The Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF) today presented its case to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for an easing of planning restrictions in the State for the approval of mobile network antennas and towers.

In September 2009, the Tasmanian Government released a draft Planning Directive, which includes a list of the types of mobile network telecommunications facilities that would not require a planning permit from Tasmania’s local councils.

At that time the MCF welcomed the statewide uniform approach in Tasmania. However, the draft Directive did not provide any further exemptions from those already found in most of Tasmanian Council Planning Schemes.

The MCF wrote to the Tasmanian Government in November 2009, identifying potential lost opportunities in its draft Directive to fast-track approval of certain types of mobile network telecommunications facilities that have a negligible impact, and which are exempt from approval in other States.

In its submission, the MCF highlighted the means by which the Tasmanian Government’s Draft Planning Directive could be improved with the inclusion of further exemptions that have been included in Planning Policy in other States for as long as 10 years.

Telstra, Optus & Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) occupy 418 mobile network sites across Tasmania. The Carriers have plans for 39 new sites in the pipeline for Tasmania representing an investment of more than $15 million

. “Many new sites in remote areas offer a marginal business case so are regularly reviewed as a part of each carrier’s national program. It is critical that Tasmania’s Planning system strikes an appropriate balance between the need for some certainty by the Carriers, and the need to protect visual amenity” said MCF Program Manager Matt Evans.