investigate the feasibility of an alternative site servicing rural Cooran, adjacent an HV · MCU13/0051

17 April 2014


Attn: Jack Lewis
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Locked Bag 72
Sunshine Coast Mail Centre, QLD, 4560


Dear Jack,

I am writing to confirm our conversation earlier in the week, that NBN Co will
investigate the feasibility of an alternative site servicing rural Cooran, adjacent an HV
tower off Schreibers Rd.

In confirming this advice, NBN Co also confirms that this is considered a compromise
outcome for the community at Cooran, that will result in residences to the north no
longer receiving the Fixed Wireless service, that otherwise would have under NBN
Co’s network design. An outcome that we highlight is not in keeping with NBN Co’s
intended service provision to rural Cooran.

NBN Co maintains a strong belief in the planning merits of the original proposal,
which we consider presents limited or no visual impact to the vast majority of the
community, and an acceptable visual impact to the surrounding neighbours.

We impress upon Council that a facility adjacent the HV transmission line would only
be feasible if we secure tenure at one of those private properties, with reasonable
access to low voltage power. To that end, NBN Co will not be examining locations on
the far side of the transmission line, which would necessitate an underground power
supply traversing the HV transmission line.

We also advise Council that a facility adjacent the HV tower lines would likely require
a 40m monopole (5 m taller than our proposed facility), and that the required height
may even be taller, notwithstanding any difference in ground elevation.

The additional offset to the northern and north-western residences will require a taller
structure to deliver service to as many of these residences as possible. In agreeing
to investigate a compromise location, NBN Co will be seeking to provide service to
the northern side of Coles Creek Rd as best as possible, because our broader
network design is calibrated for this service.

NBN Co will has instructed Aurecon to approach landowners in the area, and we will
advise Council at the earliest possible convenience of the outcome of this property
investigation. Should a technically feasible, accessible location be secured, NBN Co
will then withdraw the DA currently before Council. Until such time, we request that
Council defer its decision regarding the current DA, which, in the absence of
available alternatives, may be the only proposal formally lodged to Council.

Compromise Outcome

NBN Co notes that Noosa Shire Council planners have a firm understanding of the
overall network design and basic parameters that influence site selection. However,
we advise Council that NBN Co does not automatically
proceed with a facility simply because 120 premises can be