Visual Assesment
Chenoweth EPLA is one of Queensland's leading consultancy practices specialising in the assessment and documentation of landscape values. Assessment of scenic quality, landscape character and sensitivity to change provide valuable base information for land use planning, resource management and development assessment at regional, local government and neighbourhood scale. Scenic amenity and other cultural associations of the visible landscape are highly valued by residents and visitors, and play a significant role in tourism and quality of life perception. Visual impacts are also increasingly major issues in disputes and appeals regarding development. Through several major collaborative studies, Chenoweth EPLA has developed landscape assessment methodologies for integration with regional and local government planning. These methodologies were developed specifically to meet the need for rigorous and defensible assessments integrated in usable GIS databases and strategic land use planning, and have the flexibility to incorporate community participation or consultation. To date the techniques have been applied to the most popular and developed parts of Queensland's coastal zone (South-east Queensland, Wide Bay, Mackay-Whitsunday, Capricorn Coast and Wet Tropics regional coastlines), and have been presented at national and international conferences. The various elements of our approach include: geographic frame and land types, lookouts/scenic routes, character assessment, visibility from several viewer/receptor levels, sensitivity to change, landscape settings/viewsheds, scenic quality indicators, cultural associations and regional significance. These provide a suite of tools which can be used separately or combined in database layers for a wide range of purposes, scales and situations. Most are suitable for expert assessment and mapping, but are more reliable if combined with community consultation and participation in the assessment process and ratings. The assessment of development impacts on natural, rural or open space areas often reflect community concerns regarding both visual landscape and nature conservation values. Chenoweth EPLA has expert capabilities to evaluate and integrate the various 'green' issues to focus on relevant impacts. Our expertise in scenic quality and landscape assessment contributes to our strong reputation in visual impact analysis of proposed developments, as part of environmental impact assessment or for expert testimony. | Regional Assessment and Planning
Broadscale landscape and character types, viewsheds & settings, scenic routes & lookouts, regional identity, landscape sensitivity to change, integration with cultural themes, tourism and biogeographic regions.
Local Government
Scenic quality & amenity assessment with community inputs, landscape units & settings, distinctive and characteristic features, city & shire image, rural and townscape character, landscape significance, cultural associations, visual resource management zones and tools for planning, management & development controls.
Visual Impact Assessment
Viewshed, visibility and view corridor analysis, local character, visual and landscape impact assessment, effects on local neighbourhoods & sensitive receptors, routes and visitor activity areas; screening capacity of topography and vegetation, concept plans and detailed design of screening, buffers and other amelioration and enhancement measures.
Highway and Powerline Corridors
Landscape classification and character mapping; viewshed analysis; impact assessment on residents and travellers; sequential driver experience (existing and proposed), design of landscaped mounds, buffers and other impact amelioration measures; community consultation. Heritage Studies
Streetscape and character compatibility, visibility and visual impacts, complementing heritage evaluation.
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