28 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project| Landscape and Visual Effects | vegetation in the lower portions of the view. Once completed, there will be no apparent change or associated visual effects. W2: Highland Road (VS 5) This viewing area comprises the northern portion of Highland Road which originates from Willows Road. The road gradually ascends in elevation from the junction with Willows Road and supports a cluster of four residential properties at the northern end which have a higher sensitivity. From here it is anticipated that 98A and 98B which are at the most northern end of the road and elevated above VS5 may be able to obtain partial views of the proposed explosives magazine and upgrades to the existing access over distances of approximately 550 m. One viewpoint has been taken to represent the nature of views from this area, however no access to private property (including the private road servicing these properties) has been obtained to confirm the nature and level of visual effects from individual dwellings. VS5: Highland Road Positioned at the upper portion of Highland Road, this view represents the residential viewing audience that obtains north facing views towards the site. The viewing audience’s outlook is currently characterised by the rural features within the site including the rising pasture covered hillsides which form part of the Coromandel foothills. From here the WRS and associated surface infrastructure will not feature in available views due to the intervening landform. The proposed upgrade to the existing access to the magazine area will initially appear as a raw worked area which can be hydroseeded at completion to become increasingly integrated within surrounding areas of pasture. W3: State Highway 25/ Corbett Road (VS 6 to 9) This is a broadly linear viewing area which includes the SH25 transport corridor and Corbett Road in addition to the neighbouring properties accessed off these roads. The viewing audience is therefore comprised of lower sensitivity road users in addition to potential residents considered to be the more sensitive to change due to their associated activity and fixed views. For most viewing audiences that attain views, views tend to be wide and panoramic, including the surrounding arable farmland and Coromandel Ranges forming the background. Four viewpoints have been taken to represent the nature of views from this area, however no access to private property has been obtained to confirm the nature and level of visual effects from individual dwellings. VS6: Corner of Willows Road and State Highway 25 This view is positioned on the corner of Willows Road and SH25 and representative of views for road users about to travel along Willows Road and therefore generally have a lower sensitivity to change. The view is currently characterised by the local road environment in addition to the rural land uses that flank it. The outlook also includes the rising pasture covered topography of the site in addition to the Coromandel Ranges and adjoining pastural hills to the north. From this location the top of the WRS is potentially visible above the top of an intervening shelter belt and below a broader backdrop of the Coromandel Range. Part of the earthworks associated with upgrading the existing access to the magazine may also be visible with temporary topsoil stockpiles located below this largely screened by intervening vegetation. Such views will be transient and predominantly reversible as the WRS is removed and rehabilitated. Similarly, earthworks associated with upgrading the
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