B-7 – Area 7 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 128 The policy framework for the Rural Zone anticipates mineral extraction and associated activities (such as tailings storage), subject to appropriate management of effects; The activities associated with Area 7 are compatible with established and lawful rural production activities and will not give rise to reverse sensitivity effects; The portion of Area 7 that is not part of the biodiversity offsetting programme will be reverted to pasture after closure of TSF3. As set out in Section 3.4 of this AEE and Section 7.10 of the Overarching AEE, it is anticipated that this area will be suitable for pastoral use and this will be confirmed through ongoing monitoring during the operational phase of TSF3; The activities proposed within Area 7 are considered appropriate within the surrounding modified rural environment and are nestled adjacent to existing tailing storage facilities. The activities have therefore been configured to ensure no significant adverse effects on landscape values, natural character and visual amenity; The amenity values of the Waihi area and wider community are discussed with respect to noise, landscape values and air quality in Sections 5.8, 5.2 and 5.9 of this AEE. The mitigation measures described with respect to each of these matters will ensure that adverse effects on amenity values are appropriately avoided, remedied or mitigated; and, Section 5.3 of this AEE discusses the natural hazard risks for Area 7. Area 7 demonstrates a functional need for the proposed location, therefore complete avoidance of flood hazard risk is not possible. The proposed activities in Area 7 are designed to accommodate flood hazard risk commensurate with the nature and scale of the structure and environmental risk it poses, should damage occur. For example, sediment retention ponds have a lower design threshold than the tailings dam.202 Overall, the activities proposed within Area 7 will not restrict or prevent the range of rural land use activities to be undertaken surrounding the site. They will not affect the open rural landscape character of the zone and adverse effects of the activity on the environment or on the amenities of neighbours will be avoided, remedied or mitigated while providing for the utilisation of an identified mineral resource. 7.6.2.3 Indigenous Biodiversity and Significant Natural Areas The objectives and associated policies in Section 6.2 of the HDP seek the following outcomes: The protection of significant natural areas for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing their intrinsic, cultural and amenity values;203 202 Policy (4)(a)(iv), Section 5.1.2, Hauraki District Plan. 203 Objective 1, Section 6.2, Hauraki District Plan.
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