The NSW Government has fast-tracked the delivery of telecommunications facilities, including new broadband infrastructure such as the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network.
Proposed changes to the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy were publicly exhibited in 2009, along with a draft Telecommunications Guideline.
The new measures were finalised and adopted in July 2010. They support all new telecommunications facilities in New South Wales being consistent with a set of principles covering issues such as site selection, design, construction and operation.
The Infrastructure SEPP introduces new provisions that allow telecommunications infrastructure providers to be either exempt from planning approval, or be able to receive a ten-day complying development approval, for a number of telecommunications facilities subject to strict criteria including health and amenity considerations.
New telecommunications towers in residential zones will continue to require development application approval from the local council.
The Telecommunications Guideline provides further detail about the types of infrastructure that can be classified as exempt or complying development and the requirements and development standards that must be met for each facility type.
For more information on the National Broadband Network in New South Wales visit www.broadband.nsw.gov.au