OceanaGold | Waihi North Project | Recreation and tourism assessment 26 are described by Marshall Day Acoustics to be at a level low enough to be considered not significant. Helicopter movements associated with construction of the raises may be audible by users of the Wharekirauponga and Wharekirauponga to Golden Cross Tracks, although this temporary effect is not considered significant. Vibration effects from underground blasting associated with the WUG are considered by Heilig & Partners Pty Ltd (2022) in their Vibration Performance Assessment. This assessment indicates that detonation events may be felt by users of the Wharekirauponga to Golden Cross Track as slightly to strongly perceptible events. The low level of use of the Track and the low likelihood of detonations occurring while a tramper is nearby – and the low scale of effect – indicates a minor scale of effect from underground blasting. There is no risk of flyrock or overpressure from underground blasting. Boffa Miskell (2022a) in their assessment of the landscape effects of the raises find that, “The sensitive siting of these elements within the extensive homogenous forest cover combined with their comparably diminutive scale will ensure the inherent characteristics and values of this outstanding natural landscape will remain.”14 However, trampers may encounter the raises as discrete elements within the Park rather than as components of a broader landscape. Considering the scale of effect on tramping in the Coromandel Forest Park generally and the eventual removal and rehabilitation of the raise sites, the scale of effect on recreation at a regional level will be very low. However, the localised effects on users of the Wharekirauponga to Golden Cross Track who encounter the raise sites could be considered more than minor in an otherwise undeveloped natural setting where few interactions with the signs of development would be expected. Mitigations during the life of the project could include: Locating the raises as far away as possible from established walking routes; Avoiding locating the raises on any tramway formations; Developing track detours away from the raise sites. An alternative (or additional activity) is to provide interpretation about the raises and identify them as features of interest on the routes. Setting accurate expectations about the recreation experience in any destination is an important element of recreation management generally, and leaving the raises as a ‘surprise’ element of a tramp is not recommended. For example, if the raises are located a short distance from the route, signs indicating their location and a little information about their function would be useful. If they are located on a route, signs should be located prior to them being encountered. Regardless of the final raise locations, the presence and operation of the raises is unlikely to change the level of recreational activity on existing routes as the primary driver for recreational use is pig hunting and completing a traverse of the Range. 3.4.1 Access development opportunities The process of preparing this report identified the potential to further develop the affected routes for enhanced access. There is an expectation set in the CMS for exploring additional recreation access options in the southern part of the Park (“encompassing the Wentworth and Wharekirauponga Valleys”),15 and an ideal opportunity presented by the local historic tramway formations. Interest exists from some local tourism and recreation representatives. While the examination of this option via this study has been cursory, consideration could be given to changing the recreation status of the setting to include more front- and back-country recreation opportunities, and improved 14 Report’s Executive Summary 15 CMS section 9.2.2.4. See Section 3.2.1 of this report.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2NDg3