THE community can now comment on a draft Council policy on the placement of telecommunications towers in the Coffs Harbour region.

The draft policy outlines Coffs Harbour City Council’s expectations for appropriately sited and designed telecommunications facilities and provides guidance to Council staff assessing development applications for telecommunications facilities.

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The aim of the policy is to facilitate improved telecommunications services in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area whilst avoiding or minimising adverse impacts on the community, Council operations, owners or users of land surrounding telecommunications facilities, visual and scenic amenity, the natural environment and cultural values.

“Where possible, new infrastructure is to be located within business and industrial zones,” the draft policy states.

Coffs Harbour City councillors have affirmed their opposition to the placement of Optus and Telstra telecommunications towers within 500 metres of child care centres, schools and other educational institutions at recent Council meetings.

A 25 metre high Optus telecommunications tower was recently approved by Council at Advocate Park, Coffs Harbour, to service the nearby Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC).

A telecommunications tower has previously been placed along Beach Street, Woolgoolga, just down the road from Woolgoolga Public School.

The draft Provision of Telecommunications Infrastructure Policy is now on public exhibition on Council’s Have Your Say section of its website at https://haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/ and comments can be made on the new policy until Friday 6 August.

By Emma DARBIN