Draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines - July 2010

Landform Features
Views
Edges or Contrasts
Natural or Undeveloped
Character
A topographical feature or landmark such as a headland or a volcanic
cone that provides contrast with the surrounding landscape.
The viewpoint is open and publicly accessible; the view is a panorama, a
broad prospect, or a linear view to a defined object or group of objects;
and it offers a cohesive viewing experience.
The boundary between two landscape elements e.g. the coastline (the
boundary between sea and land); the edge of a forest or a forest
clearing; the boundary between vegetation types or different landform
types; the intersection between a range of hills and a plain; a cliff or a
beach; an incised valley.
A landscape that is devoid of any development, or a landscape in which
its natural characteristics visually predominate over any development that
may be present.
Determine Levels of ‘Visual’ Significance
For each level of visual significance (local, regional and state), a threshold is defined for
each landscape component in the significance criterion. A place is designated of state
significance if any one of its landscape components (landform features; views or edges;
and natural or undeveloped character) is rated ‘exceptional’. Similarly, a place is
designated of regional significance if any one of its landscape components is rated ‘high’;
and designated of local significance if any one of its landscape components is rated
‘moderate' *
The following table explains how different ratings can be applied to arrive at levels of
significance.
Source: Adapted from Coastal Spaces Landscape Assessment Study, 2006
* Note that when utilising the table of significance criteria, that a landscape with exceptional visual
qualities, even high visual qualities would automatically have local level significance as well as at
state and regional level.
Page 96 Draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines – 2 July 2010