AMTA applauds planning reforms

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) CEO Louise Hyland has welcomed the Victorian Government’s approval of the VC226 Amendment — a key outcome of the Better Approvals for Business Program from the government’s regulation reform agenda announced in November 2020.

“As part of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Provisions Review reform package, this key initiative and the new rules that follow strike a balance between the need to fast-track approvals and protecting the environment,” Hyland said.

“We are pleased that the Victorian Government recognises the importance of having fit-for-purpose planning rules and is playing a key role in facilitating network deployment. Appropriate and effectively deployed mobile technology infrastructure will help deliver a much faster network and better-connected communications for industry, businesses, councils and the broader community.”

Hyland said the reforms are an important step forward and encourages ongoing review to ensure action aligns with contemporary conditions.

“These new planning controls respond to and align with the recommendations outlined in AMTA’s State & Territory 5G Readiness Assessment, demonstrating the need to keep regulations up to date and fit for purpose. AMTA supports all outcomes on network infrastructure deployment that align with the recommendations in our 5G Readiness Assessment, and seeing this initiative and its reforms follow the recommendations in our 5G Readiness Report is an important step forward,” she said.

“AMTA, on behalf of the mobile telecommunications industry, encourages the state government to review these provisions on an ongoing basis to ensure they are able to respond to the rapidly changing infrastructure landscape.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Maximusnd