Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Landscape and Visual Effects assessed can cover the entire landscape character area within which the proposal is located, or alternatively, the zone of visual influence from which the proposal can be observed. Cumulative Visual Effects Cumulative visual effects can occur in combination (seen together in the same view), in succession (where the observer needs to turn their head) or sequentially (with a time lapse between instances where proposals are visible when moving through a landscape). Further visualisations may be required to indicate the change in view compared with the appearance of the project on its own. Determining the nature and level of cumulative landscape and visual effects should adopt the same approach as the project assessment in describing both the nature of the viewing audience and magnitude of change leading to a final judgement. Mitigation may require broader consideration which may extend beyond the geographical extent of the project being assessed. Determining the Overall Level of Effects The landscape and visual effects assessment conclude with an overall assessment of the likely level of landscape and visual effects. This step also takes account of the nature of effects and the effectiveness of any proposed mitigation. The process can be illustrated in Figure 2: Figure 2: Assessment process This step informs an overall judgement identifying what level of effects are likely to be generated as indicated in Table 3 below. This table which can be used to guide the level of natural character, landscape and visual effects uses an adapted seven-point scale derived from Te Tangi A Te Manu. Effect Rating Use and Definition Very High: Total loss of key elements / features / characteristics, i.e. amounts to a complete change of landscape character and in views. High: Major modification or loss of most key elements / features / characteristics, i.e. little of the pre-development landscape character remains and a major change in views. Concise Oxford English Dictionary Definition High: adjective- Great in amount, value, size, or intensity. Moderate- High: Modifications of several key elements / features / characteristics of the baseline, i.e. the pre-development landscape character remains evident but materially changed and prominent in views. Moderate: Partial loss of or modification to key elements / features / characteristics of the baseline, i.e. new elements may be prominent in views but not necessarily uncharacteristic within the receiving landscape. Concise Oxford English Dictionary Definition Moderate: adjective- average in amount, intensity, quality or degree Moderate - Low: Minor loss of or modification to one or more key elements / features / characteristics, i.e. new elements are not prominent within views or uncharacteristic within the receiving landscape. Low: Little material loss of or modification to key elements / features / characteristics. i.e. modification or change is not uncharacteristic or prominent in views and absorbed within the receiving landscape. Concise Oxford English Dictionary Definition Low: adjective- 1. Below average in amount, extent, or intensity. Very Low: Negligible loss of or modification to key elements/ features/ characteristics of the baseline, i.e. approximating a ‘no change’ situation and a negligible change in views. Table 3: Determining the overall level of landscape and visual effects Landscape Resource & Viewing Audience (Sensitivity) Magnitude of Change Level of Effect Nature of effect
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