B-2 – Area 2 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 54 A summary of the key findings of the Boffa Miskell assessment as it relates to the Willows SFA area is provided below. 5.2.1 Effects on Landscape Servicing the underground mining activities will require development of surface infrastructure that will alter the existing landform in Area 2. Such modification includes the creation of surface infrastructure and an associated rock stack to store rock progressively brought to and from the surface through a portal to the underground mine. This occurs within the undulating and folded landform of the site which contributes a key characteristic of the foothills of the Coromandel Ranges. The most notable alteration of the landform resulting from mining activity, will be the creation of the WRS. The positioning of the WRS has been considered in relation to the ability for this element to remain visually contained and integrated within the existing folded topographical characteristics in the centre of the Willows Road site. During implementation, the worked appearance resulting from the depositing of material and nature of machinery will appear atypical within the established character of adjoining working rural areas, predominantly comprised of pasture and grazing. Following operation, all rock within the WRS will be returned underground and the area recontoured to the original landform and returned to a tributary surrounded by arable farmland. This area will effectively be reintegrated with the surrounding topography and assimilated within the sequence of foothills at the base of the Coromandel Range. Supporting facilities and buildings will be required as part of the project and these areas have been concentrated in the vicinity of the proposed portal and WRS to maintain operational efficiencies and minimise the overall footprint of disturbance within the Willows Road site. Where practicable, areas of flatter, low-lying land have been utilised to provide areas for these facilities, particularly to the east of the main access road along terracing above the Mataura Stream. An area for private carparking has also been proposed to the west of the main access road which will require some localised benching and associated bunds to accommodate this within the lower flanks of the rising topography. Outside of the more concentrated modification to the landform in the vicinity of the WRS and proximate surface infrastructure, disturbance is proposed to facilitate access to and establishment of the explosive magazines and a vent shaft in the west and north-west area of the Willows Road site respectively. These modifications will result in localised effects to prepare the ground for these elements. The remaining Willows Road site will retain a mosaic of working rural areas with fencing and access tracks alongside pockets of reinforced native regeneration which assist with integrating landform disturbance within the site.
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