B-5 – Area 5 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 190 8. CONCLUSION OGNZL is seeking all necessary resource consents from the HDC and the WRC for the various WNP activities at Area 5, which comprise: The establishment of the GOP in the vicinity of Gladstone Hill and Winner Hill; The conversion of the GOP into an in-pit TSF following completion of mining activity at the GOP; Establishment of a the WUG Portal for the Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel and MUG Portal for the MUG; Upgrading of existing infrastructure within the Waihi SFA, including the existing Processing Plant, WTP, and upgrades to the existing Martha Pit Conveyor; Rehabilitation of the GOP TSF following completion of WNP mining activity; 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 5 of the Overarching AEE. An assessment of all other potential effects on the environment of proposed activities in Area 5 is provided in Section 5 of this sub AEE, as well as the various technical assessments commissioned by OGNZL. By way of summary, it is considered that the project can be undertaken in a manner that will appropriately avoid, remedy, mitigate or offset adverse effects on the environment. There will be some visual, noise and vibration effects associated with the project at various stage of its development. However, OGNZL is proposing that the activities be undertaken in accordance with consent conditions which will limit the potential for adverse effects on the environment and which, in many instances, align with those which have been applied successfully in this location over a considerable period in respect of the operation of the Waihi SFA. With respect to aquatic ecology, there will be an avoidable loss of stream length associated with the establishment of GOP. While the effects on stream ecological values arising from the loss of this stream area is considered to be low, an offset is being proposed. The offset will deliver a no net loss outcome in stream ecological values. The vegetation that would be removed by GOP comprises both native and exotic (pine) plantings and the effect of removing this vegetation will be mitigated by replanting a comparable area and value of vegetation elsewhere on site. A range of management plans will also be prepared and implemented by suitably qualified and experienced ecologists to manage effects on ecological values, including avifauna, lizards, bats, fish and koura.
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