Other Provisions | Telecommunication Facilities | Parramatta Development Control Plan 2005

2 - Other Provisions

O.1To apply a precautionary approach to the site selection, design and operation of telecommunications infrastructure.
O.2To minimise the possible adverse public health effects of electromagnetic radiation emitted from telecommunications facilities.
O.3To encourage the separation of transmitters emitting electromagnetic radiation from concentrations of possible at- risk populations, such as hospitals, retirement villages, schools, childcare centres, children’s playgrounds as well as residential land uses where practicable and reasonable.
O.4To minimise the visibility and visual impact of telecommunications infrastructure and to ensure the character of a locality is considered by telecommunication carriers in selecting sites.
O.5To provide guidance to telecommunication carriers about the requirements for site selection to ensure reasonable and equitable access to telecommunication technology.

The potential for sharing and co-location is to be given a high priority. The sharing of existing antennas, via the use of combiners, should be pursued in the first instance, wherever possible. Existing towers and poles or other appropriate structures should be investigated for appropriateness for the sharing of antennas.
Efforts made to co-locate are to be demonstrated by the carrier in the DA submission. The carriers’ network masterplan for the subject infrastructure type should be included to identify opportunities for co-location or sharing of facilities within or between carriers.
Where possible broad band and other cabling should be located underground.
Transmitting roof top antennas and towers should preferably be located in industrial or commercial zones, rather than residential zones or areas that have residential buildings.
In assessing a DA for telecommunications infrastructure, a merit-based approach will be taken. Siting of facilities will be assessed in terms of the overall pattern of existing telecommunications facilities, so that opportunities for sharing are maximised and the cumulative impact can be determined.
Facilities are to be sited to avoid possible locations within or at the termination of a significant vista or focal point of a streetscape, visually sensitive areas or a streetscape or landscape dominated by heritage significance.
Telecommunication facilities are to minimise impacts on flora and fauna during construction, maintenance and operation.

Telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile base stations, are to be located a minimum of 300m from any dwelling, residential land, school, child care centre, boarding house, hospital, aged care accommodation or other sensitive land use. If it is proposed to locate closer than 300m, the development application is to include documentation to show that the proposed facility complies with the relevant Australian exposure standard as specified by the Australian Communications Authority.
Details are also to be submitted on proposed monitoring to ensure compliance with exposure levels.

Telecommunication facilities are to be designed to minimise their visibility and visual impact and within the local context to take account of colour, texture, form, bulk and scale.
Suitable landscaping is to be provided for screening and to soften the appearance of relevant facilities.

Telecommunication carriers will be required to demonstrate that the development will not cause a level of electromagnetic radiation as measured cumulatively across all sources of more than the relevant Australian exposure standard at ground level within 300m of the proposed transmitting facility.

The DA shall include details on measures taken to ensure public safety for antennas with respect to their structural and electrical safety. A certificate from a suitably qualified structural engineer showing conformity to AS1170 is to be included for soundness of roof top antennas.