44 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project| Landscape and Visual Effects | observe Gladstone Hill in the context of the existing Processing Plant. Potential wider views of landform changes associated with this proposed operational mine will remain largely obscured by intervening landforms including Winner Hill and Union Hill. Potential views from the eastern area of Waihi including rural residential dwellings along Heath Road are primarily contained by intervening plantation pine trees retained along the western edge of the pit rim and residual form of Winner Hill as well as native planting extended along the margins of the Ohinemuri River. Over longer distances, the proposed removal of Gladstone Hill may be visible from residential areas of Waihi. At completion, modification within the established pit to facilitate tailings in the longer term will remain visually well contained and avoid the potential for any longer-term visual exposure and associated potential adverse visual effects. 7.5.1 Viewing Areas and Representative Viewpoints Given the high level of visual containment, there are a limited number of potential viewing areas from which potential views of GOP are available. To the south-west of the proposed GOP, including the eastern end of Clarke Street and Heath Road on the eastern edge of Waihi, views are predominantly screened by a combination of intervening vegetation and landform including the residual form of Winner Hill. Over longer distances, the summit of Gladstone Hill is visible from within parts of Waihi, however views are more typically concealed by intervening development and vegetation which makes up the urban form of Waihi. Where visible, Gladstone Hill remains partially concealed beyond intervening vegetation and typically between the larger more vegetated forms of Union Hill and Black Hill. To the south of GOP, views are available from part of the lower area of Ngaitikoi Domain along the toe of Black Hill and below vegetation which covers the hilltop and encloses much of the existing recreation trail which ascends this area. Over longer distances beyond State Highway 2, some views may be available from rural land holdings and dwellings to the south of Waihi, however such views are more typically limited by retained pine plantation on Winner Hill and through successive bands of intervening shelter belts typical through this rural area. To the north of GOP, views are available from the eastern end of Moore Street beyond the conveyor, however any use of this area is limited to restricted access into the rear of the Processing Plant. Further west along Moore Street approaching Barry Road, views become increasingly concealed beyond intervening bands of vegetation and residential development. Views are similarly concealed by vegetation within Union Hill, with no existing recreation tracks currently formed on the eastern slopes in the direction of Gladstone Hill. To the east of GOP, potential views are generally contained within the existing landforms including TSF1A and TSF2 and limited to areas associated with the existing Processing Plant accessed along Baxter Road. This land is predominantly owned by OGNZL, within which the effect of such change will be viewed in the context of established mining activity. Whilst the Ohinemuri River also passes through this area, the margins along this stretch of river are established in semi-mature vegetation enclosing the river corridor and has no public access beyond the Processing Plant to the north of Black Hill. Over longer distances, the proposed removal of Gladstone Hill to form GOP may be visible from areas of residential and rural zoned land to the north-east of Waihi. These views occur between the intervening forms of Union and Favona Hills, such as illustrated in a representative view obtained along Barry Road. Further to the west, Gladstone Hill remains screened from the remaining residential area to the north-east of Waihi by the intervening form of Union Hill. Similar very long-distance glimpse views may also available from users of Golden Valley Road. Based on the above, the following six potential viewing areas have been identified from which visual effects have been assessed together with visual simulations prepared from seven representative viewpoints (see Figure 13).
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