Macedon Ranges Shire Council has won support after doubling down on its call for stronger governance on the placement of telecommunication towers in the natural landscape.
Taking its fight to the Australian Local Government Association for the second time, the council saw a small victory in the decision to lobby for increased federal funding for mobile black spots and a call for new guidelines.
Mayor Janet Pearce said the current guidelines were “outdated” and there had been community demand for a rethink on locating the facilities and improved technology to reduce environmental and visual impact.
“Council wants the Code of Practice to be updated – it’s about 15 years old,” she said.
“We don’t know exactly what this would look like, but it would be great if the state government could lead the charge on this and potentially, consult the community in seeking to update the guidelines.”
The council made a submission to ALGA last year for greater coordination in planning for telecommunications towers and for a review of the Codes of Practice for Telecommunications Facilities.
“[We have heard that residents] want better technology to be installed than that proposed and they think the infrastructure could be differently situated. However, under the planning scheme provisions, council cannot address, or even assess, either of these concerns, which is frustrating for councillors and the community,” Cr Pearce said.
Cr Pearce said residents and businesses were seeking telecommunication infrastructure providing by way of underground fibre to their property, which would eliminate the need for construction of a tower.
The council had called on the ALGA to advocate for the Australian Government to work with rural and regional councils to develop innovative solutions for the placement of telecommunication infrastructure for protection of the natural environment, and to research and trial viable alternatives to tower infrastructure.
Cr Pearce said the biggest challenge in assessing these applications was that it was not council’s role to decide where telecommunication infrastructure was placed.
“When considering these kind of applications, council can only consider any relevant planning policy and planning controls,” Cr Pearce said.
“These challenges are Victoria wide; however it’s possible that they have a greater impact within the Macedon Ranges given the picturesque, scenic and heritage values that exist within our shire.”
Planning director Angela Hughes said the council had assessed four planning applications for telecommunication towers in the past year, which resulted in two planning permits issued. A further planning application was approved but appealed by a group of objectors at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal – a judgement is yet to be passed.
The latest VCAT appeal is one of five for the shire in the past five years. Of these cases planning permits were issued for three and one appeal was withdrawn without a VCAT decision.
