FAQ
What is telecommunications infrastructure?
Telecommunications infrastructure refers to the facilities, equipment and structures that deliver telecommunications via various public and private networks.
Can Council control the development of telecommunications infrastructure?
Most telecommunications infrastructure can be developed without the consent of Council because of various Federal and State laws, therefore, Council has no control over the development of the majority of telecommunications infrastructure. Some infrastructure is not exempt and therefore requires Council approval. Infrastructure that generally requires Council approval is mobile phone network towers in certain locations.
Why is Council looking at introducing a policy and development controls?
The policy is proposed to outline Council's expectations for the appropriate design and siting of telecommunications infrastructure which will allow it to consistently indicate support for, or object to, proposals when proponents consult with Council. The introduction of development controls in Council's Development Control Plan is to provide Council staff with clear criteria to assess applications for development of telecommunications infrastructure that requires Council consent. The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment currently provides guidelines however Council is seeking to introduce more particular local provisions.
What revisions have been made to the documents previously exhibited?
The draft Policy and DCP amendment have been revised to incorporate certain references to Industry Code C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment and to include further requirements for materials and finishes to be sympathetic to their surroundings and to include a requirement that infrastructure is designed to allow future co-location.
The revised draft Policy also now includes a definition of ‘sensitive land uses’ and the addition of a preference for adequate setbacks from sensitive land uses.
The revised draft amendment to the Community Participation and Engagement Plan has been revised to state that owners of land within 250 metres of a site upon which a development application for telecommunications facility has been lodged will be notified of the application.