24 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project| Landscape and Visual Effects | hydraulic components (such as run and riffle habitat and a variety of pools) enclosed by native forest along much of its length. In this area, natural elements / influences remain dominant. As the Mataura Stream emerges from the Coromandel Forest Park, the lower reaches become increasingly more modified, influenced by the high presence of rank pasture and low stature species supporting rural activity in the form of pastoral grazing along margins. Such modification also applies to a small, degraded wetland named the Mataura Wetland located on the lower terrace of the Mataura Stream in the vicinity of proposed surface infrastructure. This supports a mix of rush species commonly associated with agricultural areas and two mature Swamp Maire interspersed with more prevalent exotic pasture. Stock is not excluded from this area which reflects widespread grazing and pugging. The wider context of the Mataura Stream including experiential attributes encompass unmodified stream banks, unimpeded movement of water and a broader backdrop of native vegetation within the Coromandel Forest Park from which the stream emerges into adjoining productive farmland. These attributes provide a coherent connection to the natural environment which encompasses some broader wild and scenic qualities. Taking the above into account, it is considered that the Mataura Stream and its margins have moderate-high levels of natural character. Unnamed Tributaries These spring fed tributaries of the Mataura Stream are located within the Willows Road site and pass through and alongside the respective footprints of the WRS and its associated surface infrastructure. Much of this context has been modified due to agricultural land use and evidence of stock grazing. Culverts are also present in addition to a man-made pond associated with Tributary 1. The margins of both tributaries are unfenced from grazing stock and extensive pugging and bank slumping are evident, typically in the lower reaches. There are also some pockets of diverse riparian vegetation which appear relatively more intact. Overall, the natural character of the unnamed tributaries expresses multiple instances of modification such as culverts, a pond and pervasive evidence of stock access and grazing along margins. The presence of exotic pasture and limited native vegetation is also consistent with a managed working rural landscape. Given the above, it is considered that the natural character of these tributaries and their margins are moderate-low within which human influences are dominant. 6.3.2 Natural Character Effects Whilst the project will remove the upper section of Unnamed Tributary 2, such modification will remain embedded in the context of an existing modified working rural environment within which natural elements and influences remain apparent. In this context, the changes to existing streams alongside substantial additional riparian planting across the larger Willows Road site in accordance with ecological recommendations will provide associated beneficial natural character outcomes to ensure resultant adverse natural character effects are not inappropriate or significant in this context. Such work has been sited to avoid potential adverse effects on identified wetlands and will restore natural character values apparent across a broader area encompassing tributaries and the margins of the Mataura Stream. At completion, unnamed Tributary 2 will also be reinstated and remedy or mitigate potential adverse natural character effects in the longer term. During construction of the proposed WRS, the project will require the removal of approximately 465 m of stream bed associated with Unnamed Tributary 2. The successful diversion of this stream is not practicable due to the steep topography and the lack of options for an alternative flow path. This catchment contains numerous first order streams that feed into a main stem
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