B-3 – Area 3 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 13 2.7 LANDSCAPE The landscape values attributed to Area 3 are described in Boffa Miskell (2022), a copy of which is provided in Part H of these application documents. The southernmost section of the tunnel corridor (between the WUG Portal and Walmsley Stream) is approximately 2 km long. It passes under gently undulating surface topography characterised by rural residential and agricultural land uses with associated shelter belts, patches of native and exotic vegetation and scattered trees. Most rural properties are fenced into paddocks and no. 83B Mataura Road contains an orchard. At the west, this southern section of the tunnel corridor is under the eastern edge of existing residential development on Barry Road, Mataura Road and Wenlock Street. The section of the tunnel corridor, between the northern bank of the Walmsley Stream and the terminus of Highland Road, is characterised by increasingly hilly terrain and gullies oriented along a main north-south ridge. Land cover on the south/west side of the main ridge is native vegetation, forestry blocks and scattered trees and scrub, and on the eastern side of the ridge is mostly paddocks. Rural-residential properties are at the end of Highland Road, east of the tunnel corridor. The northernmost section of the tunnel corridor is under the Willows Road Farm property. That site (Area 2) consists of paddocks, patches of vegetation and scattered trees on hilly topography that rises to the north into the foothills of the Coromandel Ranges. 2.8 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Area 3 is predominantly located beneath pastural farmland. However, it will pass (at significant depth) beneath Significant Natural Area (“SNA”) no. T13P204, the location of which is shown on HDP map no. 25. Clause 6.2.6 (Schedule of SNAs) of the HDP identifies this SNA as having ‘Local’ terrestrial ecological significance and the area is subject to covenant no. 81.761.410. 2.9 HISTORIC HERITAGE The historic heritage values of Area 3 are described in Clough (2022), a copy of which is provided in Part H of these application documents. Historic heritage features in the vicinity of Area 3 where it nears the surface include: Tramway, NZAA T13/818. Waihi Low Level Water Race, NZAA T13/817. Silverton Hill gold mining complex and Battery, NZAA T13/819. Favona Old and New Shaft, NZAA T13/306.
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