3-AD006.00 SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WAIHI NORTH PROJECT Oceana Gold New Zealand Limited WSP June 2022 46 Emergent Housing During the interviews conducted, several future housing developments were mentioned by local representatives including: • 1000-1200 houses south of Thames are proposed. • 230 lots being considered for development at the Paeroa racecourse. • 100-200 lot iwi-lead housing developments in the Thames-Coromandel District. • 40-50 home development on the east end of Waihi town, and another off Bradford Street. • Smaller proposed developments in Waihi East (around Smith Street). Whilst all the above have not been verified, they represent the potential development of over 1600 houses within the next 10-15 years, which provides an indication of future housing capacity in the local and surrounding area (within less than 1 hour driving distance to Waihi). Impact Description: During the construction and operational phase of the WNP, the workforce requirements will result in the influx of new employees into the local area. Numerous stakeholders raised concern that the additional workforce requirements associated with the project will place additional pressure on an already stressed housing environment. Population influx associated with the workforce requirements for the WNP has been estimated for a typical year during the operational life of the project to be 296 employees. Given the life of the project, the housing requirements are likely to be long term. It has been assumed that every worker moving into the area will require a home (to accommodate themselves and their family members), as such it is estimated that 296 homes would be required on average over the life of the project. Whilst the future development capacity exists, this is forecasted to take place over the next 30 years. Given the timeframes associated with land development, the emergent housing identified during engagement may only be realised in 10-15 years. There is currently a housing shortage in Waihi and the local area. The housing requirements for the WNP workforce will not be transient in nature given the nature of the project i.e., longer term workforce roles throughout the project. Given that housing will be required to support the WNP within less than 10 years, it is likely that there will be significant housing constraint. Impact Statement: The project will result in an influx of workforce employees, and there is the potential for an adverse effect on the availability of housing and accommodation in the local area over the life of the project. Given that future development potential and emergent housing proposed for the local area are unlikely to be online to respond to the workforce housing requirement, it is likely that there will not be sufficient housing to meet the requirements of the WNP workforce. The anticipated impact of an increased demand for housing has been assessed to be of high significance. Mitigation has been identified that, if implemented, will result in reducing the significance of this impact to high. Mitigation: • Undertake a Workforce Accommodation Assessment 6 months prior to commencement of the construction and operational phase.
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