2014-04-28 General Committee Meeting Agenda Pages 65-200

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                    28 APRIL 2014


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 scaring 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.

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

                             3.4 e) Impact on views to and from waterways, beaches and
                             riparian zones.

                      Clearing is required for the 80m2 lease area and associated 5m cleared
                      area surrounding the perimeter. This area was previously planted as pine
                      plantation, with the vegetation to be removed not significant, being
                      regrowth (6-10 years old).

                    The existing vegetation within the Lake Flat Road reserve and on the site
                    assists in screening the tower, so as not to degrade views from the major
                    road network and Lake Cootharaba, meeting 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 0.06% 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
                      Probable Solution 10.1 requires that the tower is not established in the
                      Detached Housing, Semi Attached Housing, Attached Housing or Visitor
                      Mixed Use zones. Probable Solution 10.3 also requires the tower not to
                      exceed 25m in the rural zone. The proposed 31m tower is located within
                      the Rural zone.




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