Waihi North Project: Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values & Effects 62138 WNP AEE 68 7 ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS SUMMARY A summary of the effects of the WNP is set out in Table 15. Overall, the components of the WNP assessed here would require the removal of approximately 25.7 ha of vegetation and habitats, of which 9.4 ha is voluntarily planted natives and 6.1 ha is pine plantation. Naturally occurring native vegetation includes 8.3 ha (including some open ground) of SNA 166 and 2 ha of smaller, - unprotected fragments Terrestrial ecological values within the footprint of the WNP components assessed here are generally no higher than low, and are associated with young (15-20 years old), planted or natural but lowdiversity regenerating vegetation. Some areas of planted vegetation provide buffer and connectivity functions, and habitat for planted kānuka, mānuka and kauri trees, localised copper skinks (At Risk, Hitchmough et al. 2021) and common native birds. Naturally occurring vegetation at the TSF3 site is of low value where it comprises part of the southern fragment of moderate value SNA 166. The SNA represents a large fragment of young, predominantly native vegetation that supports few threatened kānuka, kauri and pōhutukawa, albeit the latter two are represented by single individuals within the affected area. Smaller fragments to the east of SNA 166, within TSF3 are naturally regenerating and have low value, although the western block also supports threatened pōhutukawa trees. The main values of planted areas associated with the proposed GOP and NRS are determined in part by ecological context whereby some of those areas provide buffer services to other ecological values, such as freshwater systems, or where they support ‘High Value’ copper skinks. The planted mixtures at GOP and NRS are selected species compositions and it is noted that kauri trees, which typically occur on dry ridges, have also been planted into Favona wetland, north of GOP where all are either in very poor health, or have died. This indicates that the plant mixtures are not all representative of natural patterns of diversity or ecosystem types. Under an overall net gain approach, such as that proposed by OGNZL, efforts to address moderate to low-level adverse effects are considered necessary, irrespective of the habitats and species values and the generally low levels of effects as a result of the Project. While removal of planted vegetation within WNP at GOP and NRS is generally a low or very low level of effect, OGNZL has indicated its intention to mitigate for the loss of this, and other non-SNA vegetation in order to achieve an overall net gain. The actions that would be undertaken to achieve this net gain, including buffer, replacement and offset planting, fauna management and habitat enhancement, are detailed in an ecological mitigation, restoration and offset plan (Bioresearches 2022). Therefore, the loss of all naturally occurring vegetation within the WNP, whether it is protected (SNA) or not, would be balanced by actions (including revegetation, pest and weed control) implemented in accordance with a biodiversity offset that achieves a Net Biodiversity Gain. These actions are consistent with the RPS, towards achieving no net loss of indigenous biodiversity, re-creation and restoration of habitats and habitat connectivity throughout the surrounding landscape. There will be no net loss of indigenous biodiversity (Bioresearches 2022), and the full suite of ecosystem types and their extents and life supporting capacity will either be maintained or enhanced by the WNP, as per Policy 11.1 of the RPS, and Objective 2 Section 6.2.3 and Objective 5.2.2 of the Hauraki District Plan. The values that prescribe SNA 166 as significant will be enhanced by the mitigation works through revegetation, pest and weed control as per Policy 11.2 and Method 11.2.2 of the RPS. Effects on ambient air quality present a very low threat to the health of flora and fauna as per Objective 3 (section 6.1) of the Waikato Regional Plan.
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