Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Landscape and Visual Effects | 5 wetland along the margins of the Mataura Stream (approximately 0.24 Ha). Areas of willow occur in association with a man-made pond as well as areas of exotic forestry established in the upper slopes of the Willows Road site along the interface with the Coromandel Forest Park. Plate 2 Landscape context in the Foothills of the Coromandel Range The built-up area of Waihi covers approximately 425 hectares and surrounds the existing Martha Mine. This includes residential and some commercial development established near Martha Pit, including Waihi’s Town Centre located to the south. The majority of Waihi currently extends to the south of Martha Pit, straddling State Highway 2 with part of the town also extending to the north-east and north of Union Hill. In addition to urban and productive rural land uses, existing mining activity occurs in Waihi and introduces an established working character in some areas. Small pockets of indigenous forest and broadleaved indigenous hardwoods also occur throughout this landscape and typically form patches retained on the steeper hill forms east of Waihi and along the foothills of the Coromandel Ranges. Areas of exotic forestry have also been established in association with some vegetated slopes. More recent native planting, much of which has been established by OGNZL and former owners of the Waihi mine, follows the margins of the Ohinemuri River and some tributaries. Further water bodies present throughout this area occur in association with the existing tailings storage facilities and the small lake within Gilmour Reserve, which was established by the then Waihi Gold Company as a replacement to Mine Lake at the time Martha Pit was being developed. 3.2 Landscape Character An understanding of landscape character involves a combination of biophysical, sensory and associative landscape dimensions. Two previous landscape studies at the district and regional scales, noted below, have been completed and provide an established background understanding of such landscape character and values forming the receiving environment. OGNZL also recognises the special relationship that iwi have with the land and the waterways, and that this relationship is important to spiritual and cultural wellbeing. Maori cultural values interests and associations with the project area, and the potential impacts of the Waihi North
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