50 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project| Landscape and Visual Effects | be established along the margins of the Ohinemuri River and within intervening rural land during operation to reinforce the overall contribution to a vegetated landscape context containing mining activity as illustrated on Figure 20b: Proposed Integrated Mitigation. In addition, the mining activity will occur from east to west to ensure any activity associated with the removal of landform typically remains concealed from wider views to the south-east of Waihi. Following mining and during implementation of the tailing’s storage facility, existing pine trees will be progressively removed and re-established with native vegetation. The final landform surrounding the pit will be re-established in pasture and native shrubs therefore offering further opportunities to assimilate the modified landform within a working rural landscape to reduce the potential for any longer-term significant adverse effects. 8.0 Northern Rock Stack The proposed NRS is located to the east of the Processing Plant on the opposite side of the Ohinemuri River, between the northern edge of TSF2 and Golden Valley Road. 8.1 Site Appraisal The proposed NRS occupies part of an undulating and modified alluvial terrace along the true left bank of the Ohinemuri River and adjoining the toe of elevated landforms to the south and east (see Figure 14). The southern end of the proposed NRS accommodates the eastern end of the conveyor and encompasses an existing rock storage area and workshop within the proposed larger NRS footprint. Unnamed tributaries of the Ohinemuri River flow south-east to north-west through this area and accommodate margins of native riparian planting established by OGNZL. Pastoral land use occupies the remaining northern area of the proposed NRS footprint and supports grazed paddocks, farm tracks, dispersed farm buildings and shelter planting. A single-story dwelling at 699 Golden Valley Road owned by OGNZ is impacted by the stockpile footprint and will need to be removed. To the west of the proposed NRS, OGNZL has voluntarily planted the margins along both sides of the Ohinemuri River with native riparian vegetation and fenced these from adjoining agricultural and mining activity. Wetland areas are also located in adjoining areas including a degraded wetland within the adjoining rural area to the north and a planted wetland further to the northwest on the opposite side of the Ohinemuri River. Exotic shelter planting and bands of native shrubs and pasture typically occupy the remainder of this area. The existing Processing Plant introduces a strong industrial influence in this context, occupying a flattened terrace to the west of the Ohinemuri River. The existing conveyor and vehicle bridge also connect between the Processing Plant and proposed NRS across the Ohinemuri River through this area. Golden Valley Road passes to the north of the proposed NRS through Golden Valley. When approaching the vicinity of the proposed NRS from the west, the alignment of the road dips and curves in response to minor terracing along the Ohinemuri River before gradually rising to the east. Further to the north, Golden Valley Road intersects with Trig Road within a broad undulating rural and rural lifestyle area. The southern edge of the proposed NRS adjoins TSF2 along the toe of a rounded vegetated backdrop which continues to the east. A rounded unnamed hill covered with native vegetation (SNA T13UP166) is located to the east of the proposed NRS and is separated from a larger area of vegetation also within SNA T13UP166 to the south by pasture with clumps of native shrubs and pine established within an intervening undulating valley system.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2NDg3