Scenic Protection in Launceston/Trevallyn

E7.0    Scenic Management Code – Launceston City Council

E7.1 Purpose of the Code
E7.1.1  The purpose of this provision is to:

1. ensure that siting and design of development protects and complements the visual amenity of defined tourist road corridors; and
2. ensure that siting and design of development in designated scenic management areas is unobtrusive and complements the visual amenity of the locality and landscape.
   

E7.2     Application of this Code
E7.2.1  This code applies to use or development of land within the scenic management – tourist road corridor and local scenic management areas.
E7.3     Definitions of Terms
scenic management – tourist road corridor means the area of land within 100 metres measured from each frontage to the scenic management tourist road corridor indicated on the planning scheme maps.
local scenic management area  means those areas listed in Table7.1 – local scenic management areas and indicated on the planning scheme maps.
E7.4     Use or Development Exempt from this Code
E7.4.1  The following use or development is exempt from this code:

1. Use without development, not including plantation forestry; and
2.  Subdivision for a boundary adjustment.
3.   Additions or external alterations to an existing building or structure within an envelope formed by projecting the line of the existing external walls and where there is no increase in the maximum height of the building.
   

E7.5     Use Standards
Not used in this Scheme.
E7.6    Development Standards
E7.6.1  Scenic Management – Tourist Road Corridor

Objective

1. To enhance the visual amenity of the identified tourist road corridors through appropriate:
2.   setbacks of development to the road to provide for views that are significant to the traveller experience and to mitigate the bulk of development; and
3.   location of development to avoid obtrusive visual impacts on skylines, ridgelines and prominent locations within the corridor; and
4. design and/or treatment of the form of buildings and earthworks to minimise the visual impact of development in its surroundings; and
5. retention or establishment of vegetation (native or exotic) that mitigates the bulk or form of use or development; and
6. retention of vegetation (native or exotic) that provides amenity value to the road corridor due to being in a natural condition, such as native forest, or of cultural landscape interest such as hedgerows and significant, exotic feature trees; and
7. To ensure subdivision provides for a pattern of development that is consistent with the visual amenity objectives described in (a).
   

Acceptable Solution Performance Criteria
A1    Development (not including subdivision) must be fully screened by existing vegetation or other features when viewed from the road within the tourist road corridor. P1      Development (not including subdivision) must be screened when viewed from the road within the tourist road corridor having regard to:

1. the impact on skylines, ridgelines and prominent locations; and
2. the proximity to the road and the impact on views from the road; and
3. the need for the development to be prominent to the road; and
4. the specific requirements of a resource development use; and
5. the retention or establishment of vegetation to provide screening in combination with other requirements for hazard management; and
6. whether existing native or significant exotic vegetation within the tourist road corridor is managed to retain the visual values of a touring route; and
7. whether development for forestry or plantation forestry is in accordance with the ‘Conservation of Natural and Cultural Values – Landscape’ section of the Forest Practices Code; and
8. the design and/or treatment of development including:
9.   the bulk and form of buildings including materials and finishes;
10.   earthworks for cut or fill;
11. complementing the physical (built or natural) characteristics of the site.
    

A2      Subdivision must not alter any boundaries within the areas designated as scenic management – tourist road corridor. P2      Subdivision that alters any boundaries within the areas designated as scenic management – tourist road corridor must have regard to:

1. site size; and
2. density of potential development on sites created; and
3. the clearance or retention of vegetation in combination with requirements for hazard management; and
4. the extent of works required for roads or to gain access to sites including cut and fill; and
5. the physical characteristics of the site and locality; and
6. the scenic qualities of the land that require management.
   

E7.6.2  Local Scenic Management Areas
Objective

1. To site and design buildings, works and associated access strips to be unobtrusive to the skyline and hillsides and complement the character of the local scenic management area; and
2. To ensure subdivision and the subsequent development of land does not compromise the scenic management objectives of the local scenic management area.
   

Acceptable Solution Performance Criteria
A1     Development (not including subdivision) must be in accordance with the scenic management criteria for a local scenic management area identified in Table 7.1 – local scenic management areas. P1      Development (not including subdivision) must have regard to the:

1. character statement and scenic management objectives of the particular area set out in Table 7.1 – local scenic management areas; and
2. impact on skylines, ridgelines and prominent locations; and
3. retention or establishment of vegetation to provide screening in combination with other requirements for hazard management; and
4. design or treatment of development including:
5.   the bulk and form of buildings including materials and finishes; and
6.   earthworks for cut or fill; and
7. complementing the physical (built or natural) characteristics of the site or area.
   

A2     Subdivision is in accordance with

1. a specific area plan; or
2. a subdivision plan or acceptable development criteria under Table 7.1, if any.
   

P2      Subdivision must be consistent with the scenic management objectives of the particular area set out in Table7.1 – local scenic management areas, having regard to:

1. the local scenic management area – character statement; and
2. site size; and
3. density of subsequent development; and
4. the clearance or retention of vegetation in combination with requirements for hazard management; and
5. the extent of works required for roads and to gain access to sites including cut and fill; and
6. the physical characteristics of the site and locality;
7. any plan over the land through an agreement under S71 of the Act.
   

A3     No vegetation is proposed to be removed P3      The visual impact of removal, destruction or lopping of trees or the removal of vegetation should:

1. be consistent with maintaining the character and precinct objectives; and
2. be minimised through:
3. consideration of the design and location of buildings to facilitate retention of trees,  
4. a preference for management of trees through  pruning rather than removal;  and  
5. the desirability of replanting of vegetation when the impact of vegetation removal is unavoidable; and
6. not result in an unacceptable impact on threatened species and/or wildlife habitats/corridors.
   

 Delamere Crescent is located in the Trevallyn Hillside Precinct as subject to the following Schedule:

E7.5.3  Schedule 1 - Local Scenic management Areas
1  Trevallyn Hillside Precinct
Existing character statement - description and significance
The Trevallyn hillside precinct encompasses the steep hillside to the west of the Tamar River and north of the Cataract Gorge. It forms part of the principle backdrop of the central Launceston region. It is characterised by a concentration of houses, many of which are substantial and excellent examples particularly of the early Federation timber construction adapted to suit the steep slopes. These are set amongst a gardened background incorporating a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees.
Management Objectives

1. Contributory buildings within the precinct must either compliment existing character buildings or be designed to minimise its visual impact within the landscape.
2. Alterations and additions must be undertaken with regard to the heritage and scenic value of the place and should not adversely affect the landscape or streetscape value of the group.  
3. Subdivision must only take place where it does not adversely affect the existing landscape values or pattern of development on the hillside. Subdivision that prevents the retention or establishment of significant vegetation must be avoided.
4. Where infill buildings are proposed, material selections and forms should relate to the predominant landscape or streetscape pattern. Replication of historic forms is not encouraged in new work, however new designs must demonstrate a scale, form and materials relationship to the precinct.
5. Landscaping should incorporate a significant proportion of trees to maintain the treed character of the hillside. Species selection should include species commonly occurring within the precinct.
6. Encourage driveways and other works to follow contours and be screened by vegetation so that it is inevident from central Launceston
   

The Australian Standard for you reference is AS4373-1996 Pruning of Amenity Trees.