Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Landscape and Visual Effects | 19 The most notable alteration of the landform resulting from mining activity will be the creation of the WRS, created from material brought to the surface from the portal. This has been designed to accommodate approximately 900,000 m3 of rock material, which will be progressively deposited within a defined platform within the Willows Road site. During construction of the tunnel, material will be extracted from the tunnel portal and deposited to form the WRS. This will be progressively filled in 10 metre lifts to a total elevation of 20 metres above existing ground level. The positioning of the WRS has been considered in relation to the ability for this element to remain visually contained and integrated within the existing folded topographical characteristics in the centre of the Willows Road site. During implementation, the worked appearance resulting from the depositing of material and nature of machinery will appear atypical within the established character of adjoining working rural areas, predominantly comprised of pasture and grazing. Following operation, all rock within the WRS will be returned underground and the area recontoured to the original landform and returned to a tributary surrounded by arable farmland. This area will effectively be reintegrated with the surrounding topography and assimilated within the sequence of foothills at the base of the Coromandel Range. Temporary topsoil stockpiles (approximately 2-3 ha in area) are also required as a result of grading / preparing surfaces for above ground infrastructure and the WRS. Such topsoil will subsequently be re-spread over disturbed areas. To support vitality, topsoil stockpiles will be formed to maintain microbial health and located in adjoining areas to ensure they remain well contained within the Willows Road site. This will result in temporary changes in landcover alongside localised landform disturbance which appears broadly consistent with surrounding rural activity once reinstated in pasture grass species. Earthworks to facilitate surface infrastructure will include cut and fill batters up to approximately eight metres high and laid back at a gradient of 1(v) and 1.5(h) and hydroseeded. Once established, this will generate a contained terrace stepped above the margins of the Mataura Stream. Temporary noise bunds are also proposed along the southern side of the main site infrastructure which would form distinct linear localised changes within the adjoining flattened terrace landform. These elements typically reach a maximum elevation of three metres in height and would be grassed to soften their initial worked appearance. Such elements will have minimal external views beyond the unformed northern section of Willows Road which will become further reduced through retained and proposed areas of exotic and native vegetation. In combination with the construction of the WRS, a collection pond is required to intercept runoff from the WRS. This is located within existing terracing within the Willows Road site to minimise the extent of earthworks and limit the potential for views from beyond the site. The resulting collection pond will contain untreated water to be removed for treatment off site. The resulting embankments would be hydroseeded and assimilate within adjoining river escarpments once established. Diversion drains and a spillway will be required from the WRS and require localised modification to the landform in these areas. Internal access and haul roads will be required during operation of the project and creation of the WRS. Existing farm tracks/ roads will be utilised where practicable and upgraded to accommodate efficient and safe access between surface infrastructure. A haul road will be formed at the toe of the proposed WRS adjoining the portal and will navigate up the proposed WRS to dispose of and collect material. A poly farm accommodating polyethylene pipe and fittings used within the underground mine is proposed to the east of the WRS and will remain visually concealed from beyond the site. An existing farm access will also be upgraded to enable vehicles to access the proposed explosives magazine. Due to the topography of the Willows Road site, access roads will require modification across steeper sections of terrain and result in additional cuts and batters most apparent during construction. Once formed, exposed batters should be finished with rounded batters to integrate within the adjoining landform and all exposed soil should be scarified and hydroseeded with
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