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

On 30 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. The MCF has welcomed a statewide uniform approach in Tasmania and the draft Directive is generally consistent with the telecommunications schedule already found in most of Tasmanian Council Planning Schemes.

In its submission, the MCF has 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.

MCF Program Manager Matt Evans said: “Tasmania’s population of more than half a million people, together with visitors to the State are generally well served by mobile network infrastructure supplied by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia at more than 400 sites. However, the lack of exemptions from the need to go through a Council Planning process for straightforward infrastructure is acting as a potential disincentive for the Carriers to make further improvements. The Carriers do not confront these challenges in other States”.

“The Industry is not asking for much - when you consider that even co-locating new antennas on an existing tower in some circumstances would not be exempt, under the proposed Planning Directive”.

The MCF has asked to present its case to the Tasmanian Planning Commission and is awaiting a response.