2015-07-21 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   21 JULY 2015


Code                Discussion
Planning Scheme Section 3.2 & 3.4 of the Policy outlines matters for consideration when
Policy   23     - assessing proposals for towers. The most applicable points associated
Telecommunication with the assessment of this proposal are:
Towers
                      3.2 a) Loss of vegetation on steep slopes or ridgelines; or

                        3.2 b) Visual scarring or the degradation of views or vistas from the
                        major road network; or

                        3.2 c) Alteration to key landform and landscape characters such that
                        they become dominated by the facility; or

                        3.4 d) Be positioned to minimise clutter of multiple facilities.

                    No removal of vegetation or alteration to the landforms is required for the
                    110m2 lease area. The tower will not be readily seen from the major road
                    network and the adjacent existing vegetation assists in screening the
                    base of the tower. The height of the tower also allows future colocation
                    opportunities with other telecommunication providers, consistent with the
                    outcomes of the Policy.

Infrastructure Uses The Code includes requirements around two central themes - Health &
Code                Safety and Visual Amenity.

                    Health & Safety
                    The Specific Outcomes of the Code require the development to avoid
                    unacceptable risks to the environment or to personal and public safety.
                    The applicant has provided a summary of the maximum cumulative
                    radiofrequency (RF) and electromagnetic energy (EME) levels at ground
                    level emitted from the proposed tower, assuming full power usage. The
                    summary indicates the proposed tower will emit a maximum EME level
                    from the tower, which is 0.071% of the Australian Radiation Protection
                    and Nuclear Safety Agency’s (ARPANSA) regulated acceptable
                    maximum radiation public exposure limits.

                    Taking a precautionary approach to the sensitive issue concerning health
                    and safety over time, certification is to be provided by the
                    telecommunications carrier upon request.         The certification must
                    demonstrate annual compliance with the Health & Safety requirements
                    compared to ARPANSA regulations.

                    Visual Amenity
                    The Code seeks for the tower to be below 25m height in the Rural zone.
                    The proposed tower is 41m high, with the applicant indicating the height
                    is required to provide appropriate coverage to the surrounding properties.

                    The tower will be sited amongst mature vegetation, near existing
                    electricity infrastructure and setback more than 400m from the closest
                    residential dwelling. As demonstrated by the photomontages of the tower
                    from Sankeys and Schreibers Roads (See Attachment 2), the proposal
                    is considered to be reasonably visually integrated with its setting and
                    existing infrastructure so as not to dominate views from surrounding
                    areas.


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