Simplified outline of Part 7This Part sets out rules for notifying owners and occupiers of land about a subscriber connection activity.The effect of this Part is that the carrier must notify owners and occupiers about subscriber connection activities in accordance with the Act and this Code.
3.36 Purpose of Part 7
(1) Under clause 17 of Schedule 3 to the Act, a carrier must give written notice to the owner (and, if the land is occupied by someone other than the owner, the occupier) of its intention to engage in a subscriber connection activity.
(2) Clause 54 of Schedule 3 to the Act sets out arrangements for a carrier to serve notice on an owner or occupier of land if the owner or occupier cannot be found after diligent inquiry.
(3) Division 2 sets out, in simplified form, the notification requirements of clauses 17 and 54 of Schedule 3 as they apply to subscriber connection activities.
(4) Division 3 sets out additional arrangements for notification.
3.37 Application of Division 3 of Part 7
(1) Division 3 of this Part does not apply to a subscriber connection activity if the carrier engages in it as a response to a disaster declaration.
(2) Division 3 of this Part does not apply to a subscriber connection activity if the carrier engages in it in other circumstances in which the safety of life or property is endangered.
(3) Division 3 of this Part does not apply to a subscriber connection activity if the owner or occupier of the land has asked the carrier to engage in it as part of the installation of a facility.
(4) Division 3 of this Part does not apply to a subscriber connection activity to the extent that the activity involves a public street, nature strip or other public land in proximity to:
(a) the land to which it is reasonably necessary for a carrier to have access in order to install the subscriber connection (the relevant land); and
(b) the point at which the connection meets the telecommunications network (whether that point is above, on or below the surface of the land) (the network point).
(5) Divisions 2 and 3 of this Part do not apply to a subscriber connection activity to the extent that the activity involves public land between the relevant land and the network point.
Note This Division is provided for information only: see subsection 3.1 (2). The provisions of the Act should be consulted to decide rights and obligations.
3.38 Notice to owner and occupier of land
(1) Before engaging in a subscriber connection activity, a carrier must give written notice of its intention to do so to:
(3) The notice must also contain a statement to the effect that, if a person suffers financial loss or damage in relation to property because of anything done by the carrier in engaging in the activity, compensation may be payable under clause 42 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
(5) However, the carrier is not required to give the notice in circumstances mentioned in subclauses 17 (5) to (7) of Schedule 3 to the Act.
3.39 Serving notices if owner unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out who owns particular land, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the owner of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
3.40 Serving notices if occupier unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the occupier of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the occupier by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out whether particular land is occupied, or who occupies particular land, the carrier may treat the land as unoccupied.
3.41 Notice to owner and occupier of land: additional requirements
A carrier must include in a notice mentioned in section 3.39 details of the actions that the carrier expects to take, as part of the subscriber connection activity, on land affected by the activity.
3.41A Withdrawal of notices
(1) This section applies to a carrier who has given a notice (the original notice) to an owner or occupier of land for a subscriber connection activity in accordance with this Code.
(2) If the carrier cancels the activity, the carrier must give written notice to the owner or occupier that the original notice is withdrawn (a withdrawal notice).
(3) The withdrawal notice must describe the activity specified in the original notice that has been cancelled:
Note: If more than one activity was specified in the original notice, the withdrawal notice must describe each activity that has been cancelled.
(5) The withdrawal notice must be given by the carrier within 5 business days after the decision to cancel the activity is made.
3.42 Agreement on alternative notification arrangements
(1) A carrier may agree in writing with an owner or occupier of land affected by a subscriber connection activity for alternative notification arrangements.
3.43 Additional arrangements for serving notices
(1) If a carrier serves a notice under section 3.39 or 3.40, the carrier must, if practicable after engaging in the subscriber connection activity, attach to a conspicuous part of the land a copy of another notice that:
(2) However, the carrier is not required to fix the notice on occupied land if the carrier has been able to give the occupier a notice about the activity either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6.
Chapter 4 Low‑impact facilities
Simplified outline of Chapter 4Division 3 of Schedule 3 to the Telecommunications Act 1997 authorises a carrier to enter on land and install facilities, including low‑impact facilities.Low‑impact facilities are specified in the Telecommunications (Low‑impact Facilities) Determination 2018.This Chapter sets out conditions to be complied with by a carrier in installing a low‑impact facility.The Chapter has 5 Parts.The Parts deal with the following matters: Part 1 — introduction Part 2 — conditions in the Act for carrier conduct Part 3 — additional carrier conditions Part 4 — Director of National Parks and Environment Secretary Part 5 — general notification requirements and objections to low‑impact facility activities.
4.1 Purpose of Chapter 4
(1) If a carrier engages, or proposes to engage, in a low‑impact facility activity, the carrier must comply with:
(2) Part 2 and Division 2 of Part 5 set out some of the carrier conditions in the Act, in simplified form, to assist the reader of the Code.
(3) Parts 3 and 4, and the other Divisions of Part 5, set out:
(a) additional carrier conditions; and
(b) the conditions on carriers related to giving notices to the Director of National Parks, the Environment Secretary, and owners and occupiers of land; and
(c) the process for owners and occupiers of land to object to a low‑impact facility activity; and
(d) the process by which objections may be resolved or referred to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
4.2 Low‑impact facility activity
A low‑impact facility activity of a carrier is any of the following activities of the carrier:
(a) installing a low‑impact facility;
(b) carrying out an activity for purposes in connection with the installation of a low‑impact facility.
Note Low‑impact facilities are specified in the Telecommunications (Low‑impact Facilities) Determination 2018.
Note on definitionsA number of words and expressions used in this Chapter are to be found in the dictionary in the Schedule, including: ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority) carrier Director of National Parks environment Environment Secretary industry standard installation listed international agreement low‑impact facility Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Note Part 2 is provided for information only: see subsection 4.1 (2). The provisions of the Act should be consulted to decide rights and obligations.
4.3A Carrier to remove temporary facilities
(b) the installation is to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from the maintenance of another facility;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the completion of the maintenance.
Note See Items 1, 2 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(2) If:
(b) the installation is to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the replacement of another facility;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the completion of the replacement.
Note See Items 3, 4 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(3) If:
(b) the installation is for the purpose of providing additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending an event at a venue;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the end of the event.
Note See Items 5 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(4) If:
(b) the installation is for the purpose of providing additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending any or all of 2 or more events at a venue;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the end of the last of the events.
Note See Items 6 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(5) If:
(b) the installation is for the purpose of providing additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are physically present in a particular area during a high‑demand holiday period;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the end of the high‑demand holiday period.
Note 1 The term ‘high‑demand holiday period’ has the same meaning as in clause 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
Note 2 See Items 7 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(6) If:
(b) the installation is wholly or partly to provide capacity to supply carriage services to one or more emergency services organisations so that those organisations can deal with an emergency or natural disaster;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the facility ceases to be needed to provide capacity to supply carriage services to one or more emergency services organisations so that those organisations can deal with an emergency or natural disaster.
Note 1 The term ‘emergency services organisation’ is defined in section 1.5 of the LIFD.
Note 2 See Item 2 of Part 7 of the Schedule to the LIFD.
4.4A Carrier to restore land—removal of temporary facilities
(1) If a carrier engages in a low‑impact facility activity, and:
(a) the activity involves the installation of a low‑impact facility for any of the following purposes:
(i) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the maintenance of another facility;
(ii) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the replacement of another facility;
(iii) to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending an event at a venue;
(iv) to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending any or all of 2 or more events at a venue;
(v) to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are physically present in a particular area during a high‑demand holiday period;
(vi) to provide capacity to supply carriage services to one or more emergency service organisations so that those organisations can deal with an emergency or natural disaster; and
(b) the carrier removes the facility;
the carrier must take all reasonable steps to ensure:
(c) that the land is restored to a condition that is similar to its condition before the installation began; and
(d) that the restoration begins within 10 business days after the removal of the facility.
Note See Items 1–8 of Part 6A and Item 2 of Part 7 of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(2) The timeframe in subparagraph 4.4A(1)(d) does not apply if the carrier agrees with:
(b) if the land is occupied by a person other than the owner—the occupier;
to commence restoration at a time after the end of that period of 10
business days.
4.4B Temporary facility installed at or near a venue—annual limit
(a) a carrier installs one or more low‑impact facilities at a particular place; and
(b) the installation is to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are:
(i) attending an event at a venue; or
(ii) attending any or all of 2 or more events at a venue;
the carrier must ensure that the total number of days in a calendar year on which those facilities remain at that place does not exceed 183.
Note 1 The annual limit relates to the time the facility remains situated on the particular land, not the number of days of the particular event.
Note 2 See Items 5, 6 and 8 of Part 6A to the Schedule of the LIFD.
4.4C Temporary facility installed to provide additional capacity during a high‑demand holiday period—annual limit
(a) a carrier installs one or more low‑impact facilities at a particular place; and
(b) the installation is to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are physically present in a particular area during a high‑demand holiday period;
the carrier must ensure that the total number of days in a calendar year on which those facilities remain at that place does not exceed 90.
Note 1 The annual limit relates to the time the facility remains situated on the particular land, not the number of days comprising the high‑demand holiday period.
Note 2 See Items 7 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
4.10 Records for certain facilities
(1) If a carrier owns or operates temporary facilities that are installed:
(a) for any of the following purposes:
(i) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the maintenance of another facility;
(ii) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the replacement of another facility;
(iii) to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are physically present in a particular area during a high‑demand holiday period;
(iv) wholly or partly to provide capacity to supply carriage services to one or more emergency services organisations so that those organisations can deal with an emergency or natural disaster;
the carrier must keep and maintain records of:
(b) each kind of temporary facility;
(c) the purpose for which the temporary facility was installed;
(d) the day on which the temporary facility was installed;
(e) the location where the temporary facility was installed;
(f) the circumstances which gave rise to the requirement for the temporary facility to be installed;
(g) the day on which the temporary facility was removed;
(h) where the temporary facility includes a tower—the height of the facility; and
(i) where the temporary facility is not a tower, the height and length of the facility.
Note 1 See Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(2) If a carrier owns or operates temporary facilities that are installed for the purpose of providing additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending one or more events at a venue, the carrier must keep and maintain records of:
(a) each of the matters described in paragraphs 4.10(1)(b)‑(i) above;
(b) the start time and date of the particular event or events;
(c) the end time and date of the particular event or events; and
(d) the name and location of the particular venue where the event or events will be held.
Note 1 See Act, Schedule 1, clause 41, which defines the terms designated overhead line, telecommunications transmission tower and eligible underground facility.
Note 2 See Items 5, 6 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
4.13 Co‑location
(1) Before engaging in a low‑impact facility activity, a carrier must take all reasonable steps to find out whether any of the following things (existing facilities) is available for the activity:
(a) cabling, conduits or other facilities of the carrier or another carrier; or
(b) a facility of a public utility; or
(c) an easement attaching to the land for a public purpose.
(2) The carrier must take all reasonable steps to use existing facilities for the activity.
4.14 Cooperation about activities
Before engaging in a low‑impact facility activity, a carrier (the first carrier) must take all reasonable steps:
(a) to find out whether another carrier, or a public utility, is engaging in, or proposing to engage in, a similar activity for the same land; and
(b) to consider whether it is practicable to work with the other carrier or the utility to allow the first carrier:
(i) to cause as little detriment and inconvenience as is practicable; and
(ii) to do as little damage as is practicable.
Note The carrier is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the carrier causes as little detriment and inconvenience, and does as little damage, as practicable in engaging in the activity: see Act, Schedule 3, clause 8.
4.16 Notice to Director of National Parks
(1) The Director of National Parks is responsible for the administration, management and control of Commonwealth reserved and conservation zones under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
(2) If a proposed low‑impact facility activity of a carrier is likely to be undertaken in, or have an effect on, any of the areas for which the Director is responsible, the carrier must notify the Director in writing of the activity.
4.17 Notice to Environment Secretary
(1) Before engaging in a low‑impact facility activity, a carrier must take all reasonable steps to find out whether the carrier would be required to notify the Environment Secretary of the activity under this section.
(2) However, the carrier and the Environment Secretary may agree, in writing, on how the carrier is to find out whether the carrier would be required to notify the Environment Secretary.
(3) The carrier must notify the Environment Secretary, in writing, of a proposed low‑impact facility activity, at least 10 business days before the start of the activity, if subsection (4), (5) or (6) applies to the activity.
(f) could damage the whole or a part of a place, or an ecological community, essential to the continuing existence of a threatened species of flora or fauna; or
(j) could have a significant impact on the value of the National Heritage List place or a World Heritage List property.
(5) The carrier must notify the Environment Secretary if the carrier proposes to engage in the activity at any of the following places:
(a) a declared World Heritage property (as identified in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999);;
(c) an area that, under a law of the Commonwealth, is reserved wholly or principally for nature conservation purposes (however described);
(6) The carrier must notify the Environment Secretary if the carrier proposes to engage in the activity at or near an area or thing of particular significance to Aboriginal persons, or Torres Strait Islanders, in accordance with their traditions.
(a) a carrier must notify the Environment Secretary of a proposed
low‑impact facility activity; and
(c) the carrier has an agreement with the Director under section 4.16 for alternative notification arrangements; and
(a) tell the Secretary, when notifying the Secretary, that the carrier has the agreement with the Director ; and
4.18 Notification agreements
(1) A carrier must give a copy of each agreement entered into by the carrier under sections 4.16 and 4.17 to the ACMA within 30 business days after entering into the agreement.
(1) The Environment Secretary may give a carrier a notice requiring the carrier not to engage, or continue to engage, in a low‑impact facility activity.
(2) The notice must invite the carrier to give the Secretary information that will help the Secretary to consider the form of the final notice under section 4.20.
4.20 Final notice
(1) This section applies if the Environment Secretary has given a carrier a notice under section 4.19 about a low‑impact facility activity.
(2) The Secretary must consider any information given to the Secretary by the carrier in response to the notice (and any other relevant matters), and give a carrier a final notice, within a reasonable time:
(c) revoking the original notice, but imposing conditions about how the carrier should engage, or continue to engage, in the activity.
(b) the impact of the activity on the carrier, and on customers of the carrier who would be directly affected by the decision.
Part 5 General notification arrangements and objections to low‑impact facility activities
Simplified outline of Part 5This Part sets out rules for notifying owners and occupiers of land about a low‑impact facility activity. It also sets out rules for the owners and occupiers to object to the activity.The effect of this Part is that: The carrier must notify owners and occupiers about low‑impact facility activities in accordance with the Act and this Code An owner or occupier has an opportunity to object to the activity The carrier must try to resolve the objection by agreement If there is no agreement, the objection can be referred to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
4.21 Purpose of Part 5
(1) Under clause 17 of Schedule 3 to the Act, a carrier must give written notice to the owner (and, if the land is occupied by someone other than the owner, the occupier) of its intention to engage in a low‑impact facility activity.
(2) Clause 54 of Schedule 3 to the Act sets out arrangements for a carrier to serve notice on an owner or occupier of land if the owner or occupier cannot be found after diligent inquiry.
(3) Division 2 sets out, in simplified form, the notification requirements of clauses 17 and 54 of Schedule 3 as they apply to low‑impact facility activities.
(4) Divisions 3 to 5 set out additional arrangements for notification, and arrangements for the owner or occupier to object to the activity.
4.22 Application of Part 5
(1) Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of this Part do not apply to a low‑impact facility activity if the carrier engages in it as a response to a disaster declaration.
(2) Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of this Part do not apply to a low‑impact facility activity if the carrier engages in it in other circumstances in which the safety of life or property is endangered.
(3) Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of this Part do not apply to a low‑impact facility activity if the owner or occupier of the land has asked the carrier to engage in the activity as part of the installation of another facility.
(4) For this Part, the occupier of public land is:
(a) the person authorised to occupy the land; or
(b) if no person is authorised — the authority, Department or person responsible for the care and management of the land.
Note Several of the sections in this Division are provided for information only. The provisions of the Act should be consulted to decide rights and obligations.
4.23 Notice to owner and occupier of land
(1) Before engaging in a low‑impact facility activity, a carrier must give written notice of its intention to do so to:
(3) The notice must also contain a statement to the effect that, if a person suffers financial loss or damage in relation to property because of anything done by the carrier in engaging in the activity, compensation may be payable under clause 42 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
(3A) Where the low‑impact facility activity relates to installing a temporary facility, the notice must also specify:
(a) in all circumstances:
(i) the particular purpose for which the installation is proposed;
(ii) where the temporary facility includes a tower—the height of the tower;
(iii) the physical address at which the temporary facility will be installed;
(iv) the day on which the temporary facility is planned to be installed;
(v) the day on which the temporary facility is planned to be removed; and
(b) in a circumstance where the installation of the temporary facility is to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending one or more events at a venue:
(i) the matters listed in subparagraphs (a)(i)‑(v) above;
(ii) the physical address of each venue; and
(iii) the days on which each event will take place, including the scheduled start and end time.
Note 1 Where a temporary facility is to be installed to provide additional capacity to supply carriage services to persons who are attending any or all of 2 or more events at a venue, the carrier may provide one notification covering all events at the venue.
Note 2 Where the time limit in any one calendar year has been expended in respect of the location of a temporary facility on a particular parcel of land, that land cannot be used by the carrier for the remainder of that calendar year for siting of another temporary facility of the same kind for the same purpose on any part of that land.
Note 3 For paragraph 4.23(3A)(a), see Items 1–4, 7 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
Note 4 For paragraph 4.23(3A)(b), see Items 5, 6 and 8 of Part 6A of the Schedule to the LIFD.
(5) However, the carrier is not required to give the notice in circumstances mentioned in subclauses 17 (5) to (8) of Schedule 3 to the Act.
4.24 Serving notices if owner unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out who owns particular land, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the owner of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
4.25 Serving notices if occupier unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the occupier of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the occupier by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out whether particular land is occupied, or who occupies particular land, the carrier may treat the land as unoccupied.
4.26 Notice to owner and occupier of land: additional requirements
(1) A carrier must include in a notice mentioned in section 4.23:
(a) details of the actions that the carrier expects to take, as part of the low‑impact facility activity, on land affected by the activity; and
(2) If the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has issued a document setting out how the carrier is to explain the arrangements for making objections to the activity, the carrier must comply with the document.
4.26A Withdrawal of notices
(1) This section applies to a carrier who has given a notice (the original notice) to an owner or occupier of land for a low‑impact facility activity in accordance with this Code.
(2) If the carrier cancels the activity, the carrier must give written notice to the owner or occupier that the original notice is withdrawn (a withdrawal notice).
(3) The withdrawal notice must describe the activity specified in the original notice that has been cancelled.
Note: If more than one activity was specified in the original notice, the withdrawal notice must describe each activity that has been cancelled.
(5) The withdrawal notice must be given by the carrier within 5 business days after the decision to cancel the activity is made.
4.27 Agreement on alternative notification arrangements
(1) A carrier may agree in writing with an owner or occupier of land affected by a low‑impact facility activity for alternative notification arrangements.
(2) A carrier may agree in writing with the manager of public land affected by a low‑impact facility activity for alternative notification arrangements.
(3) The carrier must comply with an agreement.
(4) The carrier must give a copy of an agreement with the manager of public land to the ACMA within 30 business days after making the agreement.
4.28 Additional arrangements for serving notices
(1) If a carrier serves a notice under section 4.24 or 4.25, the carrier must, if practicable after engaging in the low‑impact facility activity, attach to a conspicuous part of the land a copy of another notice that:
(b) describes the low‑impact facility activity.
(2) However, the carrier is not required to fix the notice on occupied land if the carrier has been able to give the occupier a notice about the activity either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6.
4.29 Objection to low‑impact facility activity
(1) If a carrier gives notice to an owner or occupier of land of its intention to engage in a low‑impact facility activity, the owner or occupier (the objector) may give the carrier a written objection to the activity.
4.30 Reasons for objection
(e) the carrier’s proposals to minimise detriment and inconvenience, and to do as little damage as practicable, to the objector’s land.
Note The carrier is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the carrier causes as little detriment and inconvenience, and does as little damage, as practicable in engaging in the activity: see Act, Schedule 3, clause 8.
4.31 Time for giving objection to carrier
The objection must be given to the carrier at least 5 business days before the carrier proposes to engage in the low‑impact facility activity.
4.32 Activity after objection
If the objection complies with sections 4.29 to 4.31, the carrier must not engage in the low‑impact facility activity unless 1 of the following situations happens:
Situation 2 A request to refer the objection to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is not received by the carrier within the 5 business days mentioned in section 4.36.
Situation 3 The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman deals with the objection without giving a direction to the carrier, and the Ombudsman informs the carrier in writing of that outcome.
4.33 Consultation
(1) The carrier must make reasonable efforts to consult the objector about the objection within 5 business days after receiving the objection.
(2) The carrier must also make reasonable efforts to resolve the objection by agreement with the objector within 20 business days after receiving the objection.
Note An agreement with the objector allows the carrier to engage in the low‑impact facility activity: see s 4.32, situation 1.
4.34 Changes to low‑impact facility activity
(1) If the objection is not resolved by agreement within 20 business days after receiving the objection, the carrier must consider whether to change the low‑impact facility activity.
(c) is likely to have a greater adverse effect on the environment than engaging in the activity as originally proposed; or
(b) if the carrier does not propose to change the activity — why the carrier will engage in the activity as originally proposed.
4.35 Application of Division 5
4.36 Request to refer objection to Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
(1) Within 5 business days after the objector receives the carrier’s response to the objection, the objector may ask the carrier, in writing, to refer the objection to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Note If the objector does not ask the carrier to refer the objection, the carrier may engage in the low‑impact facility activity: see s 4.32, situation 2.
4.36A Referral of matters by carrier to Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
(a) the carrier has made reasonable efforts to resolve the matter within 10 business days after commencing consultation on the matter; and
(ii) a copy of the notice given to the owner or occupier under section 4.23; and
4.37 Compliance with directions of Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
(1) Subject to this section, if the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman gives a direction to the carrier about the way in which the carrier should engage in the low‑impact facility activity, the carrier must comply with the direction.
(2) This section applies only if the objection which is the subject of the direction comes, in whole or in part, within the jurisdiction of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Note 1 If the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman deals with the objection without giving a direction to the carrier, and the Ombudsman informs the carrier in writing of that outcome, the carrier may engage in the land entry activity: see s 4.32, situation 3.
Chapter 5 Temporary defence facilities
Simplified outline of Chapter 5Division 3 of Schedule 3 to the Telecommunications Act 1997 authorises a carrier to enter on land and install facilities, including temporary defence facilities.This Chapter sets out conditions to be complied with by a carrier in installing a temporary defence facility.The Chapter has 4 Parts.The Parts deal with the following matters: Part 1 — introduction Part 3 — additional carrier condition Part 4 — Director of National Parks and Environment Secretary Part 5 — general notification arrangements.
5.1 Purpose of Chapter 5
(1) If a carrier engages, or proposes to engage, in a temporary defence facility activity, the carrier must comply with:
(2) Division 2 of Part 5 sets out some of the carrier conditions in the Act, in simplified form, to assist the reader of the Code.
(3) Part 3 and the other Divisions of Part 5 set out:
(a) an additional carrier condition; and
(b) the conditions on carriers related to giving notices to the Director of National Parks, the Environment Secretary, and owners and occupiers of land.
5.2 Temporary defence facility activity
A temporary defence facility activity of a carrier is any of the following activities of the carrier:
(a) installing a temporary defence facility;
(b) carrying out an activity for purposes in connection with the installation of a temporary defence facility.
Note on definitionsA number of words and expressions used in this Chapter are to be found in the dictionary in the Schedule, including: ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority) carrier Director of National Parks environment Environment Secretary industry standard installation listed international agreement temporary defence facility.
Part 3 Additional carrier condition
5.11 Requirements of defence agencies
A carrier must engage in a temporary defence facility activity in accordance with any standard or other requirement that:
(a) relates to the activity; and
(b) is notified to the carrier, in writing, by:
(i) the Chief of the Defence Force; or
(ii) the Secretary to the Department of Defence.
5.12 Notice to Director of National Parks
(1) The Director of National Parks is responsible for the administration, management and control of Commonwealth reserved and conservation zones under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
(2) If a proposed temporary defence facility activity of a carrier is likely to be undertaken in, or have an effect on, any of the areas for which the Director is responsible, the carrier must notify the Director in writing of the activity before starting the activity, if practicable.
Part 5 General notification arrangements
5.13 Purpose of Part 5
(1) Under clause 17 of Schedule 3 to the Act, a carrier must give written notice to the owner (and, if the land is occupied by someone other than the owner, the occupier) of its intention to engage in a temporary defence facility activity.
(2) Clause 54 of Schedule 3 to the Act sets out arrangements for a carrier to serve notice on an owner or occupier of land if the owner or occupier cannot be found after diligent inquiry.
(3) Division 2 sets out, in simplified form, the notification requirements of clauses 17 and 54 of Schedule 3 as they apply to temporary defence facility activities.
(4) Division 3 sets out additional arrangements for notification.
Note This Division is provided for information only: see subsection 5.1 (2). The provisions of the Act should be consulted to decide rights and obligations.
5.14 Notice to owner and occupier of land
(1) Before engaging in a temporary defence facility activity, a carrier must give written notice of its intention to do so to:
(3) The notice must also contain a statement to the effect that, if a person suffers financial loss or damage in relation to property because of anything done by the carrier in engaging in the activity, compensation may be payable under clause 42 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
(5) However, the carrier is not required to give the notice in circumstances mentioned in subclauses 17 (5) to (7) of Schedule 3 to the Act.
5.15 Serving notices if owner unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out who owns particular land, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the owner of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
5.16 Serving notices if occupier unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the occupier of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the occupier by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out whether particular land is occupied, or who occupies particular land, the carrier may treat the land as unoccupied.
5.17 Agreement on alternative notification arrangements
(1) A carrier may agree in writing with an owner or occupier of land affected by a temporary defence facility activity for alternative notification arrangements.
(2) The carrier must give a copy of an agreement to the ACMA before acting under the agreement.
(3) The carrier must comply with an agreement.
5.18 Additional arrangements for serving notices
(1) If a carrier serves a notice under section 5.16 or 5.17, the carrier must, if practicable after engaging in the temporary defence facility activity, attach to a conspicuous part of the land a copy of another notice that:
(2) However, the carrier is not required to fix the notice on occupied land if the carrier has been able to give the occupier a notice about the activity either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6.
Chapter 6 Maintenance of facilities
Simplified outline of Chapter 6Under Division 4 of Schedule 3 to the Telecommunications Act 1997, a carrier may maintain a facility at any time.The carrier may do anything necessary or desirable for that purpose, including: entering on, and occupying, land; and removing, or erecting a gate in, a fence.This Chapter sets out conditions to be complied with by a carrier in maintaining a facility.The Chapter has 5 Parts.The Parts deal with the following matters: Part 1 — introduction Part 2 — conditions in the Act for carrier conduct Part 4 — Director of National Parks and Environment Secretary Part 5 — general notification arrangements and objections to maintenance activities.
6.1 Purpose of Chapter 6
(1) If a carrier engages, or proposes to engage, in a maintenance activity, the carrier must comply with:
(2) Part 2 and Division 2 of Part 5 set out some of the carrier conditions in the Act, in simplified form, to assist the reader of the Code.
(3) Part 4, and the other Divisions of Part 5, set out:
(a) the conditions on carriers related to giving notices to the Director of National Parks, the Environment Secretary, and owners and occupiers of land; and
(b) the process for owners and occupiers of land to object to a maintenance activity; and
(c) the process by which objections may be resolved or referred to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
6.2 Maintenance activity
A maintenance activity of a carrier is any of the following activities of the carrier:
(a) maintaining a facility;
(b) carrying out an activity for purposes in connection with the maintenance of a facility.
Note 1 The term ‘maintenance’ is defined in the Dictionary.
Note 2 The maintenance of a facility includes a reference to the installation of a temporary facility (other than a tower within the meaning of subclause 6(5) of Schedule 3 to the Act) where certain conditions are satisfied; see subclause 7(3A) of Schedule 3 to the Act.
Note on definitionsA number of words and expressions used in this Chapter are to be found in the dictionary in the Schedule, including: ACMA (the Australian Communications and Media Authority) carrier environment Director of National Parks Environment Secretary industry standard installation listed international agreement Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Note Part 2 is provided for information only: see subsection 6.1 (2). The provisions of the Act should be consulted to decide rights and obligations.
6.3A Carrier to remove temporary facilities within 28 days
If a carrier engages in a maintenance activity in relation to any land and, as part of that maintenance:
(a) the carrier installs a low‑impact facility on particular land; and
(b) the installation of the facility is for one of the following purposes:
(i) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from the maintenance of another facility; or
(ii) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the replacement of another facility;
the carrier must remove the facility within 28 days after the completion of the maintenance of the original facility.
6.4A Carrier to restore land—removal of temporary facilities
(1) If a carrier engages in a maintenance activity in relation to any land and, as part of that maintenance:
(a) the carrier installs a low‑impact facility on particular land; and
(b) the installation of the facility is on a temporary basis for one of the following purposes:
(i) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from the maintenance of another facility; or
(ii) to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the replacement of another facility;
(c) the carrier removes the facility;
the carrier must take all reasonable steps to ensure:
(d) that the land is restored to a condition that is similar to its condition before the installation began; and
(e) that the restoration begins within 10 business days after the removal of the facility.
(2) The timeframe in subsection 6.4A(1)(e) does not apply if the carrier agrees with:
(b) if the land is occupied by a person other than the owner—the occupier;
to commence restoration at a time after the end of that period of 10 business days.
6.10 Records for certain facilities
(1) If a carrier owns or operates temporary facilities that are installed to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from the maintenance of another facility, the carrier must keep and maintain records of:
(a) the kind of temporary facility and height;
(b) the location where the temporary facility was installed;
(c) the day on which each temporary facility was installed;
(d) the purpose for which the temporary facility was installed, including:
(i) details of the other facility (including height and type) that is the subject of maintenance activity;
(ii) the day on which maintenance of the other facility commenced; and
(iii) the day on which maintenance of the other facility ceased; and
(iv) the day on which each temporary facility was removed.
(2) If a carrier owns or operates temporary facilities that are installed to minimise disruption to the supply of a carriage service that might result from carrying out the replacement of another facility, the carrier must keep and maintain records of:
(a) the kind of temporary facility and height;
(b) the location where the temporary facility was installed;
(c) the days on which the temporary facility was installed;
(d) the purpose for which the temporary facility was installed, including:
(i) details of the other facility (including height and type) that is being replaced;
(ii) the date upon on which replacement of the other facility commenced; and
(iii) the day on which replacement of the other facility ceased; and
(iv) the day on which each temporary facility was removed.
6.15 Notice to Director of National Parks
(1) The Director of National Parks is responsible for the administration, management and control of Commonwealth reserved and conservation zones under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
(2) If a proposed maintenance activity of a carrier is likely to be undertaken in, or have an effect on, any of the areas for which the Director is responsible, the carrier must notify the Director in writing of the activity.
6.16 Notice to Environment Secretary
(1) A carrier must notify the Environment Secretary, in writing, of a proposed maintenance activity, at least 10 business days before starting the activity, if subsection (2), (3) or (4) applies to the activity.
(2) The carrier must notify the Environment Secretary if the activity:
(f) could damage the whole or a part of a place, or an ecological community, essential to the continuing existence of a threatened species of flora or fauna; or
(j) could have a significant impact on the value of the National Heritage List place or a World Heritage List property.
(3) The carrier must notify the Environment Secretary if the carrier proposes to engage in the activity at any of the following places:
(a) a declared World Heritage property (as identified in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999);
(c) an area that, under a law of the Commonwealth, is reserved wholly or principally for nature conservation purposes (however described);
(4) The carrier must notify the Environment Secretary if the carrier proposes to engage in the activity at or near an area or thing of particular significance to Aboriginal persons, or Torres Strait Islanders, in accordance with their traditions.
(5) However, the carrier and the Environment Secretary may agree, in writing, for alternative notification arrangements.
(6) Subsection (7) applies if:
(a) a carrier must notify the Environment Secretary of a proposed maintenance activity; and
(c) the carrier has an agreement with the Director under section 6.15 for alternative notification arrangements; and
(7) The carrier must:
6.17 Notification agreements
(1) A carrier must give a copy of each agreement entered into by the carrier under sections 6.15 and 6.16 to the ACMA within 30 business days after entering into the agreement.
6.18 Interim notice stopping maintenance activity
(1) The Environment Secretary may give a carrier a notice requiring the carrier not to engage, or continue to engage, in a maintenance activity.
(2) The notice must invite the carrier to give the Secretary information that will help the Secretary to consider the form of the final notice under section 6.19.
6.19 Final notice
(1) This section applies if the Environment Secretary has given a carrier a notice under section 6.18 about a maintenance activity.
(2) The Secretary must consider any information given to the Secretary by the carrier in response to the notice (and any other relevant matters), and give a carrier a final notice, within a reasonable time:
(c) revoking the original notice, but imposing conditions about how the carrier should engage, or continue to engage, in the activity.
(b) the impact of the activity on the carrier, and on customers of the carrier who would be directly affected by the decision.
Part 5 General notification arrangements and objections to maintenance activities
Simplified outline of Part 5This Part sets out rules for notifying owners and occupiers of land about a maintenance activity. It also sets out rules for the owners and occupiers to object to the activity.The effect of this Part is that: The carrier must notify owners and occupiers about maintenance activities in accordance with the Act and this Code An owner or occupier has an opportunity to object to the activity The carrier must try to resolve the objection by agreement If there is no agreement, the objection can be referred to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
6.20 Purpose of Part 5
(1) Under clause 17 of Schedule 3 to the Act, a carrier must give written notice to the owner (and, if the land is occupied by someone other than the owner, the occupier) of its intention to engage in a maintenance activity.
(2) Clause 54 of Schedule 3 to the Act sets out arrangements for a carrier to serve notice on an owner or occupier of land if the owner or occupier cannot be found after diligent inquiry.
(3) Division 2 sets out, in simplified form, the notification requirements of clauses 17 and 54 of Schedule 3 as they apply to maintenance activities.
(4) Divisions 3 to 5 set out additional arrangements for notification, and arrangements for the owner or occupier to object to the activity.
6.21 Application of Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of Part 5
(1) Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of this Part do not apply to a maintenance activity if the carrier engages in it as a response to a disaster declaration.
(2) Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of this Part do not apply to a maintenance activity if the carrier engages in it in other circumstances in which the safety of life or property is endangered.
(3) Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of this Part do not apply to a maintenance activity if the owner or occupier of the land has asked the carrier to engage in the activity as part of the installation of another facility.
Note This Division is provided for information only: see subsection 6.1 (2). The provisions of the Act should be consulted to decide rights and obligations.
6.22 Notice to owner and occupier of land
(1) Before engaging in a maintenance activity, a carrier must give written notice of its intention to do so to:
(3) The notice must also contain a statement to the effect that, if a person suffers financial loss or damage in relation to property because of anything done by the carrier in engaging in the activity, compensation may be payable under clause 42 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
(5) However, the carrier is not required to give the notice in circumstances mentioned in subclauses 17 (5) to (7) of Schedule 3 to the Act.
6.23 Serving notices if owner unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out who owns particular land, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the owner of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the owner of the land by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in a district in which the land is situated and:
6.24 Serving notices if occupier unknown
(1) If a carrier is unable to serve a notice on the occupier of land either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6, the carrier may serve a notice on the occupier by publishing a copy of the notice in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the land is situated and:
(2) If a carrier is unable, after diligent inquiry, to find out whether particular land is occupied, or who occupies particular land, the carrier may treat the land as unoccupied.
6.25 Notice to owner and occupier of land: additional requirements
(1) A carrier must include in a notice mentioned in section 6.22:
(a) details of the actions that the carrier expects to take, as part of the activity, on land affected by the activity; and
(2) If the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has issued a document setting out how the carrier is to explain the arrangements for making objections to the activity, the carrier must comply with the document.
6.25A Withdrawal of notices
(1) This section applies to a carrier who has given a notice (the original notice) to an owner or occupier of land for a maintenance activity in accordance with this Code.
(2) If the carrier cancels the activity, the carrier must give written notice to the owner or occupier that the original notice is withdrawn (a withdrawal notice).
(3) The withdrawal notice under must describe the activity specified in the original notice that has been cancelled.
Note: If more than one activity was specified in the original notice, the withdrawal notice must describe each activity that has been cancelled.
(5) The withdrawal notice must be given by the carrier within 5 business days after the decision to cancel the activity is made.
6.26 Additional arrangements for serving notices
(1) If a carrier serves a notice under section 6.23 or 6.24, the carrier must, if practicable after engaging in the maintenance activity, attach to a conspicuous part of the land a copy of another notice that:
(2) However, the carrier is not required to fix the notice on occupied land if the carrier has been able to give the occupier a notice about the activity either personally, or by post, in accordance with section 1.6.
6.27 Agreement on alternative notification arrangements
(1) A carrier may agree in writing with an owner or occupier of land affected by a maintenance activity for alternative notification arrangements.
6.28 Objection to maintenance activity
(1) If a carrier gives notice to an owner or occupier of land of its intention to engage in a maintenance activity, the owner or occupier (the objector) may give the carrier a written objection to the activity.
6.29 Reasons for objection
(e) the carrier’s proposals to minimise detriment and inconvenience, and to do as little damage as practicable, to the objector’s land.
Note The carrier is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the carrier causes as little detriment and inconvenience, and does as little damage, as practicable in engaging in the activity: see Act, Schedule 3, clause 8.
6.30 Time for giving objection to carrier
The objection must be given to the carrier at least 5 business days before the carrier proposes to engage in the maintenance activity.
6.31 Activity after objection
If the objection complies with sections 6.28 to 6.30, the carrier may only engage in the maintenance activity if 1 of the following situations happens:
Situation 2 A request to refer the objection to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is not received by the carrier within the 5 business days mentioned in section 6.35.
Situation 3 The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman deals with the objection without giving a direction to the carrier, and the Ombudsman informs the carrier in writing of that outcome.
6.32 Consultation
(1) The carrier must make reasonable efforts to consult the objector about the objection within 5 business days after receiving the objection.
(2) The carrier must also make reasonable efforts to resolve the objection by agreement with the objector within 20 business days after receiving the objection.
Note An agreement with the objector allows the carrier to engage in the maintenance activity: see s 6.31, situation 1.
6.33 Changes to maintenance activity
(1) If the objection is not resolved by agreement within 20 business days after receiving the objection, the carrier must consider whether to change the maintenance activity.
(c) is likely to have a greater adverse effect on the environment than engaging in the activity as originally proposed; or
(b) if the carrier does not propose to change the activity — why the carrier will engage in the activity as originally proposed.
(4) If the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has issued a document explaining how the carrier is to deal with the objector under subsection (3), the carrier must comply with the document.
6.34 Application of Division 5
6.35 Request to refer objection to Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
(1) Within 5 business days after the objector receives the carrier’s response to the objection, the objector may ask the carrier, in writing, to refer the objection to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Note If the objector does not ask the carrier to refer the objection, the carrier may engage in the maintenance activity: see s 6.31, situation 2.
6.35A Referral of matters by carrier to Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
(a) the carrier has made reasonable efforts to resolve the matter within 10 business days after commencing consultation on the matter; and
(ii) a copy of the notice given to the owner or occupier under section 6.22; and
6.36 Compliance with directions of Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
(1) Subject to this section, if the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman gives a direction to the carrier about the way in which the carrier should engage in the maintenance activity, the carrier must comply with the direction.
(2) This section applies only if the objection which is the subject of the direction comes, in whole or in part, within the jurisdiction of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Note 1 If the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman deals with the objection without giving a direction to the carrier, and the Ombudsman informs the carrier in writing of that outcome, the carrier may engage in the land entry activity: see s 6.31, situation 3.
Note 2 If the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman gives a direction to the carrier, the carrier may engage in the land entry activity: see s 6.31, situation 4.
Schedule Dictionary
(section 1.3)
Note Definitions marked ** are taken from section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Note: Definitions marked * are taken from clause 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act. See subsection 1.3 (3).
* Aboriginal person means a person of the Aboriginal race of Australia.
* ACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Act means the Telecommunications Act 1997.
aerial cabling means a cable:
(a) used, or intended for use, in or in connection with a telecommunications network; and
(b) suspended, or intended to be suspended, above the surface of:
(i) land (other than submerged land); or
(ii) a river, lake, tidal inlet, estuary, harbour or other body of water.
business day means a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in the place concerned.
* carrier means the holder of a carrier licence.
certifiable facility has the same meaning as in the LIFD.
* defence organisation means:
(a) the Department of Defence; or
(b) the Australian Defence Force; or
(c) an organisation of a foreign country, so far as the organisation:
(i) has functions corresponding to the functions of, or of a part of, the Department of Defence or the Australian Defence Force; and
(ii) is authorised by the Commonwealth to operate or train in Australia or an external Territory; or
(d) a part of such an organisation or body.
Director of National Parks means the Director of National Parks under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
disaster declaration means a declaration of a disaster, emergency or similar event made by:
(a) the Commonwealth, or a State or Territory; or
(b) a Commonwealth, State or Territory authority that is responsible for managing the public response to an event of that kind.
* ecological community has the meaning given under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
endangered ecological community: see the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
* enter on land includes enter on a public place.
* environment has the same meaning as in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999.
* Environment Secretary means the Secretary to the Department responsible for the administration of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
** facility means:
(a) any part of the infrastructure of a telecommunications network; or
(b) any line, equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna, tunnel, duct, hole, pit, pole or other structure or thing used, or for use, in or in connection with a telecommunications network.
high‑demand holiday period has the same meaning as in clause 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
industry standard means a standard generally recognised by the Australian telecommunications industry as a standard for use in the industry.
* installation, in relation to a facility, includes:
(a) the construction of the facility on, over or under any land; and
(b) the attachment of the facility to any building or other structure; and
(c) any activity that is ancillary or incidental to the installation of the facility (for this purpose, installation includes an activity covered by paragraph (a) or (b)).
installation certificate, in relation to the installation of a certifiable facility, means a document:
(a) that relates to the installation of the certifiable facility; and
(b) that is one of the following kinds of documents:
(i) an as built structural compliance certificate;
(ii) an electrical certificate of compliance;
(iii) a drawing or design referred to, incorporated in or attached to a document in subparagraph (i) or (ii); and
(c) that was prepared by a suitably qualified person with appropriate experience and competence in the relevant field, who holds qualifications consistent with the State and Territory requirements in relation to the document (if any).
* international agreement means:
(a) a convention to which Australia is a party; or
(b) an agreement or arrangement between Australia and a foreign country;
and includes, for example, an agreement, arrangement or understanding between a Minister and an official or authority of a foreign country.
* land includes submerged land (but does not include submerged land that is beneath Australian waters within the meaning of Schedule 3A to the Act).
land entry activity: see section 2.2.
LIFD means the Telecommunications (Low‑impact Facilities) Determination 2018.
** line means a wire, cable, optical fibre, tube, conduit, waveguide or other physical medium used, or for use, as a continuous artificial guide for or in connection with carrying communications by means of guided electromagnetic energy.
* listed international agreement means an international agreement specified in the regulations.
low‑impact facility means a facility determined by the Minister under subclause 6 (3) of Schedule 3 to the Act to be a low‑impact facility.
Note 1 For specification by class, see subsection 13(3) of the Legislation Act 2003.
Note 2 Low‑impact facilities are specified in the Telecommunications (Low‑impact Facilities) Determination 2018.
low‑impact facility activity: see section 4.2.
* maintenance, for a facility, see clause 7 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
maintenance activity: see section 6.2.
objector: see:
(a) for Chapter 2 — section 2.28;
(b) for Chapter 4 — section 4.29;
(c) for Chapter 6 — section 6.28.
premises includes a building, structure, caravan and mobile home.
prescribed activity: see section 1A.2.
public land has the same meaning as in clause 2 of Schedule 3 to the Act.
* public place includes a place to which members of the public have ready access.
* public utility means a body that provides to the public:
(a) reticulated products or services, such as electricity, gas, water, sewerage or drainage; or
(b) carriage services (other than carriage services supplied by a carriage service provider); or
(c) transport services; or
(d) a product or service of a kind that is similar to a product or service covered by paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
Note A relevant local government authority may be a public utility if it provides to the public any of the products or services listed in paragraphs (a) to (d).
relevant local government authority, for an activity in a State or Territory, means an authority of the State or Territory responsible for the local government of the area where the activity happens or is to happen.
street means:
(a) a place where general vehicle traffic occurs; or
(b) a place where general vehicle traffic would happen except for the construction of barriers to traffic;
but does not include a driveway, a bicycle path or a parking lot.
Examples of streets
Note: A place described as a lane, crescent, avenue, street, road or highway
Note: A pedestrian mall
Note: A road that has been closed to traffic.
subscriber, for a carrier, includes a proposed or potential subscriber.
subscriber connection means an installation for the sole purpose of connecting premises to a line forming part of a telecommunications network.
subscriber connection activity: see section 3.2.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
telecommunications transmission tower, or tower, means a tower, pole or mast used for telecommunications transmissions.
temporary defence facility means a temporary facility for use by, or on behalf of, a defence organisation for defence purposes.
temporary defence facility activity: see section 5.2.
third party: see section 3.22.
* threatened species means a species that is included in one of the following categories of the list of threatened species kept under Division 1 of Part 13 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:
(a) extinct in the wild;
(b) critically endangered;
(c) endangered;
(d) vulnerable.
* Torres Strait Islander means a descendant of an indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait Islands.
Note: Endnotes
Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted
o = order(s)
am = amended
Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment
orig = original
c = clause(s)
par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x
/sub‑subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)
pres = present
def = definition(s)
prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary
(prev…) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament
Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)
r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change
reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have
renum = renumbered
effect
rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation
rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette
s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003
Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003
Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given
SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect
SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment
Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect
SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification
underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)
commenced or to be commenced
Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history
Name
Registration
Commencement
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Telecommunications Code of Practice 2021
8 Nov 2021 (F2021L01524)
9 Nov 2021 (s 1.2(1))
Telecommunications Code of Practice (Installation Certificate Waivers) Amendment Instrument 2025
7 Mar 2025 (F2025L00291)
8 Mar 2025 (s 2)
—
Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected
How affected
s 1.2....................
rep LA s 48D
s 1A.7...................
am F2025L00291
Part Part 7 - Telecommunications Code of Practice 2021 - General notification arrangements | Zoe