OceanaGold | Waihi North Project | Recreation and tourism assessment 7 secure tenure. OGNZL is, nonetheless, in conversation with the relevant clubs and the Hauraki District Council to support alternative development opportunities, including the potential for a new access route across OGNZL land to the Ngāti Koi Domain for the existing Black Hill Motor Cross Track. However, these will depend on access developments within the unformed Domain Road which are beyond the control of OGNZL. The effects of the GOP, NRS and TSF3 on recreation are limited to: The inevitable displacement of several recreation activities from privately owned OGNZL land (with discussions in place to find alternative opportunities); Noise effects on visitors to Ngāti Koi Domain, specifically at the summit of Black Hill and on its eastern side. Marshall Day Acoustics (2022) describe these as unlikely to cause annoyance; Temporary track closures within the 300m GOP flyrock zone affecting Ngāti Koi Domain and the Ohinemuri Riverside track, managed according to the Vibration Management Plan; and Limited effects on landscape values from the summit of Black Hill. Displacement of activity from private OGNZL land is not considered an adverse effect, in much the same manner as would the conclusion of a time-bound access agreement – although in this case, no such agreements have been made. Nonetheless, OGNZL is in discussion with recreation groups and the Haruaki District Council to seek alternatives for affected activities. Effects of temporary track closures are potentially moderately adverse at the local level, depending on frequency and duration. However, similar closures were required for the Martha Pit and have not been identified as significant issues in the past. Landscape effects are assessed as minor, and noise effects on recreation amenity are low. 1.3 Ohinemuri treated wastewater discharge OGNZL is proposing to reconsent the discharge of treated water from the Water Treatment Plant to the Ohinemuri River on the same terms as the existing discharge consents. The Ohinemuri River is defined by Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game as a regionally significant trout fishery with rural values. Over 1,500 angler days were recorded on the River in the 2014/15 season. Water quality for swimming is monitored by the Waikato Regional Council at only Karangahake Gorge just upstream of Mackaytown, with, between 2018 and 2021, 89% of records suitable for swimming. Kayaking is popular in the Karangahake Gorge, with walking and cycling on the River’s banks. Most water contact recreation and angling occurs downstream of the top of the Karangahake Gorge, which is more than 13 km downstream of the discharge points, or in the case of dry fly angling, upstream of the discharge. Boffa Miskell (2022a) finds that there is no evidence that the water quality of the Ohinemuri River has caused any detrimental effects to the ecological values of the River, and the ecological values have been upheld as anticipated by the criteria as set out in OGLNZ’s consent conditions. Also that the required receiving water quality standards are achieving the desired outcome for the River and the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Accordingly, reconsenting the WTP with the same receiving water quality standards will not result in detrimental effects on the ecological values of the Ohinemuri River. It is therefore taken that the recreation values of the Ohinemuri River – considering its trout angling, contact recreation and terrestrial recreation values – will be sustained within the current consented operating regime for the discharge. Two diffusers are located in the bed of the Ohinemuri River. Diffuser 1 is located away from any areas of public access and has no effect on recreation amenity. Diffuser 2 is located adjacent to a walkway beside the Ohinemuri River upstream of the Ngāti Koi Domain. A short path leads from the walkway to the diffuser which has been constructed to allow access to it for testing and maintenance.
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