Ostern Quarry Expansion, State Highway 3, Otorohanga Landscape and Visual Assessment Report This Landscape and Visual Assessment Report has been prepared as part of the application to expand the existing Ostern Quarry operation between Te Awamutu and Otorohanga on State Highway 3. All work has been undertaken and/or reviewed by a Registered NZILA Landscape Architect. Report prepared by: Dave Mansergh Dip. P&R (Dist), BLA (Hons), MLA Registered NZILA Landscape Architect Director Registered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. Report Version: R2/061115 Date: November 2015 2015‐000 Ostern Quarry VLA (R2) 1 of 65 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 3 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................. 3 APPLICATION OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................... 3 Quarry Expansion and Process ...................................................................................................................... 3 Stripping and Overburden Removal .......................................................................................................... 3 Overburden placement ............................................................................................................................. 4 Extraction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Manufacturing and Processing .................................................................................................................. 4 Stockpiling ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Product load‐out and dispatch .................................................................................................................. 4 Long‐term rehabilitation ........................................................................................................................... 5 Staff facilities ............................................................................................................................................. 5 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER .............................................................................................................. 7 The Landscape Context ................................................................................................................................. 7 Site ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 THE LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS OF QUARRYING ................................................................................. 11 Potential Visual Detractors .......................................................................................................................... 11 ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPE EFFECTS ............................................................................................................ 12 Model .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL EFFECTS ................................................................................................................... 14 Visual Catchment ......................................................................................................................................... 14 ZTV Maps ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Visual Absorption Capability ........................................................................................................................ 19 Viewer Distance and Atmospheric Conditions ............................................................................................ 19 Viewing Audience ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Analysis of Visual Effects ............................................................................................................................. 20 Effects on Views from Private Dwellings and the Pa Sites .......................................................................... 22 Effects on Motorists Travelling along SH3 ................................................................................................... 23 Motorists Traveling North ....................................................................................................................... 23 Motorists Traveling South ....................................................................................................................... 23 Effects on Motorists Travelling along Ouruwhero, Te Kawa, Puketarata and Burr Roads ...................... 26 (Outlying Viewer Locations) .................................................................................................................... 26 RELEVANT PLANNING MATTERS...................................................................................................................... 27 Resource Management Act 1991 ................................................................................................................ 27 Operative Otorohanga District Plan ............................................................................................................ 27 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 31 RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................ 32 APPENDIX ONE: METHODOLOGICAL FLOW CHART ......................................................................................... 33 APPENDIX TWO: SITE LAYOUT PLAN ............................................................................................................... 34 APPENDIX THREE: PHOTOGRAPHS AND MODEL RENDERS FROM IDENTIFIED VIEW LOCATION ................... 36 APPENDIX FOUR: VIEW LOCATIONS AND VISUAL EFFECT RATINGS ................................................................ 45 APPENDIX FIVE: VISUAL ABSORPTION CAPABILITY RATINGS .......................................................................... 50 APPENDIX SIX: LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY EFFECT ‐ RATING SYSTEM ............................................... 51 APPENDIX SEVEN: RELEVANT PLANNING PROVISIONS ................................................................................... 52 2015‐000 Ostern Quarry VLA (R2) 2 of 65 INTRODUCTION Mansergh Graham Landscape Architects Ltd (MGLA) has been engaged by J Swap Contractors to assess the landscape and visual effects of the proposed expansion of the Ostern Quarry Site, located approximately half way between Te Awamutu and Otorohanga on State Highway 3. Three main aspects are evaluated within this report. They are: a. The existing landscape character of the site and its place in the local and regional context. b. The potential landscape and visual effects of the proposed development from typical viewer locations. c. An overview of the effects of the proposed development on landscape and natural character values. The quarry site is located within the Otorohanga District. METHODOLOGY A standard assessment approach has been used to identify the existing landscape character of the site and its surroundings and to assess the potential effect of the proposed quarry expansion on landscape and visual amenity. In broad terms, the assessment consists of the: a. Identification of the key elements or attributes of the proposed development; b. Identification of the landscape values, character, key attributes and social preferences within the context of biophysical, associative and visual landscape interpretation; and c. Identification of relevant assessment criteria within the context of the relevant statutory framework. A combination of GIS view shed analysis and field assessment has been undertaken to identify the potential visibility of the development from surrounding areas. By considering the above, the likely effects of the proposed development are able to be identified and rated. A methodological flow chart is contained in appendix one. APPLICATION OVERVIEW Proposed Application J Swap Contractors operate the Ostern quarry on the south eastern flanks of Tokanui, which produces brown, blue‐brown and blue greywacke rock resources for a range of commercial aggregate product. They seek resource consents to continue existing quarrying activities at the Osterns Quarry site for the next 35 years (i.e. until 2050). A map illustrating the existing and proposed areas of quarrying is appended to this report as attachment two. It is intended that quarrying will continue in Osterns Quarry Areas II and III long term, while short term activities will focus on storage and distribution, water take/storage and overburden disposal. Quarry Expansion and Process Stripping and Overburden Removal Stripping of soil and overburden is