Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Landscape and Visual Effects | 37 occur31. Such measures are necessary to address the potential for any broader indirect effects associated with drainage and reduced surface flows which may otherwise impact on the existing natural characteristics or qualities of surrounding streams and their margins within this area of the Forest Park. Given this outcome, alongside reinforced riparian planting and associated improved connectivity between the Forest Park and surrounding rural land use within the Willows Road site as identified in Figure 20, any potential natural character effects associated with the loss of a single warm spring are assessed as very low and insignificant. Such limited effects are necessary in response to the high sensitivity of the Forest Park and to ensure impacts of underground mining are not inappropriate within the context of the underlying Forest Park. 6.8 Visual Effects As an underground mine, there will be no potential views of underground tunnelling and associated below ground mining activity within the Coromandel Forest Park. The combination of topography and landcover in this area of the Coromandel Forest Park also ensure the proposed vent raises will not be seen from beyond their immediate context. Once operational, water vapour plumes may occur from a proposed ventilation shaft within the Forest Park under certain climatic conditions. Such plumes may occur in winter and spring up to a height of approximately 175 m during calm periods of higher relative humidity, typically during cold mornings, late afternoons and through the night under the cover of darkness32. When present, such plumes would remain largely concealed within the folded and vegetated topography of the Forest Park and hidden from surrounding areas including the Coromandel foothills and primary lowlands surrounding Waihi, remaining within and below the distinctive backdrop of the Coromandel Range. Potential long-distance views may occur from isolated elevated areas along the Coromandel’s east coast in the vicinity of Whangamatā. Such views are extremely limited and where visible would appear similar to transient atmospheric changes which might normally occur through intervening rural areas, including smoke from home fires. Given the limited visibility, considerable viewing distances and transient nature of views, any potential broader visual effects associated with such plumes will be very low. Within the broader mountain backdrop of Coromandel Forest Park, the steep and folded topography results in a series of fragmented visual catchments where the landform often obscures visibility from lower elevations and gullies and prevents potential for wider views. When combined with extensive areas of native forest cover, the potential for views of any above ground aspects of the proposed development remains extremely limited and principally only from areas immediately adjoining the locations where shaft raises and the temporary helipad / amenity facilities are proposed. Potential viewing audiences have been considered with particular regard to people walking along Te Wharekirauponga Walk, which is a formed loop track originating from Parakiwai Quarry Road, as well as occasional hunters and experienced trampers using Te Wharekirauponga Track, a five to six hour unmaintained track connecting with Golden Cross33. In visual terms, the very localised changes proposed will remain well concealed in the context of the Coromandel Forest Park and primarily avoids any potential for visual effects. As described earlier, the potential viewing audiences of proposed shafts 2-5 is limited to those walking along the formed Te Wharekirauponga Walk and the unformed Wharekirauponga Track. Whilst theoretical visibility of shafts 2 -5 was identified along a brief section of Te Wharekirauponga Walk, the density of the forest vegetation which occurs throughout the area 31Valenza Engineering Pty Ltd. (2022) Wharekirauponga Underground Mine - Wharekirauponga Conceptual Mitigation: Phase 1 Report. 32 Tonkin and Taylor (2021) Assessment of the frequency and height of visible water vapour plume associated with mine vents 33 Rob Greenaway and Associated (2011) OceanaGold NZ Ltd Waihi North Project and Waihi Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharge Recreation and Tourism Assessment
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