chapter 21 – landscape and visual amenity · 2018-08-09 · skardon river bauxite project chapter...
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CHAPTER 21 – LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY
GULF ALUMINA LTD – SKARDON RIVER BAUXITE PROJECT
Skardon River Bauxite Project Chapter 21 – Landscape and Visual Amenity
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
21.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 21-1 21.1.1 Definition of the Assessment Areas for the Project ................................................. 21-1 21.2 Legislative Framework ...................................................................................... 21-1 21.3 Environmental Objectives and Performance Outcomes ..................................... 21-1 21.3.1 Environmental Objectives ........................................................................................ 21-1 21.3.2 Performance Outcomes ........................................................................................... 21-2 21.4 Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 21-2 21.4.1 Existing Conditions ................................................................................................... 21-2 21.4.1.1 Landform and Land Use ........................................................................................... 21-2 21.4.1.2 Vegetation ................................................................................................................ 21-2 21.4.1.3 Watercourses ........................................................................................................... 21-2 21.4.1.4 Landmarks ................................................................................................................ 21-3 21.4.1.5 Cultural Heritage ...................................................................................................... 21-3 21.4.2 Assessment Overview .............................................................................................. 21-3 21.4.3 Existing Landscape Character ................................................................................... 21-3 21.4.3.1 Definition of ‘Visual Sensitivity’ (Related to Landscape Character) ......................... 21-3 21.4.4 Visual Amenity .......................................................................................................... 21-4 21.4.4.1 Human Receptors ..................................................................................................... 21-4 21.4.4.2 Faunal Receptors ...................................................................................................... 21-5 21.4.5 Impact Assessment................................................................................................... 21-7 21.4.5.1 Overview .................................................................................................................. 21-7 21.4.5.2 Final Landform.......................................................................................................... 21-7 21.4.6 Assessment of Impacts Level ................................................................................... 21-7 21.4.7 Landscape Character ................................................................................................ 21-8 21.4.7.1 Definition of ‘Magnitude of Visual Change’ (Related to Landscape Character)
.................................................................................................................................. 21-8 21.4.8 Visual Amenity– Sensitive Receptors ....................................................................... 21-9 21.4.9 Lighting Impacts ....................................................................................................... 21-9 21.4.9.1 Human Receptors ..................................................................................................... 21-9 21.4.9.2 Faunal Receptors .................................................................................................... 21-10 21.5 Management Measures and Plans .................................................................. 21-10 21.5.1 Monitoring Program ............................................................................................... 21-11 21.6 Risk Assessment ............................................................................................. 21-11 21.7 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 21-11
Tables
Table 21-1 Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change ...................................................................... 21-7 Table 21-2 Landscape Character Impact Assessment Summary Table ...................................... 21-9 Table 21-3 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................... 21-11
Figures
Figure 21-1 Sensitive Receptors .................................................................................................. 21-6
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21. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY
21.1 Introduction
This chapter assesses the impacts on landscape character, visual amenity and lighting requirements from the Project. Where required mitigation measures for impacts are presented.
A detailed description of the Project construction and operation phases is included in Chapter 5. The Project study area and existing infrastructure is described in Chapter 4.
The ecological effects arising from Project lighting are discussed on Chapter 18.
Rehabilitation and decommissioning (including final landform) are described in Chapter 7. Progressive rehabilitation will create a landform that is stable, self-sustaining and with land use capabilities and/or suitability as determined in the Rehabilitation Management Plan (RMP).
The possibility exists for certain beneficial infrastructure (such as road, port and runway) to remain (by agreement with the landowner, administrating authority and end users).
21.1.1 Definition of the Assessment Areas for the Project
The following assessment areas have been used to define the landscape and visual assessments:
The Landscape Character Assessment Area - is the same as the Project study area (i.e. the Project’s
three mining leases (MLs) - ML 40082, 40069 and 6025.).
The Visual Amenity Assessment Area - covers the Project study area plus an approximate 5 km buffer.
The Visual Amenity Potential Receptor Search Area covers the Project study area plus an approximate
20 km buffer to include Mapoon to the southwest.
21.2 Legislative Framework
The methodology for assessing potential visual impacts is based on the following:
The provisions of the Environmental Protection Act (1994)
The prescribed objectives and outcomes of the Environmental Protection Regulations (2008) Schedule
5 (Part 3).
21.3 Environmental Objectives and Performance Outcomes
The environmental objectives and performance outcomes below are based on Schedule 5, Table 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 2008 (EP Regulation). The mitigation and management measures presented in this chapter are designed to achieve these environmental objectives and performance outcomes. The environmental management plan (EM Plan) presented in Appendix 13 provides a consolidated description of these mitigation and management measures.
21.3.1 Environmental Objectives
The activity is operated in a way that protects the landscape character of the area.
The location for the activities protects visual amenity of sensitive receptors.
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21.3.2 Performance Outcomes
Activities that disturb the landscape will be managed in a way that prevents or minimises adverse
effects on landscape character, including progressive rehabilitation and decommissioning.
The activities will carried out in a way that prevents or minimises adverse visual amenity impacts for
sensitive receptors and surrounding land uses.
21.4 Environmental Values
21.4.1 Existing Conditions
21.4.1.1 Landform and Land Use
The landscape surrounding the Project area is designated in the Cook Shire planning scheme as ‘rural’. The Project area is situated on part of the Weipa Plateau at 10-20 mAHD, is low lying and flat, close to the coast, and is partly dissected by drainage channels.
The Project area is at the southern end of the Mapoon Plain which is typified by swamp country defined by two sets of beach reaches. The area between the ridges is intertidal with salty mud flats, mangroves, and vegetated swales. Surface geology consists of sands, silty sands and clays of the Pleistocene and Quaternary.
The area occupied by the Project mining leases has historically been used for extractive industry, mining and exporting kaolin. The historical kaolin mining infrastructure within the Project area has been decommissioned, however legacy kaolin stockpiles, overburden stockpiles, mine pits containing water, mine infrastructure and plant remain.
The mine accommodation camp, airstrip and Port facility are currently maintained in ‘caretaker’ mode and are used only intermittently. Lighting in these Project areas is therefore at a minimal level.
The existing kaolin mine is the only resource activity in the area. No other existing resource activities exist within a 20 km buffer of the Project area.
21.4.1.2 Vegetation
Various vegetation communities exist across the Project area, with further information provided in the Chapter 15. Land clearance and habitat loss associated with the establishment of the open cut pit and supporting infrastructure will result in the loss of approximately 1,210 ha of remnant native vegetation from within the footprint.
Loss and rehabilitation of vegetation is considered as part of the landscape character and visual amenity assessment.
21.4.1.3 Watercourses
To the north of the Project is the Skardon River which divides into three principal tributaries to the east which are populated by mangroves. Namalata Creek drains an east-west orientated swamp which lies at the southern end of the Project area. The creek flows west and then at the Mapoon Plain, changes direction sharply to flow to the south through mangroves, to discharge at the Ducie River mouth to the north of Mapoon. The Skardon River flows all year while the Namaleta Creek and the Ducie River are ephemeral.
Catchments and watercourses are further described in Chapter 12.
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21.4.1.4 Landmarks
The proponent is not aware of any significant landmarks identified within 5 km of the Project (i.e. within likely viewing distance).
21.4.1.5 Cultural Heritage
Indigenous and historical cultural heritage are described in Chapter 24. Mapoon shire residences have been considered as part of the visual assessment and have been included as potential visual receptors.
21.4.2 Assessment Overview
For the landscape and visual impact assessment, new elements of potentially significant Project infrastructure will be located close to the existing Port (including the proposed product stockpile, wharf, and conveyor). These Project elements will be within the visual envelope of the current Port infrastructure.
Although the Project’s bauxite mine pits will have a larger mining footprint than the historical kaolin mine, most of the disturbance will occur at ground level (e.g. in the form of mine pits). In terms of visually prominent infrastructure, the Project represents a reduction in plant infrastructure compared to the historical baseline of the kaolin mine. This is because the kaolin mine required a wet and dry plant for processing kaolin and DSO bauxite does not require processing / beneficiation in a plant. Furthermore, the building elevations of bauxite infrastructure are expected to be lower in height than the existing (and previously decommissioned) plant which made up the kaolin mine.
It is also noted that historically, the proponent is not aware of any visual amenity complaints relating to the kaolin mine infrastructure, and it is therefore expected that the low level footprint and reduced height and area of proposed infrastructure is unlikely to cause future complaint or significant impact to landscape and visual values.
Further description of the decommissioned kaolin mine infrastructure’s and the proposed Project’s construction and operational infrastructure and activities are described in Chapter 5.
21.4.3 Existing Landscape Character
Landscape character is described as the integrity of the landscape character of the Project area at local and regional levels.
The landscape character within the Project area is described (based on features such as land use, vegetation cover and landform) as being:
Decommissioned mining and infrastructure areas within a wider context of gently undulating, rural,
coastal swamp, mangrove and saltmarsh.
21.4.3.1 Definition of ‘Visual Sensitivity’ (Related to Landscape Character)
The sensitivity of different landscape characters in regional areas can be defined by considering aspects such as naturalness and uniqueness. The more disturbed or common a landscape is, generally the less it is valued, and the less ‘visually sensitive’ it is. Visual sensitivity classifications are described as follows:
Insignificant – containing predominantly industrial or mine infrastructure.
Low – general, widespread rural landscape with limited mine or industrial infrastructure and low to
moderate levels of native vegetation. No identified special landscape features or interesting
topographic features.
Moderate – rural land with a high amount of vegetation or undisturbed bushland with attractive
landscape features such as main watercourses or interesting topographic features.
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High – natural areas valued for conservation such as those with substantial natural vegetation, those
with waterbodies and landscapes with varied and interesting topography, also cultural landscapes
highly valued by the general community such as attractive rural settings, some town settings and
heritage landscapes.
Very High - dramatic natural landscapes such as those likely to be protected as World Heritage Areas
or National Parks, although such protection is not essential. Highly valued, iconic cultural landscapes
may also be included.
Based on these definitions, the landscape character of the Project area is assessed as having low visual sensitivity.
21.4.4 Visual Amenity
Visual amenity is described as the amenity value of the landscape as experienced by potential sensitive receptors, (e.g. residences, recreational users, or fauna in the area).
21.4.4.1 Human Receptors
In order to identify potential sensitive receptors, a search of publically available aerial photography was undertaken to identify all potential receptors within 20 km of the Project area, (see Figure 21-1).
The closest receptor within the Visual Amenity Potential Receptor Search Area is located in Mapoon approximately 10.8 km to the southwest of the Project area.
The most distant receptor within the Visual Amenity Potential Receptor Search Area is located in Mapoon approximately 17.8 km to the southwest of the Project area.
Following a desk based analysis of publically available topographical data, aerial imagery and vegetation mapping, it was found that all residential receptors had intervening topography and vegetation which effectively blocked views into the Project area and the offshore cargo ship anchorage area.
For any potential non-fixed marine or river based receptors (e.g. recreational users associated with boating or fishing), a qualitative assessment has been made based on historical and proposed Port and mining activities in the Project area as well as the bulk carrier transhipment arrangements for the Project. This qualitative assessment covers the Visual Amenity Potential Receptor Search Area (i.e. the Project area plus a 20 km buffer).
It is noted that the proponent is not aware of historical complaints based on visual amenity associated with the existing Port facility or other historical mining activities, and that in the past recreational users have had views of the Port whilst navigating the Skardon River. It is also noted that the Project will cause minimal change to the visual baseline for recreational receptors in the Port area. It is therefore expected that there will be minimal visual impact associated with the Port upgrade works, and that the Port upgrade will be the most visible part of the Project for potential recreational receptors.
Bulk carrier vessels will be anchored approximately 25 km from the nearest (i.e. northernmost) residential receptor at Mapoon with intervening headland vegetation and are not expected to be visible to a significant degree.
For recreational users, the bulk carrier vessels will add (minimally) to the existing number of similar sized ships using the local shipping channels and are not expected to adversely contribute to visual amenity for recreational users (see Chapter 22).
There are no known public view sites with views of the proposed project. There are no public roads exist with views into the Project area. Therefore no visual amenity impact assessment is required for views from view sites or public roads.
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21.4.4.2 Faunal Receptors
Lighting associated with the Port facility will be on a 24/7 basis compared to the (historical and) currently existing baseline of low levels of lighting.
The potential effects of lighting from the Project on marine and aquatic fauna are discussed in Chapter 18 and Chapter 16.
Mitigating the potential effects of Project lighting are discussed in Section 21.5 below
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No warranty is given in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability) and accept no liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating to any use of or reliance upon the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of privacy laws. Tenures © Geos Mining (2015). State Boundaries and Towns © Geoscience Australia (2006). Watercourses © Geoscience Australia. Imagery Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community.
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21.4.5 Impact Assessment
21.4.5.1 Overview
The impact assessment addresses the three relevant types of impact defined as:
impact to landscape character of the site and the surrounding area
impact on the visual amenity (from sensitive receptors)
impact in terms of night-time lighting.
The assessment focuses on the Project’s impact on the main landform changing features such as the product stockpile, open pits, Port infrastructure and the highest structures during the life of the mine.
The assessment also considers the effects of increased lighting at the Port based on a 24/7 operational lighting regime.
The assessment describes the predicted changes in landscape character and views that would occur during the life of the Project and combines visual sensitivity with magnitude of impact to provide an impact assessment ranking.
For the purposes of visual amenity, a Visual Amenity Assessment Area (i.e. a 5 km buffered area outside the Project area), has been adopted as a conservative measure of the likely limit of significant visual impacts arising from the Project. The buffer is based on the effect where a reduction in visual impacts is perceived as distance from the impact source increases.
21.4.5.2 Final Landform
All infrastructure will be removed infilled or levelled where required and rehabilitated (see Chapter 7) as part of the decommissioning stage unless prior agreement with the landholder and administrating authority is sought and granted.
The final landform will look very similar to the pre development landform which currently exists in the Project area (i.e. the decommissioned kaolin mine landform).
21.4.6 Assessment of Impacts Level
A matrix defining the relationship between ‘sensitivity’ and ‘magnitude of change’, and the resulting ‘impact level’ ranking is provided as Table 21-1.
Table 21-1 Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change
Potential impact level
Magnitude of change
Very High High Moderate Low-insignificant
Sen
siti
vity
Very High Very High Impact
Very High Impact High Impact Moderate Impact
High Very High Impact
High Impact Moderate Impact
Moderate Impact
Moderate High Impact High Impact Moderate Impact
Low Impact
Low-insignificant
High Impact Moderate Impact
Low Impact Insignificant Impact
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21.4.7 Landscape Character
Based on the general landscape character of the Project area (Section 21.4.3.1) the Project area is assessed as a having low visual sensitivity.
The magnitude of visual changes to landscape character resulting from the Project, are assessed in the context of its low visual sensitivity.
21.4.7.1 Definition of ‘Magnitude of Visual Change’ (Related to Landscape Character)
The magnitude of the potential visual change was identified, with this ‘magnitude of visual change’ given one of five possible rankings:
Insignificant – minor scale of landform change and vegetation removal, existing urban / infrastructure
present.
Low – moderate scale of landform change and minor vegetation removal, existing
urban/infrastructure present.
Moderate – moderate scale of landform change and/or vegetation removal, minor watercourses
possibly affected and existing urban/infrastructure possibly present on immediate site or seen in
wider landscape.
High - large scale of landform change and/or vegetation removal, minor watercourses possibly
affected and no substantial urban / infrastructure present on immediate site, yet possibly seen in
wider landscape.
Very high – significant scale of landform change and major vegetation removal, major watercourses
possibly affected, no existing urban / infrastructure present on immediate site nor seen in wider
landscape.
The landscape character impact assessment is based on the Project area landscape unit (described in Section 21.4.3), in the context of ‘visual sensitivity’ and ‘magnitude of visual change’ (described above). Using Table 21-1 which defines the relationship between ‘sensitivity’ and ‘magnitude of change’, the resulting landscape character ‘impact level’ rankings are shown in Table 21-2.
During operation of the mine the magnitude of change to landscape character would be moderate and the level of impact would be low. The magnitude of change to landscape character would be reduced in the longer term through decommissioning and removal of mine infrastructure and progressive and final rehabilitation of Project activities. Hence, the residual landscape character impact at the end of the mine would be insignificant.
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Table 21-2 Landscape Character Impact Assessment Summary Table
Landscape Unit Magnitude of Visual Change Sensitivity Level of Impact (Post Mitigation - see Section 21.5)
During Operations
End of Mine Life (Following Decommissioning and Successful Rehabilitation)
During Operations
End of Mine Life
Disturbed areas containing decommissioned mine infrastructure. The scenic quality and ‘visual sensitivity’ of the landscape is assessed as low visual sensitivity.
Moderate Insignificant Low Low Insignificant
21.4.8 Visual Amenity– Sensitive Receptors
Visual receptors and viewpoints are generally more sensitive the closer they are and the clearer the view of any changes. The numbers of viewers affected is also considered and whether viewers are permanent (such as residential viewers) or transient (such as users of the area for recreational purposes).
Potential visual sensitivity is assessed as insignificant for all potential visual receptors (stationary and transient) since they are identified as either:
permanent (potential residences) sensitive receptors and viewpoints that are situated outside the
likely Visual Amenity Assessment Area (i.e. outside the Project study area plus 5 km buffer), and/or
as being shielded from views by intervening topography and/or vegetation.
transient (recreational) sensitive receptors, generally with only fleeting or distant views of the Project
area or of the bulk vessel transhipment, and where the existing views of the Port will be similar to
views during the Project.
It is noted that recreational users’ sensitivity has been based on the historical and current presence of mine and Port infrastructure and the lack of known visual amenity related complaints to date. It is also noted that no view sites or roads exist with views into the Project area, therefore assessments of views from view sites and road positions are not considered in this assessment.
21.4.9 Lighting Impacts
21.4.9.1 Human Receptors
The existing night-time visual environment of this region is one which is historically, and to a lesser degree, currently affected by the kaolin mine and Port infrastructure.
For the Project, lighting will be designed to ensure any impact to the closest human receptors is minimised.
The absence of sensitive human receptors within the 5 km Visual Amenity Assessment Area (the closest residential receptors being 10.8 km to the southwest with intervening vegetation and topography), makes receptor sensitivity of the area low.
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It is possible that within a 5 km radius of the Project area a sky glow will exist (even where direct views are not possible), although there are no receptors in the area who would view any sky glow.
Given the distance between sources of light and potential viewers; and existing extent of lighting in the locality, the magnitude of change (increase) in lighting is expected to be insignificant.
Lighting impacts on potential viewers are therefore assessed as insignificant overall.
21.4.9.2 Faunal Receptors
Identification of faunal receptors and discussion of the potential impacts of the proposed Project’s lighting regime on sensitive ecological receptors are described in Chapter 18.
For the Project, lighting will be designed to ensure any impact to potential aquatic and marine fauna is minimised as described in Section 21.5.
21.5 Management Measures and Plans
Mitigation measures that will occur during the life of the Project, and at its closure include the following:
Progressive rehabilitation of disturbed mine areas, by backfilling with subsoils and topsoil, resulting
in a marginal decrease in surface elevation (between 0.5 m and 4.5 m) as a result of bauxite removal.
Revegetation of former mining areas with naturally occurring vegetation in the area.
Decommissioning of infrastructure at the end of operations and rehabilitation of disturbed areas.
Lighting design to ensure any impact to surrounding sensitive ecological receptors will be minimised
(see Chapter 18). Depending on the potential impacts to marine fauna, measures may include:
light shielding onto work areas
use of low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting where possible, and high pressure sodium lighting where
LPS is not possible
use of long wavelength (red/orange/yellow) lighting where possible, and exclusion or shielding of
short wave light with filters
avoidance of halogen, metal halide or fluorescent lighting where possible and where avoidance is
not possible, use of white lights only in contained areas where colour rendition is required
minimisation of the number and wattage of lights, and use of recess lighting where possible
minimisation of height of lighting structures to avoid light-spill
use of motion sensors and timers for light activation where practicable
use of reflectors to delineate equipment or pathways and use embedded lighting on roads
positioning of doors and windows directionally away from potential receptors.
maintaining intervening vegetation, topography or barriers to minimise potential sensitive
receptor exposure to light-spill.
Infrastructure will generally be removed, depending upon post-mining land uses, requests to retain infrastructure and the specific infrastructure type considered. Rehabilitation and revegetation will be through progressive natural re-colonisation throughout the life of the mine.
Decommission and rehabilitation measures will be implemented through a Rehabilitation Management Plan (RMP) to reduce the potential visual impact to the landscape character and surrounding viewpoints.
The final look of the Project area mine site at the conclusion of the rehabilitation phase would be very similar in scale and nature to the current landform of the decommissioned kaolin mine site. The upgraded
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port infrastructure, haul road, and airstrip elements of the Project will remain; but mine pits and any remaining stockpiles will be levelled and naturally re-vegetated during the rehabilitation phase.
Remaining infrastructure would not be visible from outside the visual assessment area (5 km) and would closely resemble the pre Project bauxite mining infrastructure.
Gulf Alumina will respond to all complaints about lighting that are not frivolous or vexatious, investigate potential light nuisance and may implement measures to reduce light spill based on investigations.
21.5.1 Monitoring Program
Rehabilitation success will be monitored as per the requirements of the RMP.
21.6 Risk Assessment
Post mitigation risk is assessed using the methodology described in Chapter 1 and is summarised in Table 21-3.
The risk assessment shows that during operations, the risk of adverse impacts through alteration to the landscape character is generally expected to be low reducing to insignificant at the end of the mine life following rehabilitation and decommissioning.
The risk of adverse impacts resulting in loss of visual amenity for sensitive receptors, recreational users of the upper Skardon River and night-time receptors is assessed as low.
The risk of adverse impacts on marine fauna is described in Chapter 18.
Table 21-3 Risk Assessment
Environmental Value
Impacts / Emissions / Releases Likelihood Consequence Risk Rating
Proposed Management Practices
Landscape Character
Impact to amenity through alteration of the landscape.
Unlikely (During Operation)
Minor Low (See Section 21.5)
Unlikely (End of Mine Life)
Minor Low
Visual Amenity Loss of visual amenity potential sensitive receptors.
Unlikely Minor Low
Loss of visual amenity for recreational users of the upper Skardon River.
Unlikely Minor Low
Night-time visual impact on sensitive human receptors from lighting.
Unlikely Minor Low
21.7 Conclusion
A study was conducted to assess the risk of impacts on landscape character, visual amenity and lighting from the Project on the identified landscape character and visual amenity values.
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The landscape character and visual amenity assessment viewpoints were identified. Potential sensitive receptors (potential residences and road users) were identified within a 20 km radius of the Project study area.
The assessment areas for the Project included the Landscape Character Assessment Area (the same as the Project area) and the Visual Amenity Assessment Area (covering the Project area plus a 5 km buffer).
An assessment was undertaken to determine the risk of impacts of the Project on the landscape character within the Landscape Character Assessment Area and the visual amenity of the Project activities on identified potential receptors within the Visual Amenity Assessment Area.
During operation of the mine the landscape character impact level would be low. The impact would be reduced in the longer term through decommissioning and rehabilitation. Hence, the residual landscape character impact at the end of the mine life would be insignificant.
Potential sensitive receptors (occupied residences) located further than 5 km away from the Project footprint (i.e. outside the Visual Amenity Assessment Area) are assumed to be outside the area for which visual change can reasonably be considered to be of significant concern. The nearest receptor is 10.8 km away with intervening topography and vegetation. Therefore no further assessment has been undertaken.
There will be no views from roads within 5 km of Project activities therefore no further assessment has been undertaken.
The sensitivity of recreational users of the area to changes in visual amenity is assessed as insignificant given the transient nature of views into the site, historical use of the site for Port and mining infrastructure, and lack of knowledge of visual amenity related complaints. Therefore there would be an insignificant risk of significant visual amenity impacts to stationary sensitive receptors and transient recreational users surrounding the Project. Any impacts will be further reduced through progressive rehabilitation.
The existing night-time visual environment of this region is, to some degree, one historically affected by the kaolin mine. Lighting will be designed to ensure any impact to surrounding viewpoints will be minimised. However, there are a number of components of the mine requiring lighting at night such as mining vehicles and equipment, the port, airstrip and accommodation areas. Given the distance between sources of light and potential human permanent and transient receptors; and existing extent of lighting in the locality, the magnitude of change in lighting is expected to be insignificant.
Project lighting has low potential to affect marine fauna as described in Chapter 18. Measures have been proposed to mitigate light spill into the marine environment, if required.
Activities that disturb landforms will be managed in a way that minimises adverse effects on the identified environmental values, and components of the activity will be carried out in a way that minimises adverse effects on the use of surrounding land. With the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures the prescribed environmental objectives and performance outcomes will be achieved.