58 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Terrestrial Ecology Values and Effects of the WUG | 22 June 2022 from construction of the vent shafts is modelled to be above ambient noise levels (40 – 45 dB) for only a small area surrounding each proposed vent shaft (Figure 11). Vent shaft construction will include helicopter support to deliver materials and personnel. The noise associated with helicopter activity has been modelled using a worst-case predicted number of movements36. Helicopters would approach and depart from the Golden Cross or Baxter Road helipad. Noise from helicopters will have a narrow corridor of influence in the wider context of the forest as the flight paths are limited by the approach angle to helipad or vent shaft. Helicopter noise is likely to be at elevated levels only in close proximity to the shaft sites (50 – 60 dB Ldn) (Marshall Day, 2021). Construction and helicopter noise would be episodic and only during the day for the duration of the construction period (i.e. a maximum of one month). Invertebrate Populations The magnitude of effect of noise associated with helicopter activity and surface construction on invertebrates within the Project site and surrounding area is assessed as Negligible given the episodic and short term nature of the noise, and the background provided in Section 6.2.2. The ecological value of the invertebrate communities is High and the level of effect of noise is Very Low. Frog Populations The magnitude of effect of noise associated with helicopter activity and surface construction on frogs within the Project site and surrounding area is Negligible given the low sensitivity of frogs to noise, and because the activity will be undertaken during the day, outside of their active period. Further, the short duration of construction is unlikely to result in long-term fitness or breeding effects for the reasons provided in Section 6.2.3. The ecological value of the frog communities is High and the level of effect of construction noise is Very Low. Lizard Populations Lizard response to noise is described in Section 6.2.4. Their response to helicopter activity is not well-understood, but we note that an elegant gecko was observed in vegetation next to a camp within Wharekirauponga. The camp site was frequently serviced by helicopter and had a generator operating continuously when it was occupied at the time of the observation and had previously been used as a helipad, suggesting that geckos may acclimatise to episodic helicopter activity. The magnitude of effect of noise associated with helicopter activity and surface construction on lizards within the Project site and surrounding area is Low given the short duration of construction whereby the stress effects on lizards will be resolved when construction is complete. The ecological value of the lizard communities is High and the level of effect of noise is Low. Bat Populations The magnitude of effect of noise associated with construction and helicopter noise on bats is Negligible given the background provided in Section 6.2.5 and the ability of bats to avoid a localised unsuitable noise environment (and the large extent of unaffected forest available within the boundaries of Coromandel Forest Park). The ecological value of the bat communities is Very Low and the level of effect of noise is Very Low. Bird Populations 36 Modelled scenario includes of 20 flights (including arrive – hover – depart) over 4 days, followed by 10 flights over 2 days a week later as well as one service flight per day for the construction period.
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