U:\2021\BM210482_IBo_Waihi_North_Project\Documents\WNP_Freshwater_Report_May_2022\FINAL_Freshwater_Report_FOR DELIVERY_June 2022\FINAL DELIVERED 17 JUNE 2022\WAI-985-000-REP-LC-0007_Rev0_Freshwater_20220621_FINAL.docx The main locations for these activities would be in the Ohinemuri River catchment including the Ruahorehore Stream, Mataura Stream and the Mangatoetoe Stream. 24.0 Conclusion The WNP comprises several elements occurring at Willows Farm and at the Oceana Gold Waihi operations. Ecological values varied across the proposed WNP locations, ranging from high to very high values in the Wharekirauponga Stream, Waiharakeke Stream and Mataura Stream, and the upper Ruahorehore Stream. In other locations ecological values were lower and varied with landuse and other influential factors. We applied the EIANZ effects management hierarchy to potential effects of the proposed operations. Aquatic features have been avoided where possible (e.g., the Mataura wetland), and all native fish, trout and koura will be salvaged and relocated before activities within streams occur. The proposed WNP activities do not result in any permanent loss of streams or natural wetlands. Streams are either replaced within a short timeframe (functional diversions) or returned and rehabilitated at a later date (Mataura Stream tributary 2). The final outcome of the WNP will be an improvement upon those aquatic ecological values than currently present. It is predicted that the WNP can be implemented using the existing and upgraded WTP, and within the current consent discharge and receiving environment conditions of the Ohinemuri River, subject to renewal of those consents for an appropriate term. The capacity of the current WTP facilities will require upgrading throughout the project’s lifetime to cope with the expected volume of water requiring treatment. No changes to the water quality limits from the discharge from the WTP are required to accommodate the Waihi North Project. There is no evidence that the current discharge from the WTP to the Ohinemuri River has caused any detrimental effects to the ecological values of the Ohinemuri River, and the ecological values have been maintained as anticipated by the criteria as set out in the current consent conditions. Accordingly, re-consenting the WTP with the same receiving water quality standards will not result in detrimental effects on the ecological values of the Ohinemuri River. Notwithstanding this, we have recommended additional consent conditions for monitoring attributes in the Ohinemuri River to better understand the condition of the river, and for the purpose of better informing the Waikato Regional Council’s future implementation of the National Objectives Framework under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. The overall mitigation for the WNP is conceived as a wholly integrated mitigation ‘package’ that encompasses all aspects of mitigation and offset proposed for landscape and ecological enhancements. Importantly, it is conceived in a manner so that the ‘whole’ is vastly improved from just the ‘sum of its respective components’. Accordingly, the effects of the WNP on aquatic ecological values are low, and the outcome of WNP delivers an overall net gain for aquatic ecological values.
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