B-2 – Area 2 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 143 8. CONCLUSION OGNZL is seeking all necessary resource consents from the HDC and the WRC for the various WNP activities at Area 2, which comprise: The Willows SFA, which will house surface-based mine infrastructure and facilities required to support the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine; The Willows Portal and Willows Access Tunnel which will connect the Willows SFA will connect to the WUG; and An extensive area of terrestrial and riparian restoration and enhancement planting. The cultural effects of these activities are being addressed with tangata whenua through the CVA / CIA process described in Chapter 4 of the Overarching AEE. An assessment of all other potential effects on the environment of proposed activities in Area 2 is provided in Section 5 of this sub AEE, as well as the various technical assessments commissioned by OGNZL. The discrete location of the site, including its close proximity to State Highway 25 means for the most part its amenity related effects of the activities will be limited and confined to locations in close proximity. The Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel and bussing of underground mine shift workers to Area 2 will also minimise to a significant extent the volume of traffic required to enter and exit Area 2 using Willows Road. However, some light and heavy vehicle movements will still be required. It will not be possible to ensure that all actual and potential environmental effects associated with Area 2 on neighbouring residents are avoided, remedied or mitigated such that there are no adverse amenity related effects, and there will be some visual, noise and traffic effects associated with the project at various stage of its development. However. OGNZL is proposing that the activities be undertaken in accordance with a range of consent conditions which will limit those adverse effects to a scale the various technical assessments consider appropriate in this location. A comprehensive water management system is proposed for Area 2 which will see all runoff and seepage from areas of the site containing PAF rock collected and pumped to the WTP for treatment. Best practice erosion and sediment control measures during construction, and stormwater management during operation will also be implemented. Collectively this will mean the activities will have a minimal effect on Mataura Stream. With respect to ecology, the proposed infrastructure has been located to avoid and minimise impacts on water bodies, including wetlands as much as possible but will result in some loss of stream length. While the effects on stream ecological values arising from the loss of this stream area are considered to be short term, and low, an offset is being proposed. The offset will deliver a no net loss outcome in stream ecological values. Following rehabilitation of the site the affected tributary will also be rehabilitated.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2NDg3