2015-07-21 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    21 JULY 2015


     8.    Warning information signs and security fencing must be provided on the site to
           prevent unauthorised entry. Fencing must be camouflaged through the use of
           colours, materials and screening vegetation to blend the fence into the visual
           landscape.
           Colours and Finishes
     9.    The monopole and associated panels must be finished in colours that blend in
           visually into the landscape.
           Cessation of Use
     10.   The telecommunications facility must be removed from the site upon cessation of the
           use.
           Landscaping Plan
     11.   Dense screening vegetation shall be established around the enclosure in accordance
           with Council’s Policy on Landscaping Guidelines and a properly prepared landscape
           plan. Such landscaping is to be completed prior to the commencement of the use
           and maintained at all times thereafter. The Landscape Plan shall include at a
           minimum:
           a.    The identification and retention of the existing trees within a 50m distance
                 around the fenced compound area of the tower.
           b.    Appropriately selected tree species and understorey plantings to achieve dense
                 visual screening of the tower and having regard to the soil conditions. Trees
                 included shall be able to achieve up to 20m in mature height, though inclusion
                 of fast growing species is also desirable to achieve early visual screening.
           c.    The planting areas should maximise the screening opportunities surrounding
                 the tower and include appropriate planting for a distance up to 20m beyond the
                 perimeter of the lease area, whilst maintaining access and electricity supply.
           A development application for Operational Works shall be required in this regard.
B.   Find the following are sufficient grounds to justify the decision despite the conflict with the
     Planning Scheme:
     1.    The telecommunications facility will provide coverage for the NBN fixed wireless
           network, allowing for the delivery of higher speed data to rural residential households
           in the Cooran area; and
     2.    The proposal will not significantly impact on the visual or residential amenity of the
           locality as it is to be located near existing infrastructure, and is screened by existing
           vegetation.


REPORT
1.   PROPOSAL
The application seeks approval for a Development Permit for Material Change of Use for a
telecommunications tower associated with the establishment of the fixed wireless network
infrastructure of the National Broadband Network (NBN). Fixed wireless is a network of base
station facilities proposed to provide fast internet service to the majority of rural and rural
residential properties. Since 2013, there have been 7 other NBN towers approved in the Noosa
Shire, with several already constructed and operational.

These base stations communicate directly with antennas fixed to individual premises (eg,
dwellings or businesses) to deliver wireless broadband access. The proposed tower is designed
to serve approximately 170 rural residential properties to the south of Cooran and is designed to
offer service providers with wholesale download access speeds of 25Mbps.

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