B-5 – Area 5 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 191 With respect to the WTP discharge, annual monitoring of the ecological values of the Ohinemuri River have remained stable and persistent since operations at the OceanaGold Waihi commenced. There is no evidence that the treated water discharge from the Waihi operations has caused any detrimental effects to the ecological values of the Ohinemuri River, and the ecological values have been maintained as anticipated by the criteria as set out in the consent conditions. Accordingly, re-consenting the WTP with the same receiving water quality standards will not result in detrimental effects on the ecological values of the Ohinemuri River. Notwithstanding this, OGNZL has proposed additional consent conditions for monitoring attributes in the Ohinemuri River to better understand the condition of the river for the purpose of better informing the requirements of the of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. OGNZL has also included proposed conditions for its WTP discharge consent, with a view to ensuring that the WTP discharge quality aligns with any wider catchment initiatives to improve water quality. With respect to the statutory planning framework that applies to the activities at Area 5, it is concluded that the development of the project in the manner proposed by OGNZL will for the most part align comfortably with the overall management intentions specified in the relevant national, regional and district planning documents based on the effects assessments included in these application documents. Many of these statutory planning documents recognise the importance of the mining sector and the need to provide for its continuation (subject to the management of potential effects on the environment). It certainly cannot be concluded that the activities at Area 5 will be contrary, or repugnant, to any of the relevant statutory planning documents. This assessment will be updated following receipt of the various CVA / CIA documents being produced by tangata whenua. Finally, it is noted that OGNZL has consulted with interested / potentially affected parties and the wider community with respect to the WNP and activities in Area 5. This consultation has informed the various environmental assessments and will continue throughout the resource consent process and during the subsequent operation of the WNP.
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