Stage 1: Site Assessment
Once a preferred site option is identified by the Proponent’s site acquisition team through negotiation with the property owner, a detailed analysis of the landscape character is undertaken using defined evaluation criteria. This develops a baseline measurement of the existing landscape context. Aspects critical to visual effects are assessed, including topography, built form and vegetation.
The site acquisition team uses prompts to select and assess the site and the surrounding landscape context. The selections provide a detailed picture of the landscape and visual character, which can be supplemented with photographic surveys. Attachment A provides a checklist that can be used on–site to document the site context and be inputted into the Design Guide at a later time. The property owner may be a valuable source of information in completing the site assessment as they may be able to provide information regarding issues such as visitation to the area, particular local sensitivities, views to be preserved and engineering constraints which may impact on the antenna system design.
Figure 4 shows how a drop down box is selected identifying key landscape characteristics such as “land use” and “topography”.
Figure 4: Identifying Key Landscape Characteristics
