Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(a) The Government expects the rollout of the National Broadband Network to be as unobtrusive as possible. The location of any aerial deployment of cabling will depend on the availability of underground facilities. The Financial Heads of Agreement with Telstra announced on 20 June 2010 greatly enhances NBN Co's access to underground facilities. The extent to which cabling will be underground will be a matter that NBN Co will need to look at on an area-by-area basis.

The Corporate Plan released by NBN Co Limited on 20 December 2010 indicates that 25 percent of the local network will be deployed aerially. This represents approximately 31 000 kilometres of aerial deployment. This will typically be in brownfield areas with pre-existing aerial infrastructure. This is subject to the completion of Definitive Agreements with Telstra.

In new developments where other services are put underground, it is expected that NBN cables will also be underground. (b) The height at which the fibre cable will be deployed will be a matter for NBN Co to consider on an area-by-area basis, consistent with state, territory, and local government planning arrangements.

Some cabling heights are outlined in a voluntary industry code, the Australian Communications Industry Forum Code C524:2004 External Telecommunications Cable Networks. In NSW, where recent changes to planning laws make installation of overhead cabling an exempt development, meaning installations do not require planning approval, installation must take place in a manner consistent with the Code.(c) The underground installation of electricity cables is a matter for electricity companies to consider.

NBN Co Limited is engaging with utility companies to understand the possibilities of sharing infrastructure or coordinating rollout plans.

Clause 51 of Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 requires carriers to remove aerial cabling from electricity poles where the electricity operator has removed electricity lines from the poles.

Where electricity companies are working with state, territory, and local governments on the possible underground installation of existing aerial infrastructure, they are encouraged to inform NBN Co so this can be taken into account by NBN Co in formulating its rollout plans.

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