46 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project| Landscape and Visual Effects | Gladstone Pit will remain concealed beyond the retained areas of pine plantation and intervening vegetation established along the margins of the Ohinemuri River. G3: Black Hill in Ngatikoi Domain Views from Ngaitikoi Domain include views from Black Hill as this rises to the south-east of GOP. From here recreation users obtain transient views of the existing form of Gladstone Hill and associated plantation pine trees on Winner Hill adjoining the Processing Plant seen against a larger vegetated backdrop of Union Hill. Intervening vegetation covers the majority of Black Hill and limits the areas from which views out towards GOP are available from the top. Where visible at lower elevations, GOP will extend a local area of mining activity seen in association with the existing Processing Plant and Favona Portal. At completion, the potential for adverse effects will be remedied as rural land use is re-established in this context. G4:SH2: Tauranga Road This viewing area encompasses rural properties which extend to the south-east and glimpse views from SH2: Tauranga Road near the intersection with Baxter Road when approaching Waihi from the south-east. From the majority of SH2, views towards GOP are obscured beyond intervening vegetation including the larger intervening vegetated forms of Black Hill and Winner Hill. Views from rural dwellings in this area are typically limited by the intervening vegetated forms of Winner Hill and Black Hill combined with intervening shelter planting. As GOP gradually removes the top of Gladstone Hill, mining activity will remain concealed beyond intervening landform and vegetation. In all instances, visibility will be limited to long distance glimpse views observed low along the horizon and in the context of more elevated vegetated forms. G5: North Waihi (VS 14) Views from residential dwellings to the north-east of Waihi are limited to gaps between existing development and beyond the intervening forms of Favona Hill and Union Hill along the skyline. Further to the north-west, potential views towards Gladstone Hill from within Waihi become increasingly concealed by intervening development and vegetation. Where visible, Gladstone Hill forms a distant aspect of a larger sequence of rounded hills to the east of Waihi which are predominantly covered in mixed native and exotic vegetation. Where visible, the top of Gladstone Hill is viewed as a distant area of pasture in the context of more visible and vegetated landforms which characterise this backdrop. One representative viewpoint has been taken from this area: VS14: Barry Road From this viewpoint, Gladstone Hill forms part of the distant backdrop and skyline seen to the east of Union Hill beyond approximately 700 metres. During operation, mining activity will result in the removal of Gladstone Hill and modify a localised area of skyline in this area. Once removed any change will remain visually contained below the skyline. G6: Golden Valley (VS 15) Views from Golden Valley are typically limited to road users along Golden Valley Road and long-distance views form dispersed rural dwellings. From here, mining associated with Gladstone Hill will be visible in glimpse long distance views, however any change will gradually be concealed as temporary stockpiles along the road frontage are developed for the NRS. In the longer term, any change will similarly remain contained below the skyline.
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