NBN Planning Report_Cooran

The current site is considered to demonstrate an appropriate balance of the above goals.
The NBN compound has been appropriately co-sited near similar infrastructure, namely the
Powerlink stanchions, and is located within a setting which is characterised as a rural
residential area. The proposed facility will provide improved network access to remote
locations within the region. The proposed location provides a significant separation distance
(in excess of 500 m) from community sensitive land uses and is well removed from major
transport routes, the closest being the Bruce Highway, which is located approximately 1.4
km to the south of the subject site.
Furthermore, the surrounding locality contains extensive areas of established mature
vegetation, particularly along ridgelines and rises, which will mitigate the potential visual
impacts associated with the development. The proposed facility will be located on a
ridgeline that is heavily vegetated to the south and west of the proposed location. The
properties located to the east of the subject site and north of Schreibers Road also contain
patches of dense vegetation. There are clusters of existing vegetation located on the subject
property and near the proposed location of the facility which will assist in integrating the
slimline monopole into the surrounding landscape. The presence of extensive, mature
vegetation in the surrounding area, coupled with the undulating and steep terrain, will
minimise the visual dominance of the structure, particularly when viewed from dwellings
located to the south and north of the proposed facility (refer to Section 8). Therefore, the
proposed facility will be effectively screened from nearby dwellings and is a suitable and
consistent use for this particular area.
The proposed facility has been appropriately located within a rural area and will not
adversely impact the rural zone as the facility has been intentionally located on private rural
land to avoid areas of significant natural resources and minimise potential environmental
impacts associated with the development. The establishment of the monopole on the
subject site will not affect the agricultural and grazing capabilities of the site as it will occupy
a relatively small lease area (110 m²) of the total 55 ha of land and is located on the
periphery of the site. The location also offers a sufficient buffer distance from
environmentally sensitive locations and no vegetation removal is required.
While it is acknowledged that the proposed facility will be an addition to the surrounding
landscape, the current character of the area is not void of man-made structures and is
characterised by large rural residential allotments in conjunction with essential
infrastructure. The wider vicinity of the area contains a number of existing infrastructure
uses, including the Bruce Highway (located approximately 1.2 km south), an existing Optus
Facility (located approximately 2.6 km south), and an existing Powerlink electricity
transmission easement located on-site. Therefore, it is considered the proposed facility is
not inconsistent with the character of the area as the proposed facility has been
appropriately designed and located to minimise potential impacts. Telecommunication
facilities are now an accepted part of the landscape, much like powerlines, as they provide a
necessary service and will essentially contribute to the wellbeing of the Cooran region.
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 3 – Code Table Assessment.


7.2.2   Infrastructure Uses Code

A ‘Tower’ is considered as an Infrastructure Use within the Noosa Plan and is therefore
assessable against the Infrastructure Uses Code. Section 14.372 of the Noosa Plans lists
overall outcomes for the Infrastructure Uses Code, which includes the following:

NBN-4BBZ-4GYM-5132-Schreibers                                                         Page 36