2021-02-09 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     9 FEBRUARY 2021


In reviewing the matter it is clear from the photomontages that the tower will be the most noticeable
from 298 Tablelands Road, with the tower either barely visible and/or of limited visibility from other
vantage points. In respect to 298 Tablelands Road officers raised concern with Council’s visual
expert about the observable difference between the visibility of the tower and the crane when viewed
from 298 Tablelands Road. In response Council’s visual expert advised that:
     The crane was not a uniform shape - its irregularity probably made it more apparent in the
      landscape;
     The crane was white, while the tower is a more recessive colour;
     The lighting on the day the crane was there appears to be different than on the day Mr Elliot
      (for the appellant) took his photos.
In response to the photomontages Council’s town planning expert has advised that:
It is apparent from the photomontages that the proposed tower while visible (at 200% zoom), will not
significantly impact upon the visual amenity of neighbouring properties or the Cooran locality more
generally. Dr McGowan also supports this position.
I expected the tower to have a greater visual impact when viewed from the proposed building pad at
298 Tablelands Road. While the tower will have some visual impact when viewed from this location,
the proposed tower does not extend above the tree line at 25m; it does extend above the immediate
tree line but not the distant tree line at 30m, and does not extend into the skyline. Currently, the tower
is screened by vegetation from the neighbouring property at 250 Tablelands Road. In my opinion,
the visual impact from any of the vantage points does not warrant refusal.
It noted under the Noosa Plan 2020, a Telecommunications Facility is a consistent but impact
assessable use where located at least 100 metres from any sensitive land use, which is the case
here. It is understood that the proposed tower is about 100m from the dwelling at 250 Tablelands
Road. Further, under the Infrastructure Activities Code (Part 9.3.11), the following are relevant:
     AO16.1 – Telecommunications facilities are considered appropriate in the Rural Zone, which
      is the case here;
     AO16.4 – the height of the tower does not exceed 25 metres outside the Urban boundary,
      which is the case here;
     AO16.5 – if co-located with another existing facility, the tower is not to exceed 30 metres
      outside an Urban boundary, which accounts for a possible future extension of 5m as of right
      under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (under the
      Telecommunications Act 1997.
While the development does not meet all of the acceptable outcomes (AO16.3) at this part, it would
meet the performance outcome PO16, in terms of impact upon amenity. It is noted that these
provisions are largely consistent with Planning Scheme Policy 23 – Telecommunications Towers
under the Noosa Plan 2006 (refer page 13 of the Council officers assessment report).
In my opinion, having regard to the photomontages prepared, the proposed tower will not have a
significant adverse impact upon the amenity of neighbouring residential properties and the Cooran
locality more generally.
Council’s solicitor therefore advises that Council’s prospects in the appeal are limited.
Given Council’s experts’ advice, the conclusions of the joint visual expert report and Council’s
planning solicitors advice, it is recommended that Council seek to settle the appeal subject to the
conditions recommended.




                                                                                          Page 73 of 98