Statement of Environmental Effects - Coolamon Shire · • Security fencing around the compound...

Statement of Environmental Effects Proposed Fixed Wireless Facility

Crown LandMarrar NSW 2652

(Lot 77 DP 750847

NBN Site Reference

NBN-2CLM-51-

Prepared on behalf of NBN Co Limited

by Daly International Pty Ltd

March 2013

Statement of Environmental

Proposed Fixed Wireless Facility

Crown Land Off Hare St, Marrar NSW 2652

750847)

NBN Site Reference

-05-MARR Marrar

NBN Co Limited



Off Hare St,

2CLM-51-05-MARR– Marrar of 45

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................. 4

1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 6

2.0 BACKGROUND ............................................................................... 7

2.1 NBN Co and the National Broadband Network .........................................................7

2.2 What is fixed Wireless and how is it different to Mobile Broadband? .....................7

2.3 Network Coverage Objectives and Alternative Sites .................................................7

3.0 SITE SELECTION............................................................................ 10

3.1 Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage ......................................10

3.2 Site Selection Parameters ........................................................................................10

4.0 Subject Site and Surrounds .......................................................... 13

5.0 THE PROPOSAL ............................................................................ 15

5.1 Facility and Equipment Details ................................................................................15

5.2 Access Details ..........................................................................................................15

5.3 Power Details ...........................................................................................................16

5.4 Construction of the Facility ......................................................................................16

6.0 SECTION 79C ASSESSMENT ........................................................... 17

6.1 Any Environmental Planning Instruments ...............................................................17

6.2 Local Environmental Plan ........................................................................................22

6.3 Crown Lands Act 1989 .............................................................................................24

6.4 Any Draft Environmental Planning Instruments ......................................................25

6.5 Any Development Control Plan ...............................................................................25

6.6 The Likely Impacts of the Development ..................................................................26

6.7 The Suitability of the Site for the Development ......................................................26

6.8 The Public Interest ...................................................................................................26

7.0 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................... 27

7.1 Visual Impacts ..........................................................................................................27

7.2 Heritage ...................................................................................................................32

7.3 Flora and Fauna .......................................................................................................32

7.4 Health and Safety.....................................................................................................32

7.5 Erosion Sedimentation Control and Waste Management ......................................33

7.6 Traffic Generation ....................................................................................................33


7.7 Utility Services .........................................................................................................33

7.8 Noise ........................................................................................................................34

7.9 Electrical Interference and Grounding of the Facility .............................................34

7.10 Social and Economic Impacts ..................................................................................34

8.0 CONCLUSION ............................................................................... 36

9.0 APPENDICES ................................................................................ 37

9.1 Appendix 1 – Plans of the Proposed Development .................................................37

9.2 Appendix 2 – ARPANSA EME Report .......................................................................38

9.3 Appendix 3 – Views from the proposed site location .............................................39

9.4 Appendix 4 – Other Documents/Fact Sheets ..........................................................43


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Proposal

NBN Co propose to install a new fixed wireless broadband facility to Marrar comprising the following:

� 30m high monopole; � 1 X parabolic dish antenna; � 3 X panel antennas; � 2 NBN equipment cabinets; � Ancillary equipment associated with operation of

facility, including cable trays, cabling, safe access methods, bird proofing, earthing, electrical works and air-conditioning equipment; and

� Secured fenced compound, housing all equipment and structures (size 12m x 8m).

Purposes

The proposed facility is necessary to provide NBN Co fixed wireless broadband coverage to Marrar and surrounding farmlands.

Property Details

Legal property description: Lot 77 DP 750847 Street Address: Crown Land adjacent to Water Tank, Off Hare St, Marrar NSW 2652 Property Owner: NSW Trade & Investment – Crown Lands

Crown Details This is a Crown Reserve (Crown Reserve 1033028) Reserved for Environmental Protection, Public Recreation and Rural Services - gazetted 29th July 2011 administered under the Crown Lands Act 1989 (CLA). The responsible administrating Authority for the CLA is the NSW Trade & Investment – Crown Lands. Reserve Trust Manager: No Trust License for the Purpose of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Grazing to Gerald and Jacqui Prior Grazing License no: LI 496742

Town Planning Scheme

Council: Coolamon Shire Council Zone: RU4 Rural Small Holdings Principal Designated Use: Rural

Applicable Planning Policies

Relevant State & Local Planning Policies Complies

State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007

No

Coolamon LEP 2011 – RU4 Rural Small Holdings zone

Yes

Coolamon Shire Council DCP 1995

Yes

Application

Use and development of the land for the purposes of construction & operation of a Telecommunications Facility (Fixed Wireless Broadband)


Applicant

NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) c/- Daly International Level 1, 12 Help St 821-843 Pacific Highway Chatswood, NSW, 2067 Contact: Shafinaz Alam, + 61 2 8241 9800 [email protected] Our Ref: Marrar - NBN

Quality and Assurance Check

Report prepared by: Shafinaz Alam First review: Richard Mulconry Final review: Kirsty Sniekers


1.0 INTRODUCTION

NBN Co has engaged Ericsson as the equipment vendor and project manager to establish the infrastructure required to facilitate the fixed wireless component of the National Broadband Network. Ericsson has in turn engaged Daly International to act on its behalf in relation to the establishment of the required fixed wireless network infrastructure. The NBN is a high speed broadband network that is intended to utilise a combination of optical fibre, fixed wireless and satellite technology to offer advanced broadband services to premises across Australia. As part of the progressive roll out, these improvements to broadband services will ultimately deliver benefits to various areas such as business, education, entertainment and health. In response to the fixed wireless component of this network, NBN Co requires a fixed wireless site to provide high speed wireless broadband coverage to Marrar village and surrounding farmlands. The site proposed for the telecommunication facility is located adjacent to the water tank off Hare St at Marrar; also known as Lot 77 DP 750847. An in-depth site selection process was undertaken in the area prior to confirming the site as the preferred location. This process matched potential candidates against four key factors, namely:

• Town planning considerations (such as zoning, surrounding land uses, environmental significance and visual impact);

• The ability of the site to provide acceptable coverage levels to the area;

• Construction feasibility; and

• The ability for NBN Co to secure a lease agreement with the landowner. This application seeks planning consent for:

• a 30 metre high monopole (overall height of the facility including antenna is proposed to be 31m);

• 3 panel antennas and 1 parabolic dish antenna of 1800mm in diameter;

• 2 NBN equipment cabinets;

• Security fencing around the compound (12m X 8m); and

• Ancillary equipment associated with operation of facility, including equipment cabinet housing air-conditioning units, cable trays, cabling, earthing, electrical works etc.

This Statement of Environmental Effects provides details of the proposed installation, assesses its compliance with the relevant planning instruments, draws a number of conclusions regarding likely impacts in terms of key relevant issue areas and recommends that the proposal be approved.


2.0 BACKGROUND 2.1 NBN Co and the National Broadband Network

NBN Co is a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) and is a wholly Federal Government owned company established to design, build and operate the National Broadband Network (NBN). The NBN will enable high speed broadband to be delivered to all Australian households, businesses and enterprises through a combination of fibre, wireless and satellite technology. NBN Co plans to deploy a fixed wireless solution to service premises and businesses that are not planned for a fibre or satellite service. Fixed wireless is like a fixed broadband service but delivered over the air instead of through a fibre optic cable. It provides broadband services over the air from a radio network base station to an antenna and network equipment installed at the end user premises. Premises outside the fibre and fixed wireless footprints will be serviced by satellite.

2.2 What is fixed Wireless and how is it different to Mobile Broadband?

Fixed wireless networks are engineered to meet the speed and service requirements for a known number of users in the coverage area, which means that the bandwidth per end user has the potential to be more consistent and stable than mobile wireless, even in peak times of use, because speeds are not affected by the number of people moving into and out of the service area as occurs with mobile wireless services. Mobile broadband networks need to cater for a large and highly variable number of different customers and different devices, from computer modems to smart phones and tablet devices. As the users are mobile, the number of users connected to a base station at any one time is highly variable as people move between locations. Fixed wireless networks can be developed for a more predictable number of users and services in a given area to target higher levels of assurance and quality than mobile broadband services. Because the services are fixed, you can also use quality antennas attached to premises to optimise reception. A fixed wireless factsheet is provided in Appendix 4 of this report.

2.3 Network Coverage Objectives and Alternative Sites

Although the Fixed Wireless facilities are submitted to Council as stand-alone developments from a planning perspective, from a technical perspective, they are highly interdependent – connected to each other to form a daisy chain of facilities that link back to the fibre network via a series of radio transmission dishes. Each Fixed Wireless facility comprises of three panel antennas, which communicate directly with the premises. The data transmitted to and from these panel antennas is then relayed via a chain of radio transmission dishes back to the fibre network. This is referred to as the “transmission network”. The transmission network requires line of sight from


facility to facility until it reaches a Fixed Wireless facility that is physically connected to the fibre network (referred to as the “Fibre HUB”). The Fixed Wireless network remains unconnected without the transmission network. A break in this chain of transmission interdependencies can have flow on effects to multiple communities, cutting them off from access to wireless broadband services. Each NBN Co Fixed Wireless facility has been designed to heights that allow the panel antennas to have clear line of sight to the surrounding premises (radio coverage), and also ensure that the radio transmission dish has clear line of sight to the adjoining network facility to link the sites back into the broader network. Refer to Figure 1 for a detailed visual explanation of the fixed wireless network.


Figure 1: The fixed wireless network

Fixed wireless facility –

the Fibre Hub

Physical connection to optical fibre – the fibre spur

Facility coverage area

Fixed wireless facility – wireless hub site

Transmission signal connecting the facilities



Fixed wireless facility – transmission end


Fixed wireless facility –transmission end

FSAM (Fibre Service Area

Module)

FAN - Fibre Access Node

(typically a Telephone Exchange)


3.0 SITE SELECTION Planning for a new fixed wireless broadband facility is a complex process. NBN Co conducts a rigorous multi-stage scoping process, as outlined below.

3.1 Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage

The NBN Co Fixed Wireless locations are determined by a number of factors including the availability of both the NBN Co Fibre transit network and the availability of Point of Interconnect (POI) facilities to allow for the installation of NBN Co equipment. NBN Co uses a number of methods to identify those parts of Australia that require Fixed Wireless coverage. When an area is identified as requiring Fixed Wireless coverage, investigations are undertaken to determine the measures required to provide this coverage. NBN Co has identified a requirement to provide fixed wireless facility to the village of Marrar. The facility will provide wireless broadband services to residents in Marrar and also surrounding farmlands.

3.2 Site Selection Parameters

NBN Co identifies an area where the requirement for a Fixed Wireless broadband facility would be highest, a ‘search area.’ A preliminary investigation of the area is then undertaken, in conjunction with planning and property consultants, radiofrequency engineers and designers in order to identify possible locations to establish a facility. Generally speaking, new sites must be located within, or immediately adjacent to, the identified search area in order to be technically feasible. However, while the operational and geographical aspects of deploying new facilities are primary factors, there are also many other issues that influence network design, which have to be resolved in parallel. Some of the issues that are considered include visual amenity, potential co-location opportunities, the availability and suitability of land as well as a willing site provider, occupational health and safety, construction issues (including structural and loading feasibility and access for maintenance purposes), topographical constraints affecting network line of site, legislative policy constraints, environmental impacts, and cost implications. The number, type and height of facilities required to complete the Fixed Wireless network are largely determined by the above operational, geographical and other factors discussed that influence final network design. These compounding factors often severely restrict the available search area within which a facility can be established to provide reliable Fixed Wireless broadband to a local community.

3.2.1 Candidate Sites

Following the identification of the search area for the Marrar facility, a number of candidate sites were examined around the search area. Each candidate was assessed based on the ability to meet the coverage objectives and site considerations detailed above. A total of three (3) candidates were selected for in-depth investigation for the Marrar facility, as per Figure 2 below.


NBN Co endeavours to avoid locating search areas in close proximity to residential localities and potentially sensitive land uses, where practicable. The site selected adjacent to the water tank is located on the outskirts of the village, it is considered that the site provides an appropriate location for the proposed facility, given the separation provided to residential and other sensitive land uses and being located adjacent to existing infrastructure where the principal designated use is considered to be rural.

Figure 2 – NBN Co Candidate Sites (source: Six View Maps)

A summary of the proposed candidates is located below, including a description of the opportunities and constraints that each site afforded.

Candidate Address and Lot

Number Facility Type Description

A

Crown Land adjacent to Water Tank, Off

Hare St, Marrar NSW 2652

New 30m monopole

NBN Co investigated establishing a new 30m monopole adjacent to the existing water tank on Crown Land.

Candidate A was selected as the prime candidate as discussed below and in Section 4.0- Subject Site and Surrounds.



B Wood St, Marrar

NSW 2652 New 30m monopole

NBN Co investigated establishing a new 30m monopole on the vacant block.

Due to the site being located to the central of the village this candidate was discounted. Candidates as such are usually only considered if there are no other options available in areas

Candidate A

Candidate C

Candidate B


such as rural or industrial. The preferred Candidate A is located on the outskirts of the village and is able to provide the necessary coverage.



C Graincorp Silos, Off Marrar North Road, Marrar NSW 2652

Co-locate on the Graincorp

Silos

NBN Co investigated co-location option on the Graincorp silos.

While co-locating with existing infrastructure is considered to be desirable planning outcome, NBN Co cannot locate Fixed Wireless network facilities on grain silos due to occupational health and safety concerns.

NBN utilises panel antennas and amplifiers (remote radio units) that operate on LTE technology (4G) whereas the traditional networks (Telstra, Optus,Vodafone) uses a different frequency. The NBN amplifiers are subject to heat build-up, and as such, potentially present the risk of fire or even explosion when combined with the combustible dust present at a grain silo.

For this reason Candidate C was discounted as the prime candidate.

Preferred Option Following evaluation of the above options, a new 30m monopole and associated infrastructure off Hare St (Lot 77 on DP 750847) at Marrar was selected as the preferred option as:

� The proposal is considered to be consistent with the environmental and planning requirements, and is expected to have minimal environmental impacts during construction and operation;

� The proposed facility is located on the on the outskirts of the village, sited adjacent to existing infrastructure;

• The selected location is sufficiently setback from adjoining properties and public view sheds as to not cause an unreasonable visual or amenity impact;

� The proposal meets the radio frequency objectives of NBN Co and provide the required coverage within the area; and

• The land owner is agreeable to the proposal.

While NBN Co attempts to utilise where possible as a first preference, any existing infrastructure or co-location opportunities, there are currently no existing carrier telecommunication facilities located in the vicinity that provides sufficient height to satisfy coverage requirements. The existing Grain Corp Silos off Marrar North Road provides co-location opportunity, however this candidate was discounted due to occupational health and safety issues. More details are discussed above in Section 3.2.1 Candidate Sites table.


4.0 Subject Site and Surrounds It is proposed to install the NBN facility off Hare St, Marrar, located on the southern outskirts of Marrar village. The proposed site is located adjacent to the existing Goldenfields Water tank and the subject property is bordered by Hare St to the north, Marrar South Rd to the east, Easticks Ln to the south and Wood St to the west. There are existing trees within immediate distance surrounding the 11m (approx.) high water tank to restrict view from the village. The closest residential house is approximately 205m to the north. The site’s location in the context of the surrounding locality is shown on the locality plan in Figure 3.

Figure 3 – Locality Plan (source: Six View Maps)

The subject site is zoned RU4 Rural Small Holdings under the Coolamon Shire Local Environmental Plan 2011. The surrounding topography is gently undulating from east to west of the site and the village to the north is fairly flat and does not vary greatly in elevation. There are existing scattered trees within the subject property as well as trees along the border of the property. The selected property that is proposed within a rural area is considered to be sufficiently setback from adjoining properties and public view sheds as to not cause an unreasonable visual or amenity impact. Refer to Figure 3 and 4 for visual illustration.

Easticks Ln

Marrar South Rd

Water tank

Proposed facility location

NORTH

Wood St

Hare St

Wise St


Figure 4 – Aerial Photo of subject site (source: Six View Maps)

NORTH


Hare St

Easticks Ln

Marrar South Rd

Lyne St

Water tank

Wise St


5.0 THE PROPOSAL In general terms, the proposed development will comprise the installation of a 30m monopole, fitted with antennas and equipment housing installed at the base of the tower sited alongside the existing water tank off Hare Street. Plans showing the location of the facilities, the type, location and configuration of antenna structures on the monopole and the location of the equipment housing are provided in Appendix 1.

5.1 Facility and Equipment Details

The specific components of the proposed installation are described below.

• The installation of a 30m monopole of light grey colour. The total height of structure including antennas will be 31m.

• The installation of 3 (three) panel antennas at 30m elevation (centreline of antenna). The antennas will have dimensions of 1180mm (height) x 300mm (width) x 115mm (depth). All antennas will be of light grey in colour.

• The installation of a parabolic antenna (microwave radio link) of 1800mm in diameter at 27m elevation attached to the monopole. The dish will be light grey in colour.

• The installation of 1 outdoor cabinet with provision to install an additional outdoor cabinet in future on a concrete slab. The cabinets will be of cream colour that will house air-conditioning units, electrical and telecommunications equipment associated with the facility. The cabinets will have the dimensions of 1460mm (height) x 667mm (width) x 930mm (depth).

• The cable tray installed will run externally from the outdoor cabinet to the monopole where the feeder cables will then run internally within the monopole.

• Security fencing to be installed around the compound (12m X 8m).

5.2 Access Details

The NBN compound will be accessed via Hare St onto the existing unpaved road extension off Wise Street leading to the water tank. The site is located approximately 190m from the intersection of Hare and Wise St. Refer to Plans of the Proposed Development in Appendix 1 for proposed access route to the subject site and Figure 5 illustrating the proposed access route. The site access is considered to be appropriate given the NBN Co facility will not be a significant generator of traffic. Once operational, the facility will function on a continuously unstaffed basis and will typically only require maintenance works once a year, of approximately one day’s duration. It will remain unattended at all other times. As the facility generates minimal trips per year, it is considered that traffic interference will be negligible.


5.3 Power Details

Power supply is proposed to be run underground from an existing power pole located at the corner of Wise St and Hare St. The power will run underground along the existing unpaved road to the proposed NBN power distribution board (PDB) within the NBN fenced compound. The power line from the proposed NBN PDB will run underground to the outdoor equipment cabinet. Refer to Appendix 1 for Plans of the Proposed Development illustrating the proposed power line route to the site compound. Please note that the power route is indicative only and is subject to assessment by the relevant electrical authority.

5.4 Construction of the Facility

Construction activities will involve the following:

• Site preparation - including field testing, excavation and construction of foundations;

• Installation of the equipment units and tower – involving the delivery of the pre-fabricated equipment housing and monopole by low loader trucks. These will be lifted into place by a crane and fixed to their respective footings.

• Installation of the communications equipment and antennas - involving technicians working within the shelter, and riggers fixing the antennas to the monopole.

Appropriate construction management measures, incorporating soil erosion and sediment controls, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the “Blue Book” – ‘Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction’ (Landcom 2004) will be implemented. Any traffic impacts associated with construction will be of a short-term duration and are not anticipated to adversely impact on the surrounding road network. In the unlikely event that road closure will be required, NBN Co will apply to the relevant authorities for permission. Noise and vibration emissions associated with the proposed facility will be limited to the construction phase outlined above. Noise generated during the construction phase will be of short duration and will be in accordance with the standards outlined in the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998 and Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy 1997. Construction works will only occur between the hours of 7.00am and 6.00pm. There will be some low level noise from the ongoing operation of air conditioning equipment associated with the equipment shelter, once installed. Noise emanating from the air conditioning equipment is at a comparable level to a domestic air conditioning installation, and will generally accord with the background noise levels prescribed by Australian Standard AS1055.


6.0 SECTION 79C ASSESSMENT The proposal has been assessed having regard to the relevant Heads of Consideration under Section 79 C (1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act, 1979. This provides that, in determining a development application, a consent authority is to take into consideration such of the following matters as are of relevance to the development the subject of the development application.

6.1 Any Environmental Planning Instruments

6.1.1 Commonwealth Legislation – The Telecommunications Act

The Telecommunications Act 1997 has been operative since 1 July 1997. This legislation establishes the criteria for ‘low impact’ telecommunication facilities. If a proposed facility satisfies the requirements of a ‘low impact’ facility, the development is exempt from the planning approval process. Further clarification of the term ‘low impact’ is provided in the Telecommunications Act 1997 and the Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 1997, which was gazetted subsequent to the Act. The Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 1997 establishes certain facilities, which cannot be considered low impact facilities. The proposed facility is not low impact under the definitions contained in the Commonwealth legislation. Development consent is therefore required for the proposed facility.

6.1.2 State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) and deemed SEPPs

(previously Regional Environmental Plans)

SEPP (Infrastructure) (2007) The SEPP (Infrastructure) 2007 as amended by the SEPP (Infrastructure) Amendment (Telecommunications Facilities) 2010 is of specific relevance to the proposal as the provisions of clauses 113 and 115 are being relied upon for permissibility of the proposed development at the subject location and are the basis for lodging and seeking Council consent for this development. The complying development provisions of the SEPP are not relevant to this proposal as the subject property is not within the allowable distance from RU5 Village zone for which complying development may be carried out. In addition, NBN Co is not a public authority for the purposes of the SEPP so clause 114 is not applicable. Clause 113 of the SEPP defines a “Telecommunications Facility” as:

(a) any part of the infrastructure of a telecommunications network, or (b) any line, cable, optical fibre, equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna, dish, tunnel, duct, hole, pit, pole or other structure in connection with a telecommunications network.


Clause 115(1) provides that:

Development for the purposes of telecommunications facilities, other than development in clause 114 or development that is exempt development under clause 20 or 116, may be carried out by any person with consent on any land.

Telecommunications facilities are therefore permissible in all zones within the Coolamon Shire LGA with the consent of the Council. Clause 115(3) of the SEPP provides that:

Before determining a development application for development to which this clause applies, the consent authority must take into consideration any guidelines concerning site selection, design, construction or operating principles for telecommunications facilities that are issued by the Director-General for the purposes of this clause and published in the Gazette.

In this respect, the NSW Telecommunications Facilities Guideline including Broadband (July 2010) has been issued by the Director General. The principles that must be taken into consideration are outlined in Section 2.2 of the Guideline. The proposal’s consistency with the Guideline principles is addressed in Table 1 below. Table 1 – Compliance with the Principles of NSW Telecommunications Facilities Guideline including Broadband (2010)

Principle 1: A Telecommunications Facility should be sited to minimise visual Impact

Specific Principles Comment

(a) As far as practical, a telecommunications facility that is to be mounted on an existing building or structure should be integrated with the design and appearance of the building or structure.

(b) The visual impact of telecommunications facilities should be minimised, visual clutter is to be reduced particularly on tops of buildings, and their physical dimensions (including support mounts) should be sympathetic to the scale and height of the building to which it is to be attached, and sympathetic to adjacent buildings. (c) Where telecommunications facilities protrude from a building or structure and are predominantly backgrounded against the sky, the facility and their support mounts should be either the same as the prevailing colour of the host building or structure, or a neutral colour such as grey should be used. (d) Ancillary facilities associated with the telecommunications facility should be screened or housed, using the same colour as

(a) to (c) These principles relate to facilities that are located on an existing building or structure and are not directly applicable to new freestanding monopole elements such as proposed in this instance. (d) The associated equipment will be housed in small outdoor cabinet of factory cream colour and feeders and cables will be connected to the


the prevailing background to reduce its visibility, including the use of existing vegetation where available, or new landscaping where possible and practical. (e) A telecommunications facility should be located and designed to respond appropriately to its rural landscape setting. (f) A telecommunications facility located on, or adjacent to, a State or local heritage item or within a heritage conservation area, should be sited and designed with external colours, finishes and scale sympathetic to those of the heritage item or conservation area. (g) A telecommunications facility should be located so as to minimise or avoid the obstruction of a significant view of a heritage item or place, a landmark, a streetscape, vista or a panorama, whether viewed from public or private land. (h) The relevant local government authority must be consulted where the pruning, lopping, or removal of any tree or other vegetation would contravene a Tree Preservation Order applying to the land or where a permit or development consent is required. (i) A telecommunications facility that is no longer required is to be removed and the site restored, to a condition that is similar to its condition before the facility was constructed. (j) The siting and design of telecommunications facilities should be in accordance with any relevant Industry Design Guides.

monopole from the cabinet within a cable tray, then the feeders and cables run internally within the monopole. The base of the tower including outdoor cabinets will be screened by the existing trees and vegetation as well as the existing water tank adjacent to the site. (e) The facility has been located and designed to respond to its surrounding rural landscape context. This is discussed in detail in Section 7.1 – Visual Impacts. (f) The proposed site is not within any heritage conservation area and is not within close proximity to any heritage items identified in the Coolamon LEP 2011. (g) The facility is proposed to be sited adjacent to existing water tank located on the outskirts of the village. The existing tall dense trees that screen the water tank would also screen parts of the proposed facility to minimise visual impact. Refer Section 7.1 – Visual Impacts. (h) Some ground cover within the compound area is required to be removed. Some minor trimming of vegetation over the fence line from Goldenfield Water property may need to be undertaken. (i) This aspect could be implemented by a condition of consent if the Council considers it appropriate. (j) The design and siting approach is discussed in detail in Section 7.1 – Visual Impacts.

Principle 2: Telecommunications Facilities should be co-located wherever possible


(a) Telecommunications lines are to be located, as far as practical, underground or within an existing underground conduit or duct. (b) Overhead lines, antennas and ancillary telecommunications facilities should, where practical, be co-located or attached to existing structures such as buildings, public utility structures, poles, towers or other radiocommunications equipment to minimise the proliferation of telecommunication facilities and unnecessary clutter.

(a) N/A (b) There are currently no existing carrier telecommunications facilities located in the vicinity, with the required position and/or height and/or structural suitability that are potentially capable of providing the wireless radio services to the locality on which the proposed equipment can be co-located. See the summary for candidates scoped in Section 3.2.1 - Candidate Sites.


(c) Towers may be extended for the purposes of co-location. (d) The extension of an existing tower must be considered as a practical co-location solution prior to building new towers. (e) If a facility is proposed not to be co-located the proponent must demonstrate that co location is not practicable. (f) If the development is for a co-location purpose, then any new telecommunications facility must be designed, installed and operated so that the resultant cumulative levels of radio frequency emissions of the co-located telecommunications facilities are within the maximum human exposure levels set out in the Radiation Protection Standard.

(c) Refer to comments in (b) above. (d) Refer to comments in (b) above and Section 3.2.1 – Candidate sites. (e) Refer to comments in (b) above and Section 3.2.1 – Candidate sites. f) N/A

Principle 3: Health standards for exposure to radio emissions will be met


(a) A telecommunications facility must be designed, installed and operated so that the maximum human exposure levels to radiofrequency emissions comply with Radiation Protection Standard. (b) An EME Environmental Report shall be produced by the proponent of development to which the Mobile Phone Network Code applies in terms of design, siting of facilities and notifications. The Report is to be in the format required by the Australian Radiation Protection Nuclear Safety Agency. It is to show the predicted levels of electromagnetic energy surrounding the development comply with the safety limits imposed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Electromagnetic Radiation Standard, and demonstrate compliance with the Mobile Phone Networks Code.

(a) The proposed installation will comply with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulatory arrangements with respect to electromagnetic radiation exposure levels. (b) EME Exposure Levels from this site have been calculated in accordance with the ARPANSA prediction methodology and report format. This report is provided in Appendix 2. EME issues are also discussed in Section 7.4– Health and Safety.


Principle 4: Minimise disturbance and risk, and maximise compliance


(a) The siting and height of any telecommunications facility must comply with any relevant site and height requirements specified by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996 of the Commonwealth. It must not penetrate any obstacle limitation surface shown on any relevant Obstacle Limitation Surface Plan that has been prepared by the operator of an aerodrome or airport operating within 30 kilometres of the proposed development and reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia. (b) The telecommunications facility is not to cause adverse radio frequency interference with any airport, port or Commonwealth Defence navigational or communications equipment, including the Morundah Communication Facility, Riverina. (c) The telecommunications facility and ancillary facilities are to be carried out in accordance with the applicable specifications (if any) of the manufacturers for the installation of such equipment. (d) The telecommunications facility is not to affect the structural integrity of any building on which it is erected. (e) The telecommunications facility is to be erected wholly within the boundaries of a property where the landowner has agreed to the facility being located on the land. (f) The carrying out of construction of the telecommunications facilities must be in accordance with all relevant regulations of the Blue Book – ‘Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction’ (Landcom 2004), or its replacement. (g) Obstruction or risks to pedestrians or vehicles caused by the location of the facility, construction activity or materials used in construction are to be mitigated. (h) Where practical, work is to be carried out during times that cause minimum disruption to adjoining properties and public access. Hours of work are to be restricted to between 7.00am and 5.00pm, Mondays to Saturdays, with no work on Sundays and public holidays.

(a) There are no airports located within 30km distance of the proposed development. (b) The base station is designed to create no electrical interference problems with other radio based systems and complies with the requirements of relevant Australian standards in this regard (see Section 7.9 - Electrical Interference and Grounding of the Facility). (c) The base station facilities are designed and will be installed in accordance with any relevant manufacturer specifications. The proposal will comply with the requirements of all relevant Australian Standards. (d) The facilities are not being erected on any existing building or structure. (e) The location and layout of the facilities reflect discussions with Coolamon Shire Council and will be reflected in any associated licence entered into between NBN Co and Crown Lands. (f) to (k) These matters can be appropriately addressed through the imposition of conditions of development consent where relevant.


(i) Traffic control measures are to be taken during construction in accordance with Australian Standard S1742.3-2002 Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control devices on roads. (j) Open trenching should be guarded in accordance with Australian Standard Section 93.080 – Road Engineering AS1165 – 1982 – Traffic hazard warning lamps. (k) Disturbance to flora and fauna should be minimised and the land is to be restored to a condition that is similar to its condition before the work was carried out. (l) The likelihood of impacting on threatened species and communities should be identified in consultation with relevant state or local government authorities and disturbance to identified species and communities avoided wherever possible. (m) The likelihood of harming an Aboriginal Place and / or Aboriginal object should be identified. Approvals from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) must be obtained where impact is likely, or Aboriginal objects are found. (n) Street furniture, paving or other existing facilities removed or damaged during construction should be reinstated (at the telecommunications carrier’s expense) to at least the same condition as that which existed prior to the telecommunications facility being installed.

(l) The S149 planning certificate advises that the land is not biodiversity certified land within the meaning of Part 7AA of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Also given the rural zoning of the site and existing infrastructure (water tank) adjacent to the site, the site is not expected to be home to any known threatened, rare or endangered species or ecological communities. (m) A search of the AHIMS data base has been completed and it indicates that there are no items of Aboriginal archaeological heritage known to be located on, or in the vicinity of, the site. (n)This can be addressed through the imposition of conditions of development consent where relevant.

There are no other State Environmental Planning Policies that are specifically relevant to the nature or location of the proposed development.

6.2 Local Environmental Plan

The relevant local environmental plan applicable to the subject site is the Coolamon Local Environmental Plan 2011. The site is within the RU4 Rural Small Holdings zone. Although the permissibility of the proposed base station is established by way of SEPP (Infrastructure) 2007, the zone objectives of the LEP applicable to the RU4 zone are relevant to the proposed development and are discussed below. Objective of zone - RU4 Rural Small Holdings

• To enable sustainable primary industry and other compatible land uses.


• To encourage and promote diversity and employment opportunities in relation to primary industry enterprises, particularly those that require smaller lots or that are more intensive in nature.

• To minimise conflict between land uses within this zone and land uses within adjoining zones.

The proposed development seeks to establish an element of utility infrastructure and it is considered that the facility complies with the objectives of the Coolamon Local Environmental Plan 2011. The proposal is not considered to affect primary industry production or other compatible uses, diversity and employment opportunities in relation to primary industry enterprises and is not expected to affect land uses within this zone and land uses within adjoining zones. The proposal will provide improved broadband services in the area and this would facilitate improved communication to business and may assist in expansion of business hence improve employment opportunities. The presence of the NBN facility will not hinder the proper and orderly development of the locality in the future and negative impacts on the character and amenity of the area are not considered to be significant. The NBN wireless tower is proposed to be installed on the vacant rural zoned property on the southern outskirts of the village. Care has been taken to ensure that the proposed site is located adjacent to existing infrastructure away from residential uses so that the proposed site does not appear out of context and will have minimum visual impact. The NBN fixed wireless monopole is proposed to be installed adjacent to existing water tank, in this instance the characteristics of the development are considered to be compatible with the character and amenity of the area and with existing nearby development. A number of alternatives were investigated during the site selection process to ensure the most appropriate site was selected, sequentially considering co-location and other low impact solutions before examining non-low impact sites (refer Section 3.2.1 Candidate Sites). The facility will not create a demand for any services or public facilities as it does not require water or sewerage facilities and power can be provided at the applicant’s expense. The proposal is required to provide NBN fixed broadband service to residents, businesses and visitors to Marrar and surrounding farmlands. The presence of the NBN facility will not hinder the proper and orderly development of the locality in the future and impacts on the character and amenity of the village or urban living area are not considered to be significant (refer Section 7.1 - Visual Impacts). In summary, the proposal is considered compatible with the objectives of the RU4 Rural Small Holdings zone.

Other Provisions of the Coolamon LEP Compliance of the proposal with other potentially relevant provisions of the LEP is outlined in the table below.

LEP Provision Compliance

3.1 Exempt development 3.2 Complying development

The exempt and complying development provisions of the SEPP are not relevant to this proposal as the subject property is not within the allowable distance from residential zones for which exempt or complying development may be carried out.


5.9 Preservation of trees and vegetation

The proposal requires a small parcel of land in order to establish the compound area. Some minor clearance of groundcover and vegetation trimming will be undertaken.

5.10 Heritage conservation

The site is not identified as a heritage item or as being within a heritage conservation area under the provisions of the LEP 2008 and Heritage Act 1977. The site does not host any heritage building.

5.11 Bush fire hazard reduction

The land is not identified as being bushfire prone.

5.12 Infrastructure development and use of existing buildings of the Crown

The site is proposed on Crown land.

6.1 Biodiversity The land does not include or comprise critical habitat.

6.7 Flood planning The site is not on flood liable land.

6.3 Crown Lands Act 1989

Under the Crown Lands Act 1989, there are core assessment objectives which outline the core management principles of Crown Land within New South Wales. An assessment has been conducted against these objectives, as outlined below:

Crown Lands Act 1989 – Cl. 11 Principles of Crown land management


(a) that environmental protection principles be observed in relation to the management and administration of Crown land;

The proposal requires a small parcel of land. The subject site has been cleared in the past and for the establishment of the compound only remaining patches of the groundcover will need to be cleared. Some minor trimming of vegetation over the fence line from adjacent property (Goldenfields Water) may need to be undertaken for the establishment of the compound fence.

(b) that the natural resources of Crown land (including water, soil, flora, fauna and scenic quality) be conserved wherever possible;

The siting and location of the NBN Co Fixed Wireless facility has been conducted in a manner which will require no clearance of trees on site and only some minor clearance of groundcover and vegetation trimming will be undertaken. The proposed facility is not expected to appear out of context as it will be sited adjacent to existing infrastructure (water facility).

(c) that public use and enjoyment of appropriate Crown land be encouraged;

The Crown Lands reserve is not currently used for public use and the proposed facility is not expected to have any impact on the vacant land.


(d) that, where appropriate, multiple use of Crown land be encouraged;

The land use for the subject site is for Environmental Protection, Public Recreation and Rural Services. There is no common public use on site at current. Crown Land has issued (non-exclusive) gazing license (LI496742) to G. and J. Prior. Through the establishment of a NBN Co fixed wireless facility, a small portion of the site will be for NBN infrastructure purposes. It should be reinforced that the utilisation of Crown Land for infrastructure provision will result in an overall community benefit due to the availability of high speed broadband services within surrounding district.

(e) that, where appropriate, Crown land should be used and managed in such a way that both the land and its resources are sustained in perpetuity; and

The establishment of a license at the subject site will be entered in to a period for 20 years. It is the core objective of NBN Co to ensure the ongoing maintenance and operation of the facility to ensure that any works conducted on site reflect the sensitivities of the land and applicable resources. Given the small “footprint” of the NBN Co compound and the infrequent traffic generation of the site, it is believed that there will be minimal impact to the subject property.

) (f) that Crown land be occupied, used, sold, leased, licensed or otherwise dealt with in the best interests of the State consistent with the above principles.

Based on the supporting evidence located within this document, it is firmly believed that the licensing of the subject site at Marrar is wholly compliant with the objectives of Cl. 11 of the Crown Lands Act 1989.

6.4 Any Draft Environmental Planning Instruments

There are no Draft Environmental Planning Instruments at current, also there are no draft state or regional instruments relevant to the assessment of the proposed development.

6.5 Any Development Control Plan

The Coolamon Development Control Plan 1995 applies to all land in the Shire of Coolamon to which Coolamon Local Environmental Plan 2011 applies. However the type of development proposed is such that the specific provisions of the DCP that relates to rural, village, heritage, subdivision and other developments are generally not applicable. However a number of the Environmental Controls of the DCP that apply to all developments are potentially relevant and these are discussed in Section 7.0 – Planning Considerations.


6.6 The Likely Impacts of the Development

The impacts of the proposal in relation to a range of potential issue areas are assessed in detail in Section 7.0 – Planning Considerations.

It is considered that the proposal will not create any significant or unacceptable impacts on the locality.

6.7 The Suitability of the Site for the Development

The site proposed for the NBN Co fixed wireless facility is considered suitable for the following main reasons:

• It has been particularly targeted to provide the optimal required quality of service as required by NBN Co for Marrar and surrounding farmlands;

• It is not within close proximity to any properties containing specific sensitive land uses such as day care centres/pre-schools, schools, hospitals or aged housing;

• It is located within a rural area and is not within close proximity to residential developments;

• It is located and sited on the southern outskirts of Marrar village and so is not expected to have significant visual impact on the locality; and

• It requires only minor clearing of groundcover and so is not expected to affect natural bushland systems.

6.8 The Public Interest

The public benefits of access to high quality broadband have been widely acknowledged for many years. Reliable internet access is now, more than ever, an integral component of everyday home and working life. The proposed NBN Co facility will have significant benefit for residents within Marrar and surrounding farmlands, enabling improvements in service delivery and productivity in a number of areas such as health, education and financial services to name a few. Refer also Section 7.10 - Social and Economic Impacts. The introduction of the NBN within the community will allow for much improved internet access to information and services thereby providing a richer and more diverse experience for the end user. NBN Co believes that the public interest will be served by approval of the proposal, given benefits of enhanced broadband coverage in the area.


7.0 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS This section assesses the impact of the proposal in relation to the following potentially relevant issue areas.

• Visual impacts

• Heritage

• Flora and Fauna

• Health and safety

• Erosion, sedimentation control and waste management

• Traffic generation

• Utility services

• Noise

• Electrical interference and grounding of the facility

• Social and economic impact

7.1 Visual Impacts

While it is acknowledged that the proposed telecommunications facility would have a visual presence in the environment, the structure has been designed and sited to reduce the impacts of the facility as much as possible. The NBN tower is proposed adjacent to existing infrastructure located on the southern outskirts of Marrar. The new monopole is proposed to be unpainted steel structure with outdoor cabinets of cream colour so that the proposed facilities do not appear out of context. The proposed new tower sited within a large rural property adjacent to existing water tank is expected to fit in to the surrounding context. The surrounding topography is gently undulating with existing trees and vegetation within immediate vicinity to the water tank will aid in minimising visual impact of the structure and will assist in restricting the view of most parts of the tower from certain directions. The top of the monopole would be visible from some directions however the light grey colour of the monopole being similar colour to the sky will ensure that visual impact is minimal when viewed from the village. 7.1.1 Visibility The site is proposed to be located approximately 15m to the south of the existing water tank that is approximately 11m high. There are existing tall trees of up to 15m of height within immediate distance to the proposed location and the property is also surrounded by trees along the property boundary as well as some scattered trees on the vacant rural land. The existing water tank and dense trees to the south of the proposed facility is expected to shroud most parts of the proposed facility when viewed from the village.


The selected property is also sufficiently setback from adjoining properties to minimise visibility of the proposed tower. Short and medium distance perspectives The proposed site location has been selected so that it is located away from residential dwellings. There are no residential dwellings within immediate proximity that will be impacted by the visual impact of the proposed infrastructure. The base of the proposed facility will be shrouded by the existing trees and water tank adjacent to the site location from short to medium distances. The top of the facility would be visible from some directions protruding above the tree tops. Refer to Figures 5 and 6 below demonstrating the approximate location and context of the proposed facility.

Figure 5 – View of site looking south from Hare St and Wise St intersection to the proposed facility. (indicative only). The site will be accessed via the unsealed road as indicated above.

The proposed facility will be most visible from Hare St which borders the subject property to the north, however the base and majority of the proposed monopole will be shrouded by the tall trees of up to 15m in height and the water tank to the north of the facility. There are no residential dwellings within immediate distance to the proposed facility, and the proposed monopole of light grey colour protruding above the tree tops is expected to have minimal visual impact when viewed against the sky from residential dwellings in the distance – refer to Figure 6 and 7 below.

Proposed NBN tower location

behind the water tank and trees,

the upper part of the facility

would be visible protruding

above the tree tops.

Access track to site


Figure 6 – View of site looking south from Webb St and Wise St intersection to the proposed facility (indicative only).

Figure 7 – View of site looking south-east from Wood St and Hair St intersection towards the proposed structure (indicative only).

Proposed NBN tower location behind the

trees – the top of the tower may be visible

protruding above the tree tops

Proposed NBN tower location – only the

top of the tower would be visible



Long distance perspectives The top of the monopole is expected to be partially visible from long distance views due the existing trees around the general vicinity of the site, this is illustrated in Figure 8 below.

Figure 8 – View of tower looking south-west from the Marrar Public School at See St (indicative only).

The base or most parts of the monopole structure are not expected to be visible from long distance views, as such the proposed facility is not believed to have significant visual impact on the existing landscape. The proposed facility has been positioned on the outskirts of the village so that is has minimal visual impact to the village and has been positioned amongst trees and existing infrastructure to ensure that the majority of the monopole structure and associated equipment are screened. Refer to Figure 9 and 10 below.

Proposed NBN tower – top

of the tower maybe visible

protruding above the tree

tops.


Figure 9 – View of tower looking north-west from the See St and Easticks Lane intersection (indicative only).

Figure 10 – View of tower looking south-west from the Lyne St and Easticks Lane intersection (indicative only).




tops.




tops.


7.1.2 Visual impacts There is the potential for some visual impacts from the tower to arise when viewed from certain directions. Any such impacts are expected to be mitigated by the following measures taken during the siting and design of the facility:

• Siting of the facility away from immediate proximity to residential dwellings, community sensitive uses and within a large rural lot that is on the outskirts of the village;

• The height of the tower kept to a minimum so as to minimise the visual impact and achieve required coverage;

• Will not represent an excessively visible, intrusive or bulky development that will dominate the surrounding locality; and

• Siting of the facility on the outskirts of the village will not result in adverse impacts on the town amenity and prevailing landscape forms.

Additional photos taken from the site location can be seen in Appendix 3.

7.2 Heritage

In order to determine any possible natural or cultural values of state or national significance associated with the site, a search was conducted through the relevant Heritage Registers. There are no known items of cultural, historical or environmental heritage significance located in the vicinity of the proposal site.

7.3 Flora and Fauna

The proposed site is within a rural area and the establishment of the NBN compound area would only require some minor ground cover clearance. Also the surrounding land use is not expected to be home to any known threatened, rare or endangered species or ecological communities. Accordingly the proposal is not expected to have any detrimental impacts upon any flora or fauna species.

7.4 Health and Safety

In relation to public safety and specifically Electromagnetic Emissions (EME) and public health, NBN co-operates within the operational standards set by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA is a Federal Government agency incorporated under the Health and Ageing portfolio and is charged with the responsibility for protecting the health and safety of both people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation (ionising and non-ionising). All NBN Co installations are designed and certified by qualified professionals in accordance with all relevant Australian Standards. This ensures that the NBN Co facility will not result in any increase in the level of risk to the public. This facility is to be operated in compliance with the mandatory standard for human exposure to EME – currently the Radio communications (Electromagnetic Radiation Human Exposure) Standard 2003.


The EME Report associated with this site is attached in Appendix 2. The report shows that the maximum predicted EME levels will equate to 0.0086% of the maximum exposure limit, which is far below the allowable exposure limit under the Australian Standard (100% - which is still considered to be safe). Moreover, all NBN Co equipment has the following features, all of which minimise the amounts of energy used and emitted:

• Dynamic/Adaptive Power Control is a network feature that automatically adjusts the power and hence minimises EME from the facility,

• Varying the facility’s transmit power to the minimal required level, minimising EME from the network, and

• Discontinuous transmission, a feature that reduces EME emissions by automatically switching the transmitter off when no data is being sent.

The proposed facility will also have restrictions aimed at preventing public access, including a secured compound fence with a locked gate and warning signs placed around the facility.

7.5 Erosion Sedimentation Control and Waste Management

All erosion and sediment control mitigation measures will be detailed in construction plans and will comply with the Building Code of Australia and all relevant regulations of the “Blue Book” – ‘Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction’. In addition, contractors must comply with the ‘NBN Construction Specification' that requires contractors to undertake the necessary erosion and sediment control measures in order to protect the surrounding environment. On completion of the installation, the site will be restored and reinstated to an appropriate standard. No waste which requires collection or disposal will be generated by the operation of the facility.

7.6 Traffic Generation

After the construction period, the only traffic generated by the base station will be that associated with maintenance vehicles. In this respect, it is estimated that maintenance of the facility will generate only one visit per year and it will remain unattended at all other times. The traffic generation will therefore be minimal and not sufficient to create any adverse impacts in this regard or by creating a demand for parking facilities.

7.7 Utility Services

All services required for the ongoing operation of the base station are capable of being provided to the facility without impacting on the supply or reliability of these services to any existing consumers in the locality. No stormwater, sewerage or waste management facilities are required.


7.8 Noise

Noise and vibration emissions associated with the proposed facility will be limited to the initial construction phase. Noise generated during the construction phase will be of short duration and will be in accordance with relevant applicable NSW standards. There will be some low level noise from the ongoing operation of air conditioning equipment associated with the equipment units, once installed. Noise emanating from the air conditioning equipment is at a comparable level to a domestic air conditioning installation, and will generally accord with the background noise levels prescribed by Australian Standard AS1055.

7.9 Electrical Interference and Grounding of the Facility

The NBN fixed wireless broadband network is licensed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for the exclusive use of the OFDMA2300 frequency band. As NBN Co is the exclusive licensee of this sub-band, emissions from NBN Co equipment within the frequency band will not cause interference. Filters also ensure that each facility meets the ACMA specifications for emission of spurious signals outside the NBN Co frequency allocations. NBN Co will promptly investigate any interference issues that are reported. The facility is also grounded to the relevant Australian Standards – that is, the facility will be ‘earthed’.

7.10 Social and Economic Impacts

Access to high quality broadband is a necessary service in modern society. Initially, small to medium business customers accounted for a significant part of the demand for broadband technology, but broadband services have now been embraced by the general public. Usage of broadband services continues to widen as new technologies become progressively more affordable and accessible for the wider community. Benefits of high speed internet connectivity that the NBN network will provide include:

• Educational benefits such as curriculum and data sharing, increased availability and accessibility of research materials and virtual classroom environments. Such elements are particularly beneficial within a tertiary education context.

• Medical services such as the transfer of medical images, the holding of remote consultations by doctors and the provision of distance training for medical professionals. Broadband services also have the potential to allow people to stay in their homes longer by providing improved access to medical professionals, or medical monitoring services.

• Businesses can, through internet usage, increase efficiency through time, resource and monetary savings. Improved broadband services effectively remove physical distance and travel time as a barrier to business.

• Improvements to broadband services may also be of benefit for local employees, by enabling telecommuting and home business. The telecommuting trend is heavily reliant on access to high quality internet services, and is anticipated to continually increase in popularity.


In summary, the proposed development will provide the dwellings and farmlands of Marrar and surrounding farmlands with reliable access to high quality broadband services through fixed wireless broadband coverage. These services are increasingly important to the economic and social fabric of communities. The proposal will therefore have significant social and economic benefits for the local community and will result in a positive impact on the social and economic environment of the Marrar locality.


8.0 CONCLUSION The proposed NBN Co Fixed Wireless Facility servicing Marrar will form an integral component in the ongoing development of NBN Co’s fixed wireless broadband network in the wider Coolamon LGA region. The facility will provide an important community benefit by providing coordinated and open access shared communication infrastructure, and therefore greatly improved fixed wireless broadband coverage within the local area. The proposed development is considered appropriate in light of the relevant legislative, environmental, technical, radio coverage and public safety requirements and is considered acceptable in social, economic and environmental terms as demonstrated in this Statement of Environmental Effects. There are no major environmental impacts likely to occur which could render the construction and operation of the proposed facility unacceptable, and the proposal satisfactorily meets the requirements of the relevant state and local planning instruments and policies. For these reasons, it is respectfully requested that Council looks favourably at this application and that it be progressed to a positive resolution.


9.0 APPENDICES 9.1 Appendix 1 – Plans of the Proposed Development


9.2 Appendix 2 – ARPANSA EME Report


9.3 Appendix 3 – Views from the proposed site location

Figure 1: Proposed site location, view looking north.


Figure 2: View looking east towards proposed site location.

Figure 3: View looking south-east from proposed site location.


Figure 4: View looking west from proposed site location.

Figure 5: View looking south from proposed site location.


Figure 6: View of unpaved road access – extension of Wise Street.

Wise St

Hare St


9.4 Appendix 4 – Other Documents/Fact Sheets

2CLM-51-05-MARR– Marrar

achieve the communic

Level 11, 100 Arthur StreetNorth Sydney 2060

Phone 02 9926 [email protected]

www.nbnco.com.au

Daly International Pty Ltd, A.C.N. 054 002 461

Level 1, 12 Help St

Chatswood NSW 2067

Telephone: 02 8241 9800 Facsimile: 02 8241 9899

E-Mail: [email protected]

Statement of Environmental Effects Proposed Fixed Wireless Facility

Crown LandMarrar NSW 2652

(Lot 77 DP 750847

NBN Site Reference

NBN-2CLM-51-

Prepared on behalf of NBN Co Limited


March 2013


Proposed Fixed Wireless Facility

Crown Land Off Hare St, Marrar NSW 2652

750847)

NBN Site Reference

-05-MARR Marrar

NBN Co Limited



Off Hare St,

2CLM-51-05-MARR– Marrar Page 2 of 45

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................. 4

1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 6

2.0 BACKGROUND ............................................................................... 7

2.1 NBN Co and the National Broadband Network .........................................................7

2.2 What is fixed Wireless and how is it different to Mobile Broadband? .....................7

2.3 Network Coverage Objectives and Alternative Sites .................................................7

3.0 SITE SELECTION............................................................................ 10

3.1 Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage ......................................10

3.2 Site Selection Parameters ........................................................................................10

4.0 Subject Site and Surrounds .......................................................... 13

5.0 THE PROPOSAL ............................................................................ 15

5.1 Facility and Equipment Details ................................................................................15

5.2 Access Details ..........................................................................................................15

5.3 Power Details ...........................................................................................................16

5.4 Construction of the Facility ......................................................................................16

6.0 SECTION 79C ASSESSMENT ........................................................... 17

6.1 Any Environmental Planning Instruments ...............................................................17

6.2 Local Environmental Plan ........................................................................................22

6.3 Crown Lands Act 1989 .............................................................................................24

6.4 Any Draft Environmental Planning Instruments ......................................................25

6.5 Any Development Control Plan ...............................................................................25

6.6 The Likely Impacts of the Development ..................................................................26

6.7 The Suitability of the Site for the Development ......................................................26

6.8 The Public Interest ...................................................................................................26

7.0 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................... 27

7.1 Visual Impacts ..........................................................................................................27

7.2 Heritage ...................................................................................................................32

7.3 Flora and Fauna .......................................................................................................32

7.4 Health and Safety.....................................................................................................32

7.5 Erosion Sedimentation Control and Waste Management ......................................33

7.6 Traffic Generation ....................................................................................................33


7.7 Utility Services .........................................................................................................33

7.8 Noise ........................................................................................................................34

7.9 Electrical Interference and Grounding of the Facility .............................................34

7.10 Social and Economic Impacts ..................................................................................34

8.0 CONCLUSION ............................................................................... 36

9.0 APPENDICES ................................................................................ 37

9.1 Appendix 1 – Plans of the Proposed Development .................................................37

9.2 Appendix 2 – ARPANSA EME Report .......................................................................38

9.3 Appendix 3 – Views from the proposed site location .............................................39

9.4 Appendix 4 – Other Documents/Fact Sheets ..........................................................43


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Proposal

NBN Co propose to install a new fixed wireless broadband facility to Marrar comprising the following:

� 30m high monopole; � 1 X parabolic dish antenna; � 3 X panel antennas; � 2 NBN equipment cabinets; � Ancillary equipment associated with operation of

facility, including cable trays, cabling, safe access methods, bird proofing, earthing, electrical works and air-conditioning equipment; and

� Secured fenced compound, housing all equipment and structures (size 12m x 8m).

Purposes

The proposed facility is necessary to provide NBN Co fixed wireless broadband coverage to Marrar and surrounding farmlands.

Property Details

Legal property description: Lot 77 DP 750847 Street Address: Crown Land adjacent to Water Tank, Off Hare St, Marrar NSW 2652 Property Owner: NSW Trade & Investment – Crown Lands

Crown Details This is a Crown Reserve (Crown Reserve 1033028) Reserved for Environmental Protection, Public Recreation and Rural Services - gazetted 29th July 2011 administered under the Crown Lands Act 1989 (CLA). The responsible administrating Authority for the CLA is the NSW Trade & Investment – Crown Lands. Reserve Trust Manager: No Trust License for the Purpose of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Grazing to Gerald and Jacqui Prior Grazing License no: LI 496742

Town Planning Scheme

Council: Coolamon Shire Council Zone: RU4 Rural Small Holdings Principal Designated Use: Rural

Applicable Planning Policies

Relevant State & Local Planning Policies Complies

State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007

No

Coolamon LEP 2011 – RU4 Rural Small Holdings zone

Yes

Coolamon Shire Council DCP 1995

Yes

Application

Use and development of the land for the purposes of construction & operation of a Telecommunications Facility (Fixed Wireless Broadband)


Applicant

NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) c/- Daly International Level 1, 12 Help St 821-843 Pacific Highway Chatswood, NSW, 2067 Contact: Shafinaz Alam, + 61 2 8241 9800 [email protected] Our Ref: Marrar - NBN

Quality and Assurance Check

Report prepared by: Shafinaz Alam First review: Richard Mulconry Final review: Kirsty Sniekers


1.0 INTRODUCTION

NBN Co has engaged Ericsson as the equipment vendor and project manager to establish the infrastructure required to facilitate the fixed wireless component of the National Broadband Network. Ericsson has in turn engaged Daly International to act on its behalf in relation to the establishment of the required fixed wireless network infrastructure. The NBN is a high speed broadband network that is intended to utilise a combination of optical fibre, fixed wireless and satellite technology to offer advanced broadband services to premises across Australia. As part of the progressive roll out, these improvements to broadband services will ultimately deliver benefits to various areas such as business, education, entertainment and health. In response to the fixed wireless component of this network, NBN Co requires a fixed wireless site to provide high speed wireless broadband coverage to Marrar village and surrounding farmlands. The site proposed for the telecommunication facility is located adjacent to the water tank off Hare St at Marrar; also known as Lot 77 DP 750847. An in-depth site selection process was undertaken in the area prior to confirming the site as the preferred location. This process matched potential candidates against four key factors, namely:

• Town planning considerations (such as zoning, surrounding land uses, environmental significance and visual impact);

• The ability of the site to provide acceptable coverage levels to the area;

• Construction feasibility; and

• The ability for NBN Co to secure a lease agreement with the landowner. This application seeks planning consent for:

• a 30 metre high monopole (overall height of the facility including antenna is proposed to be 31m);

• 3 panel antennas and 1 parabolic dish antenna of 1800mm in diameter;

• 2 NBN equipment cabinets;

• Security fencing around the compound (12m X 8m); and

• Ancillary equipment associated with operation of facility, including equipment cabinet housing air-conditioning units, cable trays, cabling, earthing, electrical works etc.

This Statement of Environmental Effects provides details of the proposed installation, assesses its compliance with the relevant planning instruments, draws a number of conclusions regarding likely impacts in terms of key relevant issue areas and recommends that the proposal be approved.


2.0 BACKGROUND 2.1 NBN Co and the National Broadband Network

NBN Co is a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) and is a wholly Federal Government owned company established to design, build and operate the National Broadband Network (NBN). The NBN will enable high speed broadband to be delivered to all Australian households, businesses and enterprises through a combination of fibre, wireless and satellite technology. NBN Co plans to deploy a fixed wireless solution to service premises and businesses that are not planned for a fibre or satellite service. Fixed wireless is like a fixed broadband service but delivered over the air instead of through a fibre optic cable. It provides broadband services over the air from a radio network base station to an antenna and network equipment installed at the end user premises. Premises outside the fibre and fixed wireless footprints will be serviced by satellite.

2.2 What is fixed Wireless and how is it different to Mobile Broadband?

Fixed wireless networks are engineered to meet the speed and service requirements for a known number of users in the coverage area, which means that the bandwidth per end user has the potential to be more consistent and stable than mobile wireless, even in peak times of use, because speeds are not affected by the number of people moving into and out of the service area as occurs with mobile wireless services. Mobile broadband networks need to cater for a large and highly variable number of different customers and different devices, from computer modems to smart phones and tablet devices. As the users are mobile, the number of users connected to a base station at any one time is highly variable as people move between locations. Fixed wireless networks can be developed for a more predictable number of users and services in a given area to target higher levels of assurance and quality than mobile broadband services. Because the services are fixed, you can also use quality antennas attached to premises to optimise reception. A fixed wireless factsheet is provided in Appendix 4 of this report.

2.3 Network Coverage Objectives and Alternative Sites

Although the Fixed Wireless facilities are submitted to Council as stand-alone developments from a planning perspective, from a technical perspective, they are highly interdependent – connected to each other to form a daisy chain of facilities that link back to the fibre network via a series of radio transmission dishes. Each Fixed Wireless facility comprises of three panel antennas, which communicate directly with the premises. The data transmitted to and from these panel antennas is then relayed via a chain of radio transmission dishes back to the fibre network. This is referred to as the “transmission network”. The transmission network requires line of sight from


facility to facility until it reaches a Fixed Wireless facility that is physically connected to the fibre network (referred to as the “Fibre HUB”). The Fixed Wireless network remains unconnected without the transmission network. A break in this chain of transmission interdependencies can have flow on effects to multiple communities, cutting them off from access to wireless broadband services. Each NBN Co Fixed Wireless facility has been designed to heights that allow the panel antennas to have clear line of sight to the surrounding premises (radio coverage), and also ensure that the radio transmission dish has clear line of sight to the adjoining network facility to link the sites back into the broader network. Refer to Figure 1 for a detailed visual explanation of the fixed wireless network.


Figure 1: The fixed wireless network

Fixed wireless facility –

the Fibre Hub

Physical connection to optical fibre – the fibre spur


Fixed wireless facility – wireless hub site




Fixed wireless facility – transmission end


Fixed wireless facility –transmission end

FSAM (Fibre Service Area

Module)

FAN - Fibre Access Node

(typically a Telephone Exchange)


3.0 SITE SELECTION Planning for a new fixed wireless broadband facility is a complex process. NBN Co conducts a rigorous multi-stage scoping process, as outlined below.

3.1 Identification of areas requiring Fixed Wireless coverage

The NBN Co Fixed Wireless locations are determined by a number of factors including the availability of both the NBN Co Fibre transit network and the availability of Point of Interconnect (POI) facilities to allow for the installation of NBN Co equipment. NBN Co uses a number of methods to identify those parts of Australia that require Fixed Wireless coverage. When an area is identified as requiring Fixed Wireless coverage, investigations are undertaken to determine the measures required to provide this coverage. NBN Co has identified a requirement to provide fixed wireless facility to the village of Marrar. The facility will provide wireless broadband services to residents in Marrar and also surrounding farmlands.

3.2 Site Selection Parameters

NBN Co identifies an area where the requirement for a Fixed Wireless broadband facility would be highest, a ‘search area.’ A preliminary investigation of the area is then undertaken, in conjunction with planning and property consultants, radiofrequency engineers and designers in order to identify possible locations to establish a facility. Generally speaking, new sites must be located within, or immediately adjacent to, the identified search area in order to be technically feasible. However, while the operational and geographical aspects of deploying new facilities are primary factors, there are also many other issues that influence network design, which have to be resolved in parallel. Some of the issues that are considered include visual amenity, potential co-location opportunities, the availability and suitability of land as well as a willing site provider, occupational health and safety, construction issues (including structural and loading feasibility and access for maintenance purposes), topographical constraints affecting network line of site, legislative policy constraints, environmental impacts, and cost implications. The number, type and height of facilities required to complete the Fixed Wireless network are largely determined by the above operational, geographical and other factors discussed that influence final network design. These compounding factors often severely restrict the available search area within which a facility can be established to provide reliable Fixed Wireless broadband to a local community.

3.2.1 Candidate Sites

Following the identification of the search area for the Marrar facility, a number of candidate sites were examined around the search area. Each candidate was assessed based on the ability to meet the coverage objectives and site considerations detailed above. A total of three (3) candidates were selected for in-depth investigation for the Marrar facility, as per Figure 2 below.


NBN Co endeavours to avoid locating search areas in close proximity to residential localities and potentially sensitive land uses, where practicable. The site selected adjacent to the water tank is located on the outskirts of the village, it is considered that the site provides an appropriate location for the proposed facility, given the separation provided to residential and other sensitive land uses and being located adjacent to existing infrastructure where the principal designated use is considered to be rural.

Figure 2 – NBN Co Candidate Sites (source: Six View Maps)

A summary of the proposed candidates is located below, including a description of the opportunities and constraints that each site afforded.



A

Crown Land adjacent to Water Tank, Off

Hare St, Marrar NSW 2652

New 30m monopole

NBN Co investigated establishing a new 30m monopole adjacent to the existing water tank on Crown Land.

Candidate A was selected as the prime candidate as discussed below and in Section 4.0- Subject Site and Surrounds.



B Wood St, Marrar

NSW 2652 New 30m monopole

NBN Co investigated establishing a new 30m monopole on the vacant block.

Due to the site being located to the central of the village this candidate was discounted. Candidates as such are usually only considered if there are no other options available in areas

Candidate A

Candidate C

Candidate B


such as rural or industrial. The preferred Candidate A is located on the outskirts of the village and is able to provide the necessary coverage.



C Graincorp Silos, Off Marrar North Road, Marrar NSW 2652

Co-locate on the Graincorp

Silos

NBN Co investigated co-location option on the Graincorp silos.

While co-locating with existing infrastructure is considered to be desirable planning outcome, NBN Co cannot locate Fixed Wireless network facilities on grain silos due to occupational health and safety concerns.

NBN utilises panel antennas and amplifiers (remote radio units) that operate on LTE technology (4G) whereas the traditional networks (Telstra, Optus,Vodafone) uses a different frequency. The NBN amplifiers are subject to heat build-up, and as such, potentially present the risk of fire or even explosion when combined with the combustible dust present at a grain silo.

For this reason Candidate C was discounted as the prime candidate.

Preferred Option Following evaluation of the above options, a new 30m monopole and associated infrastructure off Hare St (Lot 77 on DP 750847) at Marrar was selected as the preferred option as:

� The proposal is considered to be consistent with the environmental and planning requirements, and is expected to have minimal environmental impacts during construction and operation;

� The proposed facility is located on the on the outskirts of the village, sited adjacent to existing infrastructure;

• The selected location is sufficiently setback from adjoining properties and public view sheds as to not cause an unreasonable visual or amenity impact;

� The proposal meets the radio frequency objectives of NBN Co and provide the required coverage within the area; and

• The land owner is agreeable to the proposal.

While NBN Co attempts to utilise where possible as a first preference, any existing infrastructure or co-location opportunities, there are currently no existing carrier telecommunication facilities located in the vicinity that provides sufficient height to satisfy coverage requirements. The existing Grain Corp Silos off Marrar North Road provides co-location opportunity, however this candidate was discounted due to occupational health and safety issues. More details are discussed above in Section 3.2.1 Candidate Sites table.


4.0 Subject Site and Surrounds It is proposed to install the NBN facility off Hare St, Marrar, located on the southern outskirts of Marrar village. The proposed site is located adjacent to the existing Goldenfields Water tank and the subject property is bordered by Hare St to the north, Marrar South Rd to the east, Easticks Ln to the south and Wood St to the west. There are existing trees within immediate distance surrounding the 11m (approx.) high water tank to restrict view from the village. The closest residential house is approximately 205m to the north. The site’s location in the context of the surrounding locality is shown on the locality plan in Figure 3.

Figure 3 – Locality Plan (source: Six View Maps)

The subject site is zoned RU4 Rural Small Holdings under the Coolamon Shire Local Environmental Plan 2011. The surrounding topography is gently undulating from east to west of the site and the village to the north is fairly flat and does not vary greatly in elevation. There are existing scattered trees within the subject property as well as trees along the border of the property. The selected property that is proposed within a rural area is considered to be sufficiently setback from adjoining properties and public view sheds as to not cause an unreasonable visual or amenity impact. Refer to Figure 3 and 4 for visual illustration.

Easticks Ln

Marrar South Rd

Water tank


NORTH

Wood St

Hare St

Wise St


Figure 4 – Aerial Photo of subject site (source: Six View Maps)

NORTH


Hare St

Easticks Ln

Marrar South Rd

Lyne St

Water tank

Wise St


5.0 THE PROPOSAL In general terms, the proposed development will comprise the installation of a 30m monopole, fitted with antennas and equipment housing installed at the base of the tower sited alongside the existing water tank off Hare Street. Plans showing the location of the facilities, the type, location and configuration of antenna structures on the monopole and the location of the equipment housing are provided in Appendix 1.

5.1 Facility and Equipment Details

The specific components of the proposed installation are described below.

• The installation of a 30m monopole of light grey colour. The total height of structure including antennas will be 31m.

• The installation of 3 (three) panel antennas at 30m elevation (centreline of antenna). The antennas will have dimensions of 1180mm (height) x 300mm (width) x 115mm (depth). All antennas will be of light grey in colour.

• The installation of a parabolic antenna (microwave radio link) of 1800mm in diameter at 27m elevation attached to the monopole. The dish will be light grey in colour.

• The installation of 1 outdoor cabinet with provision to install an additional outdoor cabinet in future on a concrete slab. The cabinets will be of cream colour that will house air-conditioning units, electrical and telecommunications equipment associated with the facility. The cabinets will have the dimensions of 1460mm (height) x 667mm (width) x 930mm (depth).

• The cable tray installed will run externally from the outdoor cabinet to the monopole where the feeder cables will then run internally within the monopole.

• Security fencing to be installed around the compound (12m X 8m).

5.2 Access Details

The NBN compound will be accessed via Hare St onto the existing unpaved road extension off Wise Street leading to the water tank. The site is located approximately 190m from the intersection of Hare and Wise St. Refer to Plans of the Proposed Development in Appendix 1 for proposed access route to the subject site and Figure 5 illustrating the proposed access route. The site access is considered to be appropriate given the NBN Co facility will not be a significant generator of traffic. Once operational, the facility will function on a continuously unstaffed basis and will typically only require maintenance works once a year, of approximately one day’s duration. It will remain unattended at all other times. As the facility generates minimal trips per year, it is considered that traffic interference will be negligible.


5.3 Power Details

Power supply is proposed to be run underground from an existing power pole located at the corner of Wise St and Hare St. The power will run underground along the existing unpaved road to the proposed NBN power distribution board (PDB) within the NBN fenced compound. The power line from the proposed NBN PDB will run underground to the outdoor equipment cabinet. Refer to Appendix 1 for Plans of the Proposed Development illustrating the proposed power line route to the site compound. Please note that the power route is indicative only and is subject to assessment by the relevant electrical authority.

5.4 Construction of the Facility

Construction activities will involve the following:

• Site preparation - including field testing, excavation and construction of foundations;

• Installation of the equipment units and tower – involving the delivery of the pre-fabricated equipment housing and monopole by low loader trucks. These will be lifted into place by a crane and fixed to their respective footings.

• Installation of the communications equipment and antennas - involving technicians working within the shelter, and riggers fixing the antennas to the monopole.

Appropriate construction management measures, incorporating soil erosion and sediment controls, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the “Blue Book” – ‘Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction’ (Landcom 2004) will be implemented. Any traffic impacts associated with construction will be of a short-term duration and are not anticipated to adversely impact on the surrounding road network. In the unlikely event that road closure will be required, NBN Co will apply to the relevant authorities for permission. Noise and vibration emissions associated with the proposed facility will be limited to the construction phase outlined above. Noise generated during the construction phase will be of short duration and will be in accordance with the standards outlined in the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998 and Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy 1997. Construction works will only occur between the hours of 7.00am and 6.00pm. There will be some low level noise from the ongoing operation of air conditioning equipment associated with the equipment shelter, once installed. Noise emanating from the air conditioning equipment is at a comparable level to a domestic air conditioning installation, and will generally accord with the background noise levels prescribed by Australian Standard AS1055.


6.0 SECTION 79C ASSESSMENT The proposal has been assessed having regard to the relevant Heads of Consideration under Section 79 C (1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act, 1979. This provides that, in determining a development application, a consent authority is to take into consideration such of the following matters as are of relevance to the development the subject of the development application.

6.1 Any Environmental Planning Instruments

6.1.1 Commonwealth Legislation – The Telecommunications Act

The Telecommunications Act 1997 has been operative since 1 July 1997. This legislation establishes the criteria for ‘low impact’ telecommunication facilities. If a proposed facility satisfies the requirements of a ‘low impact’ facility, the development is exempt from the planning approval process. Further clarification of the term ‘low impact’ is provided in the Telecommunications Act 1997 and the Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 1997, which was gazetted subsequent to the Act. The Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 1997 establishes certain facilities, which cannot be considered low impact facilities. The proposed facility is not low impact under the definitions contained in the Commonwealth legislation. Development consent is therefore required for the proposed facility.

6.1.2 State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) and deemed SEPPs

(previously Regional Environmental Plans)

SEPP (Infrastructure) (2007) The SEPP (Infrastructure) 2007 as amended by the SEPP (Infrastructure) Amendment (Telecommunications Facilities) 2010 is of specific relevance to the proposal as the provisions of clauses 113 and 115 are being relied upon for permissibility of the proposed development at the subject location and are the basis for lodging and seeking Council consent for this development. The complying development provisions of the SEPP are not relevant to this proposal as the subject property is not within the allowable distance from RU5 Village zone for which complying development may be carried out. In addition, NBN Co is not a public authority for the purposes of the SEPP so clause 114 is not applicable. Clause 113 of the SEPP defines a “Telecommunications Facility” as:

(a) any part of the infrastructure of a telecommunications network, or (b) any line, cable, optical fibre, equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna, dish, tunnel, duct, hole, pit, pole or other structure in connection with a telecommunications network.


Clause 115(1) provides that:

Development for the purposes of telecommunications facilities, other than development in clause 114 or development that is exempt development under clause 20 or 116, may be carried out by any person with consent on any land.

Telecommunications facilities are therefore permissible in all zones within the Coolamon Shire LGA with the consent of the Council. Clause 115(3) of the SEPP provides that:

Before determining a development application for development to which this clause applies, the consent authority must take into consideration any guidelines concerning site selection, design, construction or operating principles for telecommunications facilities that are issued by the Director-General for the purposes of this clause and published in the Gazette.

In this respect, the NSW Telecommunications Facilities Guideline including Broadband (July 2010) has been issued by the Director General. The principles that must be taken into consideration are outlined in Section 2.2 of the Guideline. The proposal’s consistency with the Guideline principles is addressed in Table 1 below. Table 1 – Compliance with the Principles of NSW Telecommunications Facilities Guideline including Broadband (2010)

Principle 1: A Telecommunications Facility should be sited to minimise visual Impact


(a) As far as practical, a telecommunications facility that is to be mounted on an existing building or structure should be integrated with the design and appearance of the building or structure.

(b) The visual impact of telecommunications facilities should be minimised, visual clutter is to be reduced particularly on tops of buildings, and their physical dimensions (including support mounts) should be sympathetic to the scale and height of the building to which it is to be attached, and sympathetic to adjacent buildings. (c) Where telecommunications facilities protrude from a building or structure and are predominantly backgrounded against the sky, the facility and their support mounts should be either the same as the prevailing colour of the host building or structure, or a neutral colour such as grey should be used. (d) Ancillary facilities associated with the telecommunications facility should be screened or housed, using the same colour as

(a) to (c) These principles relate to facilities that are located on an existing building or structure and are not directly applicable to new freestanding monopole elements such as proposed in this instance. (d) The associated equipment will be housed in small outdoor cabinet of factory cream colour and feeders and cables will be connected to the