Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025C00174:reg:10:p54
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025C00174
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 10 (pt 54/99)
Character Range: 493041–496401

signs which identify the distances to the Centre and use the internationally recognised information symbol.

4.21 TELECOMMUNICATIONS GENERAL CODE

4.21.1 Background
These policies apply to the installation and erection of telecommunications facilities, being facilities subject to the Telecommunications Act 1997. The policies for telecommunications facilities consist of General Policies and Specific Policies.

General Policies are broadly based and define the key objectives and general policies for the design and siting of telecommunications infrastructure throughout the ACT. Carriers, service providers and individuals will need to take account of the General Policies when installing facilities within the ACT.

Specific Policies define the conditions and standards for the siting of telecommunications infrastructure within Designated Areas.

4.21.2 Facilities subject to these policies
The following are subject to the Telecommunications General Code requirements:

       * ground based towers, antenna masts and headframes

       * underground and aerial cabling

       * rooftop antennas, headframes and associated structures

       * microwave or satellite antennas or dishes (this includes both ground and rooftop mounted installations)

       * any equipment structures (buildings and fenced enclosures) associated with the above.

4.21.3 Objectives
The objectives of the Telecommunications General Code are to:

     1.             ensure that the operation of a functional telecommunications service meets community expectations and does not adversely affect the character of Canberra as the National Capital, including the landscape setting of the city and the national significance of land specified in this Plan as Designated Areas.

     2.             minimise environmental and visual impacts arising from the construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and removal, and site rehabilitation of telecommunications infrastructure.

4.21.4 Detailed conditions of planning, design and development

Erection of Telecommunications Structures
     1.             Site Selection – Sites where a tower, mast or antenna will be visually incongruous should be avoided wherever possible. Where a choice of site exists, low rise, small scale residential areas should be avoided and commercial, industrial or transport related land with existing utility structures such as lighting columns or other vertical structures should be selected. Where practicable, sites having environmental, nature conservation or heritage significance, and sites of community concern such as schools, childcare centres or where a facility may interfere with existing emergency or safety equipment, should be avoided.

     2.             Choice of antenna location and mast sharing – The mounting of antennas on a building or an existing mast is the preferred way of accommodating a new facility. Where there are several antenna mounting and locational options, care is to be taken to choose the most appropriate option that has the least visual impact on the community and surrounds.

     3.             Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Standard – all telecommunication facilities must comply with current industry standards in respect to EME emissions and their impact on surrounding land uses.

     4.             Ameliorative Actions – Wherever possible,