residents and businesses within the
district.
7.13.1 Other Benefits of Reliable Broadband Services
There are numerous other benefits of telecommunications connectivity, as
follows:23
• There are many potential educational benefits justifying the
implementation of nbn™. Curriculum and data sharing, increased
availability and accessibility of research materials, and virtual classroom
environments are good examples. Such elements are particularly
beneficial within a tertiary education context.
• Businesses can, through internet usage, increase efficiency through time,
resource and monetary savings. Improved internet services effectively
remove physical distance and travel time as a barrier to business.
• Improvements to internet services may also be of benefit for local
employees, by enabling telecommuting and home business. The
21
ARPANSA Fact Sheet No. 6
22
www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/
23
End user experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ depends on some factors outside
nbn control like the end user’s equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s service
providers designs its network.
69
Page 73
telecommuting trend is heavily reliant on access to fast internet services,
and is anticipated to continually increase in popularity.
The public benefits of access to fast internet have been widely acknowledged for
many years. Reliable internet access is now more than ever an integral
component of daily life, so much so that its absence is considered a social
disadvantage.
70
Page 74
8. CONCLUSION
The proposed nbn™ network facility, comprising a 35 m monopole, five (5) x
1.077 m antennas, one (1) x transmission dish and ancillary equipment has
been sited in the most appropriate location given the context of the local area
and service objective – providing broadband services to Cooran as well as parts
of Pinbarren, Pomona and Traverston.
The facility has been strategically sited and designed to minimise visibility within
the surrounding environment as much as practicable. The visual impact of the
development on the surrounding area has been assessed and given the siting
and design, the proposal is considered unlikely to cause any significant harm to
the visual amenity or scenic value of the area. Although the monopole would be
visible at varying degrees depending on the line of site of the viewer, negative
impacts on visual amenity are not deemed to be significant.
Accordingly, it is considered that the visual impact of the proposal is acceptable
having had full regard to the context of the locality, the nature of the design
employed, and the coverage benefits deriving from the installation.
The proposal is also consistent with the Desired Environmental Outcomes and
relevant Codes of The Noosa Plan. It is considered that the proposal will provide
an important community benefit to Cooran and the wider Noosa Council Local
Government Area providing service to local residents and businesses.
We respectfully request that Council considers the limited impacts and expected
benefits of this proposed facility in assessing this Development Application.
71
Page 75
9. APPENDIX
72
[OCR of page images]
9.APPENDIX
72
Page 76
Appendix A - Proposal Plans
73
[OCR of page images]
Appendix A - Proposal Plans
73
Page 77
Client:
DATE OF ISSUE
DRAWING PACKAGE VERSION
GENERAL SITE CODE: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
Client:
COORAN
ERICSSON
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
ELECTRICAL
COORAN
Client:
QLD 4569
RF AND TX CONFIGURATIONS
RFNSA No: 4569003 Project:
NATIONAL BROADBAND
STRUCTURAL NETWORK
SITE No: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
COORAN
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
COORAN
QLD 4569
CIVIL PRELIMINARY
MONOPOLE DOCUMENTATION
Rev Date Revision Details
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873
LEASE
DESIGNER: MH
DISTRIBUTION PROJECT SUMMARY CHECKED:
APPROVED:
JR
LS
Drawing Title:
COVER SHEET
Drawing No. Revision
4POM-51-45-CRNA-T1 03
COPYRIGHT © NBN Co LIMITED ABN 86 136 533 741 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VERSION 10 - SEPT 2011
Page 78
Client:
Client:
ERICSSON
Client:
Project:
NATIONAL BROADBAND
NETWORK
SITE No: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
COORAN
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
COORAN
QLD 4569
PRELIMINARY
Rev Date Revision Details
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873
DESIGNER: MH
CHECKED: JR
APPROVED: LS
Drawing Title:
SITE SPECIFIC
NOTES
Drawing No. Revision
4POM-51-45-CRNA-C1 03
COPYRIGHT © NBN Co LIMITED ABN 86 136 533 741 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VERSION 10 - SEPT 2011
Page 79
Client:
SITE LOCATION
Client:
ERICSSON
Client:
COPYRIGHT © OPENSTREETMAP CONTRIBUTORS, CC BY-SA
http://www.openstreetmap.org
http://creativecommons.org/licences/by-sa/2.0/
Use of this image is subject to the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
licence, the full licence of which can be accessed at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
Project:
NATIONAL BROADBAND
SITE CO-ORDINATES NETWORK
SITE No: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
MONOPOLE LOCATION COORAN
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
COORAN
QLD 4569
PRELIMINARY
Rev Date Revision Details
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873
DESIGNER: MH
CHECKED: JR
APPROVED: LS
Drawing Title:
OVERALL
SITE PLAN
Drawing No. Revision
4POM-51-45-CRNA-C2 03
COPYRIGHT © NBN Co LIMITED ABN 86 136 533 741 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VERSION 10 - SEPT 2011
Page 80
Client:
Client:
ERICSSON
Client:
Project:
NATIONAL BROADBAND
NETWORK
SITE No: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
COORAN
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
COORAN
QLD 4569
PRELIMINARY
Rev Date Revision Details
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873
DESIGNER: MH
CHECKED: JR
APPROVED: LS
Drawing Title:
SITE SETOUT
PLAN
Drawing No. Revision
4POM-51-45-CRNA-C3 03
COPYRIGHT © NBN Co LIMITED ABN 86 136 533 741 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VERSION 10 - SEPT 2011
Page 81
Client:
Client:
ERICSSON
Client:
Project:
NATIONAL BROADBAND
NETWORK
SITE No: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
COORAN
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
COORAN
QLD 4569
PRELIMINARY
Rev Date Revision Details
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873
DESIGNER: MH
CHECKED: JR
APPROVED: LS
Drawing Title:
SITE ELEVATION
AND DETAILS
Drawing No. Revision
4POM-51-45-CRNA-C4 03
COPYRIGHT © NBN Co LIMITED ABN 86 136 533 741 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VERSION 10 - SEPT 2011
Page 82
Client:
Client:
ERICSSON
Client:
Project:
NATIONAL BROADBAND
NETWORK
SITE No: 4POM-51-45-CRNA
COORAN
244 TABLELANDS ROAD
COORAN
QLD 4569
PRELIMINARY
Rev Date Revision Details
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873
DESIGNER: MH
CHECKED: JR
APPROVED: LS
Drawing Title:
NBN ANTENNA
CONFIGURATION
& SETOUT PLAN
Drawing No. Revision
4POM-51-45-CRNA-A1 03
COPYRIGHT © NBN Co LIMITED ABN 86 136 533 741 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VERSION 10 - SEPT 2011
Page 83
Appendix B - Copy of Title
74
[OCR of page images]
Appendix B - Copy of Title
74
Page 84
CURRENT TITLE SEARCH
DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND MINES, QUEENSLAND
Request No: 28055154
Search Date: 26/02/2018 10:02 Title Reference: 50603616
Date Created: 04/04/2006
Previous Title: 50361747
REGISTERED OWNER Interest
Dealing No: 717443816 12/08/2016
BEATE CZAMANSKA 1/2
GABRIELLE MARINA BEATE SEEGER 1/2
AS TENANTS IN COMMON
ESTATE AND LAND
Estate in Fee Simple
LOT 22 SURVEY PLAN 148684
Local Government: NOOSA
EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES AND INTERESTS
1. Rights and interests reserved to the Crown by
Deed of Grant No. 11700221 (POR 69V)
(POR 123V)
2. MORTGAGE No 717525854 20/09/2016 at 15:37
MCU LIMITED A.C.N. 087 650 995
ADMINISTRATIVE ADVICES - NIL
UNREGISTERED DEALINGS - NIL
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ISSUED - Yes 22/09/2016 717525858 Certificate No. 1
Corrections have occurred - Refer to Historical Search
Caution - Charges do not necessarily appear in order of priority
** End of Current Title Search **
COPYRIGHT THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND (DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND MINES) [2018]
Requested By: D-ENQ INFOTRACK PTY LIMITED
Page 1/1
Page 85
Appendix C - Code Assessment
75
[OCR of page images]
Appendix C - Code Assessment
75
Page 86
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Table 1 – Compliance with the Specific Outcomes and Probable Solutions for the Mary River Catchment Locality
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Effects of use
Amenity No solution provided. Complies.
O1 Uses are located, designed and The proposed facility will not have a significant
operated to avoid significant adverse adverse impact on light, air quality, noise, or
changes to the light, air quality, accessibility.
noise, accessibility or other Access will be gained off Tablelands Road via an
conditions enjoyed by users of existing access track. Once installed, the proposal will
associated, adjoining or nearby not generate a significant volume of traffic. As
uses. maintenance is required 3-4 times annually, it will not
affect the access or increase traffic flows to the site,
which is privately owned.
As previously mentioned in Section 7.1 of this report,
due consideration has been given to the merits of the
selected site, which offers significant physical
separation to potentially sensitive land uses and
extensive screening will be afforded by the mature
vegetation located on-site and in the surrounding
area.
Scenic Amenity No solution provided. Complies.
O2 Important scenic vistas including Important scenic vistas including those to and from
those to and from Mt Cooroora, Mt Mt Cooroora, Mt Pinbarren and Mt Cooran will remain
Pinbarren and Mt Cooran are protected and uninterrupted. Mature vegetation
protected and uninterrupted to (approximately 15-18 m in height) will effectively
maintain aesthetic and cultural values screen the proposed facility when viewed from nearby
of the natural landscape. areas and also act as a backdrop to the facility when
viewed from further afield, such as from locations
Page 87
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
within the Cooran township. The location of the
proposed facility on sloping topography will also
contribute to maintaining visual amenity. Please refer
to the visual assessment contained in Section 7.1 of
the development application.
O3 The function of, and visual No solution provided. Complies.
amenity and character surrounding
The function of, and visual amenity and character
the, major road network, including
surrounding the, major road networks will not be
Reserve Street, Summit Street,
compromised as a result of the development. Please
Pomona–Kin Kin Road, Louis Bazzo
refer to the visual assessment contained in Section
Drive, Greenridge–Pinbarren Road
7.1 of the development application.
and Traveston– Cooran Road is
protected and enhanced.
Built Form
Density No solution provided. Not applicable.
O4 The density of development within The proposed facility is not a residential development
the site area— and will not increase the density of the surrounding
a) is compatible with surrounding area.
development; and
b) does not exceed—
i. for the Semi-Attached
Housing Zone— 1
dwelling unit per
500m2 of site area;
and
ii. for the Village Mix
Page 88
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Zone— 1 dwelling unit
per lot; and
iii. for the Community
Services Zone within
the town of Pomona—
320 persons per
hectare exclusively for
the purposes of
Residential Aged Care
and 160 persons per
hectare for any other
form of Retirement &
Special needs housing;
and
c) has a low site impact to
enhance the opportunity to
maintain natural site
characteristics, including
native vegetation and natural
landforms.
Height S5.1 Buildings and other structures have No see O5.
a maximum building height of—
O5 Buildings and other structures—
The proposed development is located within the Rural
a) are low rise and present a building a) if in the Rural or Rural Settlement Zone and will comprise a monopole structure of 35 m
height consistent with structures on Zone—8m, or 9m where the pitched roof in height and will not comply with maximum structure
adjoining and surrounding premises; but no other part of the building or heights specified in S5.1 (a).
b) do not exceed a maximum height structure exceeds 8m; or
of 2 storeys; Notwithstanding this, the use is considered to be
b) if in the Industry Zone—10m
c) do not visually dominate the street, compatible with the surrounding locality and,
surrounding spaces or the existing
Page 89
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
skyline; c) in all other zones—8m. therefore complies with Specific Outcome O5 for the
d) preserve the amenity of following reasons:
surrounding land, including existing • The proposed facility has been located on a
sunlight to neighbouring properties; large, rural allotment which allows for
e) respect the scale of surrounding separation from nearby dwellings, the closest
vegetation; and of which is located approximately 110 m to the
f) ensure that development responds north-west;
to the topography and minimises cut • Existing mature vegetation within the subject
and fill (eg. by stepping down the property and adjoining properties will help
slope or using suspended floor minimise the potential visual impact of the
construction). facility when viewed from the surrounding
area;
• The vegetated ridgeline will assist in
backdropping the proposed facility when
viewed from the surrounding area;
• The proposed facility will be seen in context
with the existing Telstra facility, an accepted
part of the landscape;
• The undulating topography of the area will
assist in obscuring views towards the facility
from dwellings and roads in the area;
• Significant views within the region are
protected and not adversely impacted upon;
• A monopole was selected as the preferred
structure over a lattice tower design as this
type of facility can remain slim line and is less
Page 90
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
visually obtrusive when viewed from a
distance; and
• The location enables the height of the
proposed facility to be restricted to 35 m whilst
still achieving coverage to all the targeted
localities and obtaining line of sight to other
planned sites in the nbn™ wireless network.
For further information, please refer to the visual
assessment contained in Section 7.1 of the
development application.
For these reasons, the height of the facility is
considered to comply with O5.
Setbacks S6.1 Buildings and structures comply Complies.
O6 Buildings and other structures with the setbacks specified in Schedule
The proposed development meets the minimum
are appropriately designed and sited 1 - Minimum Boundary Setbacks.
setback requirements for development in the Rural
to— Zone, as per Schedule 1 – Minimum Boundary
a) provide amenity for users of the Setbacks of The Noosa Plan.
premises as well as preserve the
visual and acoustic amenity of
adjoining and nearby land uses;
b) preserve any existing vegetation
that will buffer the proposed building
from adjoining uses;
c) allow for landscaping to be
provided between buildings; and
d) maintain the visual continuity and
Page 91
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
pattern of buildings and landscape
elements within the street.
Site cover & gross floor area & No solution provided. Not Applicable.
plot ratio
The proposed facility is not a building or roofed
O7 The site cover, gross floor area structure.
and plot ratio of buildings and other
roofed structures—
a) results in a building scale that is
compatible with surrounding
development;
b) does not present an appearance of
bulk to adjacent properties, roads or
other areas in the vicinity of the site;
c) maximises the retention of existing
vegetation and allows for soft
landscaping between buildings;
d) allows for adequate area at ground
level for outdoor recreation,
entertainment, clothes drying and
other site facilities; and
e) facilitates onsite stormwater
management and vehicular access.
O8 Site cover does not exceed— No solution provided. Not applicable.
a) for a class 1 or class 10a structure
Page 92
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
within the Detached Housing Zone, — The proposed facility is not located within a Detached
i.i for a single storey building - 50%; Housing Zone or Semi-Attached Housing Zone.
or
ii.ii for a building of 2 or more storeys
- 50% on the ground floor and 30%
for the upper storey(s), or 40% for all
storeys for a building of 2 or more
storeys;
b) for other classes within the
Detached House Zone - 40%; or
c) for the Semi-Attached Housing
Zone–40%.
O9 For Multiple housing Type 2 No solution provided. Not applicable
buildings have a maximum plot ratio
The proposed development does not consist of a
of 0.45:1.
dwelling.
O10 For Multiple housing Type 3, No solution provided. Not applicable
Visitor accommodation Type 4 and
The proposed development does not consist of a
the accommodation unit component
dwelling.
of an Entertainment and dining
business Type 3— the maximum
gross floor area is equivalent to the
maximum allowable population in
persons multiplied by 40m2.
O11 For the Village Mix Zone, plot No solution provided. Not applicable.
ratio does not exceed 1.0:1.
The proposed facility is not located within the Village
Mix Zone.
Page 93
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Flooding and drainage S12.1 For new buildings or structures or Not Applicable.
O12 Buildings and other works are additions of more than 50m2 gross floor
The proposed facility is not located within a flood
designed and sited to— area to an existing building or structure,
hazard area. Notwithstanding this, the relatively small
floor levels for habitable rooms are—
a) provide flood free access to scale of the development (120 m2 compound) will not
premises and flood free habitable a) for areas where minimum floor exacerbate flooding or ponding on the site or on
areas; levels are available—not less than nearby land. Furthermore, the proposal is for a non-
the specified level; habitable use and will not increase the number of
b) allow only minor, short term and
b) for areas where flood modelling is people living or working on-site. Any excavated
infrequent flooding of non-habitable
available—a minimum of 500mm material will be distributed across the site in a location
areas;
above the modelled flood level; that will not worsen the flood hazard on the site or
c) ensure carparking areas can be
and surrounding premises.
adequately drained; c) for areas where flood modelling is
d) ensure drainage does not not available, a minimum of The proposal will not include car parking and will only
adversely impact upon other 500mm above the highest known require maintenance 3-4 times annually.
premises; and flood level;
e) ensure filling or excavation does AND
not adversely impact upon other
premises by—
S12.2 Where Council infrastructure is
i. causing ponding on the site or available—
nearby land;
a) any drainage (from buildings and
ii. increasing flooding, which land) flows to that infrastructure;
adversely affects the safety or use of
and
any land upstream and downstream; b) the infrastructure has the
and
capacity to accept any additional
iii. adversely affecting the flow of loading.
water in any overland flow path.
AND
Page 94
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
S12.3 Car parking and maneuvering
areas are constructed at a level that
permits the parking area to drain from
the site by gravity means, without the
need for mechanical pumping; or
S12.4 Basements for residential uses
have flood immunity above the Q100
where alternative means to mechanical
pumping are used to achieve such
immunity; or
S12.5 Basements for non-residential
uses have flood immunity above the
Q100 that may be achieved by means of
mechanical pumping only where the
mechanical feature is installed with
adequate holding tanks and an
alternative back up power source.
Sloping sites S13.1 Buildings are of split level design Complies.
O13 On sloping sites, buildings and that step down the slope or have a
structures are designed to maximise suspended floor construction; The proposed compound area is to be located on land
the use of natural slope and minimise mapped as ‘Landslide Hazard Area’. The proposed
AND
the need for cut and fill. facility will be designed to minimise the need for cut
S13.2 Cut or fill is less than 2m in depth; and fill.
AND Further geo-technical investigations will be conducted
to determine the extent of filling, excavation and the
S13.3 The distance between the ground
Page 95
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
and the lowest part of the floor of the appropriate stabilisation measures. Filling and
building does not exceed 3m. excavation will not result in land instability.
Roof form S14.1 With the exception of Industrial Not applicable.
O14 Roof forms— buildings, the main roof of the building
a) contribute positively to the local has a roof pitch no less than 5 degrees The proposed development does not involve a
skyline; and has minimum 600mm eaves to at building.
b) complement the low rise character least 75% of the perimeter of the
of the locality; building;
c) use simple traditional roof designs,
such as hipped, gabled and skillion; AND
and
d) do not create opportunities for S14.2 Buildings and structures do not
residents to overlook the private include rooftop terraces.
open space areas of neighbouring
properties.
Environment, Conservation and Recreation
Environment and cultural No solution provided. Complies.
heritage values
O15 There are no significant adverse It is acknowledged that some vegetation clearing is
effects on biodiversity, native required for the compound area, construction area
vegetation, native fauna habitat, and access track. The proposed facility has been
landscape quality, water quality or intentionally sited on a property which contains dense
cultural heritage values, including vegetation in order to utilise natural screening
those related to— benefits. To effectively integrate the facility with the
a) changes to natural drainage; natural environment, vegetation clearing is
necessary.
Page 96
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
b) disturbance of the remnant
vegetation or wetland However, clearing will be minimal as the proposed
systems; facility has been deliberately located in an area largely
c) management of landslide and cleared of mature vegetation. All clearing activities
fire risk; will be undertaken in accordance with nbn
d) erosion and the transport of construction management plans, including measures
sediments off site; to avoid impacts to fauna species, and vegetation
e) unmanaged public access; outside of the clearing footprint. All other vegetation
f) effluent disposal; on site will be maintained for screening purposes, and
g) changes to fauna habitat and clearing of vegetation will only be conducted where
behaviour; and necessary.
h) disturbance of buildings and
features, including natural The proposed compound will occupy a relatively
features of cultural heritage small, mostly pervious area (approximately 120 m2)
significance. and will not result in a significant increase in
stormwater runoff from the site, thereby protecting
the water quality of nearby watercourses and
streams. Furthermore, the proposed facility is non-
habitable and does not produce waste.
The proposed development is considered to be of a
low intensity, of non-urban nature and compatible
with the nature of the constraints present on the land.
The proposed development is designed and sited to
sensitively respond to the physical characteristics of
the site including steep land and fire hazard.
Being a non-sensitive use, the proposed development
is considered to be compatible with the level of risk
Page 97
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
associated with the bushfire hazard. The following
design features apply:
• No buildings are proposed and the subject
development is not considered to be a
habitable use. Therefore, the facility will not
result in an increase in the number of people
living, working or congregating in the area;
• The facility will not increase bushfire risk,
given it doesn’t involve hazardous materials;
does not emit undue heat, sparks or open
flame;
• The tower has been designed to be resilient to
bushfire damage; and
• An appropriate concrete area will surround the
facility and provide suitable distance from
hazardous vegetation.
Open space network S16.1 Open space corridors and existing Not applicable.
O16 An integrated open space native vegetation in areas indicated in
network is established, enhanced and Schedule 5 – Map 4 are protected from The subject site is located outside of open space
fragmentation and encroachment by
protected throughout the locality to— corridors and is not located within the existing native
development.
a) provide for both passive and vegetation area as outlined on Map 3 Open Space
active recreational pursuits; Networks. Additionally, the subject site is not shown
b) provide connectivity for on the Heritage Overlay as being located within close
pedestrians, cyclists, and proximity to any heritage sites or character areas, nor
horse riders; is the subject site identified on the Pathways and
c) provide habitat connectivity Trunk Network Infrastructure Map as being located
for wildlife; within proximity of any pathways or bike paths.
Page 98
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
d) protect watercourses and
drainage lines;
e) protect vegetation on steep
slopes; and
f) form a scenic backdrop for
residential development.
Noosa Trail Network S17.1 No solution provided. Not applicable.
O17 A comprehensive network of
bridle trails and pedestrian and S18.1 Development includes linkages to The subject site is not identified on the Noosa Trail
bicycle linkages is established, or between existing or future components Network Map as being located adjacent or within
enhanced and protected of the Noosa Trail Network, as indicated proximity to a current or future identified trail
incorporating road reserves, State in Schedule 5 – Map 3; network.
forests, Council owned land and
private lands consistent with the AND
lifestyle and outdoor recreation
needs of the Shire’s residents and S18.2 Development does not have an
visitors; adverse impact on the access functions of
the Noosa Trail Network, as indicated in
AND Schedule 5 – Map 3, including severing of
existing or future linkages; or
O18 Existing and future pedestrian,
bridle trail or bicycle linkages are S18.3 Alternative linkages to those
retained as part of a Shire wide trail indicated in Schedule 5 – Map 3 are
network. provided;
AND
Page 99
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
S18.4 Linkages to the Noosa Trails
Network are designed and constructed in
accordance with—
a) Australian Standard 2156.1
Walking Tracks Part 1:
Classification and Signage to a
minimum of a Class 4 Standard;
and
b) Australian Standard 2156.2
Walking Tracks Part 2.
Infrastructure Design.
Pedestrian and bicycle pathways S19.1 Pedestrian and bicycle pathways Not applicable.
O19 Safe and convenient pedestrian are provided and retained where The subject site is not located adjacent to an
and bicycle pathways are provided indicated in the Priority Infrastructure identified pedestrian and/or bike path under Schedule
and retained between and around Plan in Part 15; 5 Map 2.
key destinations including—
a) within Pomona, including the AND
Pomona State Primary School,
Pomona State High School, S19.2 Contributions toward pedestrian
the town centre, showgrounds and bicycle pathways are provided in
and sport and recreation accordance with the Priority
facilities; and Infrastructure Plan in Part 15.
b) within Cooran, including
Cooran State Primary School,
sporting and associated
facilities at Railway Road and
Bridge Street, and the village
centre.
Page 100
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Rural Zone
Consistent uses No solution provided. Does not comply.
O63 The following defined uses and
use classes are consistent uses and While the proposed use (Infrastructure Use) is not
are located in the Rural Zone— featured within the list of consistent uses, the
proposed fixed wireless facility will support the uses
a) All Agricultural Uses;
compatible within the Rural Zone.
b) Commercial business Type 3;
c) Home-based business;
With regards to rural zoning, nbn highlights that the
d) Industrial business Type 3;
vast majority of nbn fixed wireless facilities across
e) Retail business Type 1 if a
Australia are placed in rural or rural residential zones.
roadside stall;
More than 1,800 fixed wireless facilities are already
f) Retail business Type 3;
operating across Australia, and these are
g) Emergency service Type 2;
predominantly if not exclusively located in rural or
h) Open space Type 2;
rural residential settings.
i) Detached house;
j) Community residence;
nbn advises that the location of communications
k) Ancillary dwelling unit; and
infrastructure to service rural and regional
l) Visitor accommodation Types
communities is nowadays relatively commonplace.
1, 2 or 3.
nbn respectfully maintains that infrastructure
designed to equitably deliver modern services to rural
and rural residential communities can be considered
compatible with rural living.
While it is acknowledged that the proposed facility will
be an addition to the area, the proposed facility has
been integrated with the existing landscape and
character of the Cooran area as much as practicable
for the following reasons:
Page 101
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
• The proposed facility has been located on a
large, rural allotment which allows for
separation from nearby dwellings, the closest
of which is located approximately 110 m to the
north-west;
• Existing mature vegetation within the subject
property and adjoining properties will help
minimise the potential visual impact of the
facility when viewed from the surrounding
area;
• The vegetated ridgeline will assist in
backdropping the proposed facility when
viewed from the surrounding area;
• The proposed facility will be seen in context
with the existing Telstra facility, an accepted
part of the landscape;
• The undulating topography of the area will
assist in obscuring views towards the facility
from dwellings and roads in the area;
• Significant views within the region are
protected and not adversely impacted upon;
• A monopole was selected as the preferred
structure over a lattice tower design as this
type of facility can remain slim line and is less
visually obtrusive when viewed from a
distance; and
Page 102
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
• The location enables the height of the
proposed facility to be restricted to 35 m whilst
still achieving coverage to all the targeted
localities and obtaining line of sight to other
planned sites in the nbn™ wireless network.
Inconsistent uses No solution provided. Complies.
O64 The following defined uses and
use classes are inconsistent uses and The proposed development is for an inconsistent use.
are not located in the Rural Zone— Refer to response above.
a) Commercial business Types 1
or 2;
b) Entertainment and dining
business;
c) Industrial business Type 1;
d) Retail business Type 1 if not a
roadside stall
e) Retail business Types 2, 4, 5,
6 or 7;
f) Education;
g) Emergency service Type 1;
h) Open space Type 1;
i) Wellbeing;
j) All Infrastructure Uses;
k) Multiple housing; and
l) Visitor accommodation Type 4
Page 103
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Sloping sites & ridgelines S65.1 Buildings and associated Complies.
accessways are not constructed on land
O65 Development on sloping sites— with a slope greater than 1 in 4 (25%); The proposed facility has been located along a
a) is responsive to the natural ridgeline to maximise the ground elevation.
topography of the site and AND Notwithstanding this, the subject site has been
minimises the need for cut located in a relatively flat part of the subject site.
and fill (eg. by stepping down S66.1 Buildings present no more than 2
the site or using suspended storeys at any one point when viewed Nevertheless, further geo-technical investigations will
floor construction); from the road or other public space; be conducted to determine the extent of filling,
b) does not visually dominate excavation and the appropriate stabilisation
the hill slope or interrupt the AND measures. Filling and excavation will not result in land
skyline; instability.
c) is integrated with the natural S66.2 On properties with a slope
site characteristics including exceeding 1 in 4 (25%) or located on The proposed facility will not visually dominate the hill
vegetation; ridgelines visible from the major road slope or interrupt the skyline due to screening
network the roofline of buildings should provided by mature vegetation in the area. Where the
AND not protrude above the ridgeline or tree proposed facility may be visible from the surrounding
canopy. area, views toward the proposed facility will be seen
O66 The landscape character and up against a vegetative backdrop (Woondum National
visual amenity quality of hill slopes Park).
and ridgelines are retained.
Incompatible uses No solution provided. Not applicable.
O67 New dwelling units are to The proposed development is not for a new dwelling
provide for sufficient buffer area unit.
between the premises and existing
Industrial business uses on other
Page 104
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
premises to avoid any potential
adverse amenity impacts on
residents.
Open space, environment and conservation
Environmental values No solution provided. Complies.
O68 The environmental values of
land are protected from adverse It is acknowledged that some vegetation clearing is
impacts as a consequence of required for the compound area, construction area
development on or adjacent to that and access track. The proposed facility has been
land. intentionally sited on a property which contains dense
vegetation in order to utilise natural screening
benefits. Furthermore, the subject site has been
located outside of areas mapped as containing areas
of environmental importance.
Clearing will be minimal as the proposed facility has
been located in an area largely void of mature
vegetation.
All clearing activities will be undertaken in accordance
with nbn construction management plans, including
measures to avoid impacts to fauna species, and
vegetation outside of the clearing footprint. All other
vegetation on site will be maintained for screening
purposes, and clearing of vegetation will only be
conducted where necessary.
The proposed facility is located approximately 120 m
north of the closest known waterway (Falls Creek).
Page 105
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Given the relatively small scale of the earthworks
required to install the proposed facility and the
setback from this nearest waterway, it is not likely
that there will be any notable impacts on local
waterways and wetland areas due to run off.
Page 106
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Table 2 – Compliance with the Specific Outcomes and Probable Solutions of the Infrastructure Uses Code
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Effects of use
Location and siting S1.1 For Installations and Towers, where No see O1.
practicable, infrastructure is —
O1 The location and siting of Access to the subject site will be via the existing
a) co-located with existing Infrastructure
Infrastructure Uses— access point from Tablelands Road. Sufficient parking
Uses; or
a) maximises accessibility for and manoeuvring area is available on site to
b) located on or within an existing
maintenance purposes; and accommodate vehicles undertaking maintenance to
building;
b) does not disrupt access for other the facility.
purposes. AND While nbn seeks to co-locate new facilities with
existing structures, no opportunities were identified
S1.2 Easements for access to during the candidate selection that would offer
Infrastructure Uses are granted to the appropriate separation to potentially sensitive uses
Council or the beneficiary of the easement and meet the coverage objectives to serve the
to ensure suitable access can be gained, targeted dwellings. Please refer to Section 3.3.1 of
where practicable. the development application for more information. As
such, a new facility is proposed and will be located to
provide separation from existing dwellings in the area
and sited in a location that benefits from vegetation
screening.
For these reasons, the proposal is considered to
comply with Specific Outcome O1.
Separation from incompatible No solution provided. Complies.
uses
The proposed facility is located in close proximity to
O2 Sufficient separation distance is
several neighbouring properties (closest of which is
provided between Infrastructure
set back approximately 110 m). However, as
Uses and incompatible uses on the
indicated in Section 7.1 of the planning report,
same site and neighbouring
existing mature vegetation located in the surrounding
premises to maintain amenity for
Page 107
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
neighbouring uses. area will effectively screen neighbouring dwellings. In
addition, mature vegetation will also act as a
backdrop to the proposed facility when viewed from
further afield, such as locations within the Cooran
township.
As such, the proposal meets the outcomes sought in
Specific Outcome O2.
O3 Vehicular access to the site of the S3.1. Vehicle access to the infrastructure Complies.
Infrastructure Use does not is gained from roads other than local The proposed facility will be accessed from an existing
adversely impact on residential residential streets to maintain residential driveway off Tablelands Road. Once installed and
amenity. amenity. operational, the facility will only require maintenance
3-4 times per year and is unlikely to have a significant
impact on the residential amenity of the surrounding
area.
For these reasons, the proposal is considered to
comply with Specific Outcome O3.
Building siting and design No solution provided. Complies.
O4 The siting and design of buildings As mentioned in response to O3, the nbn compound
or other structures reflects and is has been intentionally sited away from potentially
compatible with the setting and sensitive uses and near existing mature vegetation
character of the locality in which the that will help integrate the slimline monopole design
Infrastructure Use is located, with the surrounding landscape. The monopole will be
including the use of sympathetic finished with a non-reflective factory, which will assist
colour schemes. in blending the facility into its surroundings. nbn will
consider painting the facility on Council’s request.
Page 108
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Accordingly, the proposal is considered compliant with
Specific Outcome O4.
Safety and security S5.1 For Installations and Towers—the Complies.
O5 Infrastructure Uses are secure use is fenced with security fencing; The lease area for the facility will be surrounded by a
and potential impacts from AND 2.4 m high chain link fence and will prevent public
vandalism are minimised. S5.2 For other Infrastructure Uses—no access to any unauthorised personnel, which is
probable solution. consistent with the outcomes sought in Probable
Outcome O5.
Artificial lighting S6.1 Lighting associated with the use is Not Applicable.
O6 The generation of spill light by designed, installed, operated and The facility will not require the installation of lighting.
development, which gives rise to maintained in accordance with Section 3
annoyance, discomfort, distraction of AS4282 The Control of the Obtrusive
or a reduction in the ability to see Effects of Outdoor Lighting.
essential information, is avoided.
Mechanical plant and equipment S7.1 Plant and equipment are— Not applicable.
O7 Mechanical plant and equipment a) located more than 2m from any The proposed development is not for mechanical plant
(including air conditioning property boundary; and and equipment.
equipment) are— b) screened by dense vegetation or
a) positioned to minimise adverse fencing (i.e. 1.5m wide vegetated buffer
impacts on the amenity of any area);
residential premises;
b) designed and positioned to OR
visually integrate with the building
and roof design; and
Page 109
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
c) appropriately screened. S7.2 Plant and equipment are located
within a building.
Environment & heritage values No solution provided. Complies.
O8 There are no significant adverse It is acknowledged that some vegetation clearing is
effects on the biodiversity, natural required for the compound area, construction area
vegetation, native wildlife, habitats, and access track. The proposed facility has been
landscape quality, water quality or intentionally sited on a property which contains dense
heritage values, including those vegetation in order to utilise natural screening
related to— benefits. Furthermore, the subject site has been
a) changes to natural drainage; located outside of areas mapped as containing areas
b) disturbance to any of the of environmental importance.
wetland systems;
c) management of landslide and Clearing will be minimal as the proposed facility has
fire risk; been located in an area largely void of mature
d) erosion and the transport of vegetation.
sediments off-site;
e) unmanaged public access;
All clearing activities will be undertaken in accordance
f) effluent disposal;
g) changes to fauna habitat and with nbn construction management plans, including
measures to avoid impacts to fauna species, and
behaviour; and
h) disturbance of buildings and vegetation outside of the clearing footprint. All other
vegetation on site will be maintained for screening
features, including natural
features, of heritage purposes, and clearing of vegetation will only be
conducted where necessary.
significance.
The proposed facility is located approximately 120 m
north of the closest known waterway (Falls Creek).
Given the relatively small scale of the earthworks
Page 110
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
required to install the proposed facility and the setback
from this nearest waterway, it is not likely that there
will be any notable impacts on local waterways and
wetland areas due to run off.
Furthermore, the facility will not cause sediment run-
off, impact on effluent disposal or increase the risk of
fire.
There is no significant cultural heritage values present
on the subject site.
Therefore, the proposal is consistent with Specific
Outcome O8.
Service & Utility Type 3 - Tower
Visual amenity S10.1 The tower is— Partly Complies.
a) not established in the Detached
O10 The tower is visually integrated The proposal is located in the Rural Zone and not in a
Housing, Semi-Attached Housing,
with its landscape or townscape zone listed under S10.1 (a). The slimline monopole
Attached Housing or Visitor Mixed Use
setting so as not to be visually will appear unobtrusive when viewed from the
Zones;
dominant or obtrusive. surrounding road network.
b) camouflaged through the use of
colours and materials which blend into the Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed facility
surrounding landscape; and will be an addition to the area, the proposed facility
c) unobtrusive when viewed from any part will not be visually dominant or obtrusive due to the
of the major road network; or following:
S10.2 The tower is co-located on an • The proposed facility has been located on a
existing telecommunication tower; large, rural allotment which allows for
separation from nearby dwellings, the closest
AND
Page 111
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
of which are located approximately 110 m to
S10.3 The height of the tower does not the north-west;
exceed— • Existing mature vegetation within the subject
a) 20 metres where on land in the property and adjoining properties will help
Community Services, Business minimise the potential visual impact of the
Centre or Industry Zones; or facility when viewed from the surrounding
b) 25 metres where on land in the area;
Rural Zone. • The vegetated ridgeline will assist in
backdropping a large portion of the monopole
when viewed from residential areas to the
south;
• The proposed facility will be seen in context
with the existing Telstra facility, an accepted
part of the landscape;
• The undulating topography of the area will
assist in obscuring views towards the facility
from dwellings and roads in the area;
• Significant views within the region are
protected and not adversely impacted upon;
• A monopole was selected as the preferred
structure over a lattice tower design as this
type of facility can remain slim line and is less
visually obtrusive when viewed from a
distance.
For further discussion, refer to Section 7.1 of the
Town Planning Report.
For these reasons, the proposal is considered to
comply with Specific Outcome O10.
Page 112
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
Health and safety No solution provided. Complies.
O11 The development avoids or The nbn compound will be secured by a 2.4 m high
effectively manages any emissions chainwire fence to prevent public access to
of light, noise, vibration or radiation unauthorised personnel. Warning signs will be
beyond the site such that— mounted to the external fence and the gate will be
a) environmental nuisance to locked.
occupants or users of
The facility is designed to operate in compliance with
surrounding premises is not
the mandatory standard for human exposure to EME–
caused;
currently the Radio communications (Electromagnetic
b) unProbable risks to the
Radiation Human Exposure) Standard 2003. Further
environment or to personal
detail is provided in Section 8.11.1 of this report and
and public safety are
an EME Report associated with this site is attached in
unlikely to be caused; and
Appendix E.
c) public access is restricted to
meet workplace, health and The proposed facility will not require the installation
safety requirements. of lighting.
Noise and vibration emissions associated with the
proposed facility will be limited to the construction
phase. Noise generated during the construction phase
will be of short duration and will be in accordance with
the standards outlined in the Environmental
Protection Regulation 1998 and Environmental
Protection (Noise) Policy 1997. Construction works
will only occur between the hours of 7.00am and
6.00pm.
There will be some low level noise from the ongoing
operation of air conditioning equipment associated
with the outdoor cabinets, once installed. Noise
Page 113
Proposed nbn Telecommunications Facility on Lot 22 SP148684
Appendix C – Code Assessment
Specific Outcomes Probable Outcomes Compliance
emanating from the air conditioning equipment is at
a comparable level to a domestic air conditioning
installation, and will generally accord with the
background noise levels prescribed by Australian
Standard AS1055. The air conditioning unit will be
well removed from surrounding residential dwellings.
Access to sunlight S12.1 For proposed buildings or Complies.
O12 The Tower does not cast structures having a height exceeding The proposed facility has been located on private land
shadows such that the amenity of 8.5m above ground level and a cross and will not be in close proximity to public open space.
surrounding premises or useability of sectional area exceeding 20m2, The closest residential dwelling is located
public open space is unduly reduced. shadowing does not affect residential lots, approximately 110 m away and at this distance, will
child care centres or public open space to not be affected by any shadowing resulting from the
the extent of more than 20% of their site monopole.
area for a period in excess of three hours
on any day of the year. As such, the proposal complies with O12.
Page 114
Appendix D - Environmental Searches
76
[OCR of page images]
Appendix D - Environmental Searches
76
Page 115
EPBC Act Protected Matters Report
This report provides general guidance on matters of national environmental significance and other matters
protected by the EPBC Act in the area you have selected.
Information on the coverage of this report and qualifications on data supporting this report are contained in the
caveat at the end of the report.
Information is available about Environment Assessments and the EPBC Act including significance guidelines,
forms and application process details.
Report created: 27/08/18 12:53:56
Summary
Details
Matters of NES
Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act
Extra Information
Caveat
Acknowledgements
This map may contain data which are
©Commonwealth of Australia
(Geoscience Australia), ©PSMA 2010
Coordinates
Buffer: 1.0Km
Page 116
Summary Matters of National Environmental Significance This part of the report summarises the matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or may relate to, the area you nominated. Further information is available in the detail part of the report, which can be accessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you are proposing to undertake an activity that may have a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance then you should consider the Administrative Guidelines on Significance. World Heritage Properties: None National Heritage Places: None Wetlands of International Importance: 1 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: None Commonwealth Marine Area: None Listed Threatened Ecological Communities: 1 Listed Threatened Species: 38 Listed Migratory Species: 15 Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated. Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land, when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken on Commonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing to take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere. The EPBC Act protects the environment on Commonwealth land, the environment from the actions taken on Commonwealth land, and the environment from actions taken by Commonwealth agencies. As heritage values of a place are part of the 'environment', these aspects of the EPBC Act protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of a Commonwealth Heritage place. Information on the new heritage laws can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage A permit may be required for activities in or on a Commonwealth area that may affect a member of a listed threatened species or ecological community, a member of a listed migratory species, whales and other cetaceans, or a member of a listed marine species. Commonwealth Land: None Commonwealth Heritage Places: None Listed Marine Species: 21 Whales and Other Cetaceans: None Critical Habitats: None Commonwealth Reserves Terrestrial: None Australian Marine Parks: None Extra Information This part of the report provides information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated. State and Territory Reserves: 1 Regional Forest Agreements: None Invasive Species: 34 Nationally Important Wetlands: None Key Ecological Features (Marine) None
Page 117
Details
Matters of National Environmental Significance
Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) [ Resource Information ]
Name Proximity
Great sandy strait (including great sandy strait, tin can bay and tin can 30 - 40km upstream
Listed Threatened Ecological Communities [ Resource Information ]
For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery
plans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological
community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to
produce indicative distribution maps.
Name Status Type of Presence
Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia Critically Endangered Community may occur
within area
Listed Threatened Species [ Resource Information ]
Name Status Type of Presence
Birds
Anthochaera phrygia
Regent Honeyeater [82338] Critically Endangered Foraging, feeding or related
behaviour may occur within
area
Botaurus poiciloptilus
Australasian Bittern [1001] Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Calidris ferruginea
Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni
Coxen's Fig-Parrot [59714] Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Dasyornis brachypterus
Eastern Bristlebird [533] Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Red Goshawk [942] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Geophaps scripta scripta
Squatter Pigeon (southern) [64440] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Lathamus discolor
Swift Parrot [744] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Numenius madagascariensis
Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Rostratula australis
Australian Painted-snipe, Australian Painted Snipe Endangered Species or species habitat
[77037] may occur within area
Page 118
Name Status Type of Presence
Turnix melanogaster
Black-breasted Button-quail [923] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Frogs
Mixophyes fleayi
Fleay's Frog [25960] Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Mixophyes iteratus
Giant Barred Frog, Southern Barred Frog [1944] Endangered Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Insects
Argynnis hyperbius inconstans
Australian Fritillary [88056] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Mammals
Chalinolobus dwyeri
Large-eared Pied Bat, Large Pied Bat [183] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Dasyurus hallucatus
Northern Quoll, Digul [Gogo-Yimidir], Wijingadda Endangered Species or species habitat
[Dambimangari], Wiminji [Martu] [331] likely to occur within area
Dasyurus maculatus maculatus (SE mainland population)
Spot-tailed Quoll, Spotted-tail Quoll, Tiger Quoll Endangered Species or species habitat
(southeastern mainland population) [75184] likely to occur within area
Petauroides volans
Greater Glider [254] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT)
Koala (combined populations of Queensland, New Vulnerable Species or species habitat
South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) known to occur within area
[85104]
Potorous tridactylus tridactylus
Long-nosed Potoroo (SE mainland) [66645] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Pteropus poliocephalus
Grey-headed Flying-fox [186] Vulnerable Foraging, feeding or related
behaviour known to occur
within area
Plants
Archidendron lovelliae
Bacon Wood, Tulip Siris [13451] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Arthraxon hispidus
Hairy-joint Grass [9338] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Baloghia marmorata
Marbled Balogia, Jointed Baloghia [8463] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Bosistoa transversa
Three-leaved Bosistoa, Yellow Satinheart [16091] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Cryptocarya foetida
Stinking Cryptocarya, Stinking Laurel [11976] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Cryptostylis hunteriana
Leafless Tongue-orchid [19533] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Page 119
Name Status Type of Presence
Floydia praealta
Ball Nut, Possum Nut, Big Nut, Beefwood [15762] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Lepidium peregrinum
Wandering Pepper-cress [14035] Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Macadamia integrifolia
Macadamia Nut, Queensland Nut Tree, Smooth- Vulnerable Species or species habitat
shelled Macadamia, Bush Nut, Nut Oak [7326] may occur within area
Macadamia ternifolia
Small-fruited Queensland Nut, Gympie Nut [7214] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Phaius australis
Lesser Swamp-orchid [5872] Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Samadera bidwillii
Quassia [29708] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Sophora fraseri
[8836] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Triunia robusta
Glossy Spice Bush [14747] Endangered Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Xanthostemon oppositifolius
Penda, Southern Penda, Luya's Hardwood [8738] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Reptiles
Delma torquata
Adorned Delma, Collared Delma [1656] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Furina dunmalli
Dunmall's Snake [59254] Vulnerable Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Listed Migratory Species [ Resource Information ]
* Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list.
Name Threatened Type of Presence
Migratory Marine Birds
Apus pacificus
Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Migratory Marine Species
Crocodylus porosus
Salt-water Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile [1774] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Migratory Terrestrial Species
Cuculus optatus
Oriental Cuckoo, Horsfield's Cuckoo [86651] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Hirundapus caudacutus
White-throated Needletail [682] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Monarcha melanopsis
Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Page 120
Name Threatened Type of Presence
Monarcha trivirgatus
Spectacled Monarch [610] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Myiagra cyanoleuca
Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Rhipidura rufifrons
Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Migratory Wetlands Species
Actitis hypoleucos
Common Sandpiper [59309] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Calidris acuminata
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper [874] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Calidris ferruginea
Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Calidris melanotos
Pectoral Sandpiper [858] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Gallinago hardwickii
Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Numenius madagascariensis
Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey [952] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act
Listed Marine Species [ Resource Information ]
* Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list.
Name Threatened Type of Presence
Birds
Actitis hypoleucos
Common Sandpiper [59309] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Anseranas semipalmata
Magpie Goose [978] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Apus pacificus
Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Ardea alba
Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Ardea ibis
Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Page 121
Name Threatened Type of Presence
Calidris acuminata
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper [874] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Calidris ferruginea
Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Calidris melanotos
Pectoral Sandpiper [858] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Gallinago hardwickii
Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Haliaeetus leucogaster
White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Hirundapus caudacutus
White-throated Needletail [682] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Lathamus discolor
Swift Parrot [744] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Merops ornatus
Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Monarcha melanopsis
Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Monarcha trivirgatus
Spectacled Monarch [610] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Myiagra cyanoleuca
Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Numenius madagascariensis
Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey [952] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Rhipidura rufifrons
Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato)
Painted Snipe [889] Endangered* Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Reptiles
Crocodylus porosus
Salt-water Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile [1774] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Page 122
Extra Information
State and Territory Reserves [ Resource Information ]
Name State
Woondum QLD
Invasive Species [ Resource Information ]
Weeds reported here are the 20 species of national significance (WoNS), along with other introduced plants
that are considered by the States and Territories to pose a particularly significant threat to biodiversity. The
following feral animals are reported: Goat, Red Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Pig, Water Buffalo and Cane Toad. Maps from
Landscape Health Project, National Land and Water Resouces Audit, 2001.
Name Status Type of Presence
Birds
Acridotheres tristis
Common Myna, Indian Myna [387] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Anas platyrhynchos
Mallard [974] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Columba livia
Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon [803] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Lonchura punctulata
Nutmeg Mannikin [399] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Passer domesticus
House Sparrow [405] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Streptopelia chinensis
Spotted Turtle-Dove [780] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Sturnus vulgaris
Common Starling [389] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Frogs
Rhinella marina
Cane Toad [83218] Species or species habitat
known to occur within area
Mammals
Bos taurus
Domestic Cattle [16] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Canis lupus familiaris
Domestic Dog [82654] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Felis catus
Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat [19] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Feral deer
Feral deer species in Australia [85733] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Lepus capensis
Brown Hare [127] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Mus musculus
House Mouse [120] Species or species
Page 123
Name Status Type of Presence
habitat likely to occur within
area
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rabbit, European Rabbit [128] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Rattus rattus
Black Rat, Ship Rat [84] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Sus scrofa
Pig [6] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Vulpes vulpes
Red Fox, Fox [18] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Plants
Annona glabra
Pond Apple, Pond-apple Tree, Alligator Apple, Species or species habitat
Bullock's Heart, Cherimoya, Monkey Apple, Bobwood, likely to occur within area
Corkwood [6311]
Anredera cordifolia
Madeira Vine, Jalap, Lamb's-tail, Mignonette Vine, Species or species habitat
Anredera, Gulf Madeiravine, Heartleaf Madeiravine, likely to occur within area
Potato Vine [2643]
Asparagus africanus
Climbing Asparagus, Climbing Asparagus Fern Species or species habitat
[66907] likely to occur within area
Cabomba caroliniana
Cabomba, Fanwort, Carolina Watershield, Fish Grass, Species or species habitat
Washington Grass, Watershield, Carolina Fanwort, likely to occur within area
Common Cabomba [5171]
Chrysanthemoides monilifera
Bitou Bush, Boneseed [18983] Species or species habitat
may occur within area
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata
Bitou Bush [16332] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Dolichandra unguis-cati
Cat's Claw Vine, Yellow Trumpet Vine, Cat's Claw Species or species habitat
Creeper, Funnel Creeper [85119] likely to occur within area
Hymenachne amplexicaulis
Hymenachne, Olive Hymenachne, Water Stargrass, Species or species habitat
West Indian Grass, West Indian Marsh Grass [31754] likely to occur within area
Lantana camara
Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana, Large- Species or species habitat
leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red Flowered likely to occur within area
Lantana, Red-Flowered Sage, White Sage, Wild Sage
[10892]
Parthenium hysterophorus
Parthenium Weed, Bitter Weed, Carrot Grass, False Species or species habitat
Ragweed [19566] likely to occur within area
Sagittaria platyphylla
Delta Arrowhead, Arrowhead, Slender Arrowhead Species or species habitat
[68483] likely to occur within area
Salix spp. except S.babylonica, S.x calodendron & S.x reichardtii
Willows except Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow and Species or species habitat
Sterile Pussy Willow [68497] likely to occur within area
Salvinia molesta
Salvinia, Giant Salvinia, Aquarium Watermoss, Kariba Species or species habitat
Weed [13665] likely to occur within area
Page 124
Name Status Type of Presence
Senecio madagascariensis
Fireweed, Madagascar Ragwort, Madagascar Species or species habitat
Groundsel [2624] likely to occur within area
Reptiles
Hemidactylus frenatus
Asian House Gecko [1708] Species or species habitat
likely to occur within area
Ramphotyphlops braminus
Flowerpot Blind Snake, Brahminy Blind Snake, Cacing Species or species habitat
Besi [1258] may occur within area
Page 125
Caveat
The information presented in this report has been provided by a range of data sources as acknowledged at the end of the report.
This report is designed to assist in identifying the locations of places which may be relevant in determining obligations under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It holds mapped locations of World and National Heritage properties, Wetlands of International
and National Importance, Commonwealth and State/Territory reserves, listed threatened, migratory and marine species and listed threatened
ecological communities. Mapping of Commonwealth land is not complete at this stage. Maps have been collated from a range of sources at various
resolutions.
Not all species listed under the EPBC Act have been mapped (see below) and therefore a report is a general guide only. Where available data
supports mapping, the type of presence that can be determined from the data is indicated in general terms. People using this information in making
a referral may need to consider the qualifications below and may need to seek and consider other information sources.
For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remote
sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point
location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps.
Threatened, migratory and marine species distributions have been derived through a variety of methods. Where distributions are well known and if
time permits, maps are derived using either thematic spatial data (i.e. vegetation, soils, geology, elevation, aspect, terrain, etc) together with point
locations and described habitat; or environmental modelling (MAXENT or BIOCLIM habitat modelling) using point locations and environmental data
layers.
Where very little information is available for species or large number of maps are required in a short time-frame, maps are derived either from 0.04
or 0.02 decimal degree cells; by an automated process using polygon capture techniques (static two kilometre grid cells, alpha-hull and convex hull);
or captured manually or by using topographic features (national park boundaries, islands, etc). In the early stages of the distribution mapping
process (1999-early 2000s) distributions were defined by degree blocks, 100K or 250K map sheets to rapidly create distribution maps. More reliable
distribution mapping methods are used to update these distributions as time permits.
Only selected species covered by the following provisions of the EPBC Act have been mapped:
- migratory and
- marine
The following species and ecological communities have not been mapped and do not appear in reports produced from this database:
- threatened species listed as extinct or considered as vagrants
- some species and ecological communities that have only recently been listed
- some terrestrial species that overfly the Commonwealth marine area
- migratory species that are very widespread, vagrant, or only occur in small numbers
The following groups have been mapped, but may not cover the complete distribution of the species:
- non-threatened seabirds which have only been mapped for recorded breeding sites
- seals which have only been mapped for breeding sites near the Australian continent
Such breeding sites may be important for the protection of the Commonwealth Marine environment.
Coordinates
-26.31602 152.83034
Page 126
Acknowledgements
This database has been compiled from a range of data sources. The department acknowledges the following
custodians who have contributed valuable data and advice:
-Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales
-Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria
-Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania
-Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia
-Department of Land and Resource Management, Northern Territory
-Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection, Queensland
-Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia
-Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT
-Birdlife Australia
-Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme
-Australian National Wildlife Collection
-Natural history museums of Australia
-Museum Victoria
-Australian Museum
-South Australian Museum
-Queensland Museum
-Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums
-Queensland Herbarium
-National Herbarium of NSW
-Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria
-Tasmanian Herbarium
-State Herbarium of South Australia
-Northern Territory Herbarium
-Western Australian Herbarium
-Australian National Herbarium, Canberra
-University of New England
-Ocean Biogeographic Information System
-Australian Government, Department of Defence
Forestry Corporation, NSW
-Geoscience Australia
-CSIRO
-Australian Tropical Herbarium, Cairns
-eBird Australia
-Australian Government – Australian Antarctic Data Centre
-Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
-Australian Government National Environmental Science Program
-Australian Institute of Marine Science
-Reef Life Survey Australia
-American Museum of Natural History
-Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Inveresk, Tasmania
-Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania
-Other groups and individuals
The Department is extremely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who provided expert advice
and information on numerous draft distributions.
Please feel free to provide feedback via the Contact Us page.
© Commonwealth of Australia
Department of the Environment
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
+61 2 6274 1111
Page 127
For Lot: 22 Plan: SP148684 Current as at 27/08/2018 [OCR of page images] Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Vegetation management report For Lot: 22 Plan: SP148684 Current as at 27/08/2018 Queensland Government
Page 128
This publication has been compiled by Operations Support, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. © State of Queensland, (2018) The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons - Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY) licence. Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. Note: Some content in this publication may have different licence terms as indicated. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. Vegetation management report, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, 2018 Page 2
Page 129
Recent changes
New vegetation clearing laws
New vegetation management laws were passed by the Queensland Parliament on 3 May 2018 and may affect the clearing
you can undertake on your property.
For more information, read about the new vegetation management laws
(https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/land-water/initiatives/vegetation-management-laws/) or call 135VEG (13 58 34) between
8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Updated mapping
The Regulated Vegetation Management Map and Supporting Map was updated in March 2018 to reflect the most up to date
information available in relation to regional ecosystems, essential habitat and wetland mapping (Version 10).
Overview
Based on the lot on plan details you have supplied, this report provides the following detailed information:
• Vegetation management framework - an explanation of the application of the framework.
• Property details - information about the specified Lot on Plan, lot size, local government area, bioregion(s),
subregion(s), catchment(s), coastal or non coastal status, and any applicable area management plans associated with
your property.
• Vegetation management details for the specified Lot on Plan - specific information about your property including
vegetation categories, regional ecosystems, watercourses, wetlands, essential habitat, and protected plants.
• Contact information.
• Maps - a series of colour maps to assist in identifying regulated vegetation on your property.
• Other legislation contact information.
This information will assist you to determine your options for managing vegetation, which may include:
• exempt clearing work
• accepted development vegetation clearing code
• an area management plan
• a development approval.
Other laws
The clearing of native vegetation is regulated by both Queensland and Australian legislation, and some local governments
also regulate native vegetation clearing. You may need to obtain an approval or permit under another Act, such as
Queensland's Protected Plants framework or the Commonwealth Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Section 6 of this guide provides contact details of other agencies you should confirm
requirements with, before commencing vegetation clearing.
Vegetation management report, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, 2018 Page 3
The text continues on page 130.