Objection - Jamie

Assessment Manager
Noosa Council Planning
[email protected]

Submission - Material Change of Use - Service and Utility Type 3 tower
Application # MCU 18/0166

244 Tablelands Rd Cooran
Lot 22 SP 148684
Property ID 154492


Objection to a telecommunications tower at 244 Tablelands Road, Cooran

My wife and I own and live at 226 Tablelands Road which adjoins 244 Tablelands Road, the
site of the proposed NBN telecommunications tower. The proposed tower will be sited
approximately 100 metres from our property boundary. The 36 metre structure will tower
over the 16 – 18 metre trees surrounding the tower (as detailed by Aurecon in their
application) by at least 20 metres. This man made structure will not blend into the natural
environment of the area and will cause major detrimental impact on our scenic amenity.
Refer Photo 1 showing the view from our boundary to the proposed tower.

We have a Landcare membership and are committed to maintaining and enhancing the
native vegetation on our property, not only for our visual enjoyment, but also for the visual
pleasure of our guests and the many locals and visitors to the region who pass by on
Tablelands Road to the Woondum National Park and the James Mckane lookout. This tower
will be a visual eyesore.

As a keen cyclist, walker and lover of the natural environment, the nearby Noosa Trail
Network was one of the major attractions for us when deciding to settle in Cooran. Trail 2
and Trail 3 offer scenic views over the ridgeline on which our property and 244 Tablelands
Road are situated. The residence at 244 Tablelands Road is clearly visible from a number of
locations on the trail network. A 36 metre structure towering over the local vegetation will
be a prominent landmark on the natural ridgeline. This will severely detract from the scenic
vistas of the trail network which attracts locals and visitors to the Noosa Shire for the rural
and bushland experience. The purpose of the Mary River Catchment Plan is to protect the
natural ridgelines from developments such as that proposed. Refer photo 2 showing
residence of 244 Tablelands road from Noosa Trail Network Trails 2 and 3 and imagine the
proposed telecommunication tower dominating the ridgeline and detracting from the
magnificent view to Mt Cooran and beyond.

Policy 23 of the Noosa Planning Scheme regarding Telecommunications Towers Section 3.4
states that towers should be positioned to minimise clutter of multiple facilities while
Section 4 requires Carriers be obligated to consider co-locating on existing towers in the
area. There is an existing Telstra tower very close to the proposed NBN Tower. This tower,
sited below the ridgeline, has a minimal impact on the visual amenity of the area and
highlights that there are alternatives to the intrusive site being proposed.