Upgrades of the Processing and Water Treatment Plants Upgrades to the existing Processing and Water Treatment Plants will remain within the established development footprint and largely concealed from external view. Proposed cutbacks to accommodate portals face the existing Processing Plant and will remain well contained from beyond the site. Any change in configuration of the existing operation is unlikely to be discerned from beyond the existing contained operation area accessed along Baxter Road. Northern Rock Stack The proposed Northern Rock Stack (NRS) will gradually modify part of a localised rural area within the existing Martha Mineral Zone. During operation, temporary topsoil stockpiles will be developed along the margins of Golden Valley Road which will be reinstated in grass and enclose the area where the rock stack is formed. Impacts of mining activity have already been established in this context and will continue to influence the character of this area of landscape. At completion much of the rock will be reused and the resultant landform will be recontoured and grassed to support adjoining rural land use through rehabilitation. Tailings Storage Facility 3 The proposed development of Tailings Storage Facility 3 (TSF3) will adjoin the existing tailings storage facilities and extend along the slopes of a larger more elevated undulating backdrop to the north and east. During operation, TSF3 will remain relatively well contained whilst generating relatively localised landscape effects within this working rural area. At completion, TSF3 will extend a linear terrace in the foreground of the larger more elevated and vegetated natural backdrop. Vegetation loss will be replaced with enhancements to native vegetation and habitats within an adjoining Significant Natural Area and riparian planting along the Ruahorehore Stream and the Ohinemuri River. Once completed, the faces of the TSF3 will be reinstated in pasture to become visually assimilated with adjoining rural areas and mitigate potential for any longer term significant adverse effects. Natural Character Effects The potential for natural character effects within Coromandel Forest Park have principally been avoided through the nature of underground mining with no direct or physical modification proposed along existing waterbodies or their margins within this context. Notwithstanding this, natural character effects may occur from indirect changes to existing surface water flows. Such effects are limited to the likely loss of a single warm spring with low ecological value, beyond which there is no anticipated reduction in the overall condition or quality of existing streams or their margins which contribute the natural characteristics or qualities of the surrounding Forest Park. Given the nature of localised and limited impacts anticipated, effects on natural character are considered very low and readily addressed through proposed ecological mitigation which includes restoring tributaries and streams adjoining the Forest Park within the Willows Road site. Outside the Coromandel Forest Park, waterbodies modified by this project primarily represent permanent and intermittent watercourses and tributaries along the Mataura and Ruahorehore Streams as well as those more directly associated with the Ohinemuri River. Such waterbodies have varying levels of natural character and typically flow through more modified rural areas subjected to ongoing human impacts from grazing and established mining contexts within which the proposed activity is not considered inappropriate. During the initial stages of the project, proposed changes to existing waterbodies, including stream diversions, will generate some inevitable albeit short term adverse effects. Such effects will be remedied or mitigated, including by restoring natural character through enhanced wetland and riparian planting which increases the overall connectivity and condition across the larger development footprint and avoids any potential longer term or significant adverse natural character effects. Visual Effects Visual effects associated with the project overall are not considered to be significant. Primarily this is due to the underground nature of the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine and the sympathetic siting of surface elements in response to sensitive views. Beyond the Coromandel Forest Park, surface elements including processing and storage areas have been sited to remain effectively contained within working rural contexts which includes adjoining areas accommodating existing mining activity alongside the retention of intervening topography and landcover. During operation, views of expanded mining activity will be limited. Some views towards Willows Road and from rural areas to the east of Waihi will progressively change from views of exposed rock and its subsequent rehabilitation within localised rural areas. At completion of the project, much of the landform disturbance generated during operation will be rehabilitated and re-assimilated within the established rural character. For most people living in and around Waihi, the project will remain visually well contained, resulting in no substantial change or adverse landscape or visual effects in the context of existing mining activity. Landscape mitigation will ensure the project remains well integrated within its local landscape setting and facilitates positive landscape and natural character outcomes in the long-term including greater connectivity between inherent values within the Coromandel Forest Park across the wider surrounding rural landscape.
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