VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

Development proposals are likely to change the environment within which it will be situated, be it natural or man-made, as well as people’s perceptions of that changed environment. The visual, scenic and cultural components of the environment are extremely valuable resources and development proposals have the potential to cause significant impacts. A Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) may therefore be required, either as part of a Basic Assessment, Scoping and EIA and/or Heritage Impact Assessment.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF A VIA(Visual Impact Assessment)

• Determine an appropriate category of expected impact;
• Determine and illustrate the expected visual impact associated with the proposed development; and,
• Formulate and implement measures or interventions that would mitigate any detrimental impacts to the extent that the development will be acceptable.

DOES YOUR ENVISAGED DEVELOPMENT TRIGGER A VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT?

The need for a Visual Impact Assessment will be triggered by :

• The nature of the receiving environment; (Dropdown)
  • Areas with protection status, such as national parks or nature reserves;
  • Areas with proclaimed heritage sites or scenic routes;
  • Areas with intact wilderness qualities, or pristine ecosystems;
  • Areas with intact or outstanding rural or townscape qualities;
  • Areas with a recognized special character or sense of place;
  • Areas lying outside a defined urban edge line;
  • Areas with sites of cultural or religious significance;
  • Areas of important tourism or recreation value;
  • Areas with important vistas or scenic corridors;
  • Areas with visually prominent ridgelines or skylines.
• The nature of the project; and/or
  • High intensity type projects including large-scale infrastructure;
  • A change in land use from the prevailing use;
  • A use that is in conflict with an adopted plan or vision for the area;
  • A significant change to the fabric and character of the area;
  • A significant change to the townscape or streetscape;
  • Possible visual intrusion in the landscape;
  • Obstruction of views of others in the area
• The perception of Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs).

METHODOLOGY

A VIA is undertaken in accordance with six distinct steps, each of which informs the subsequent step(s).