FINGERBOARDS MINERAL SANDS PROJECT LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DETAILED PRESENTATION JUNE 2019
PRESENTATION CONTENT ▪ EES Scoping Requirements ▪ Purpose of the Study ▪ Methodology Proposal ▪ Impact Assessment Methodology ▪ Findings and Recommendations so Far URBIS.COM.AU
EES SCOPING The EES evaluation objective is: REQUIREMENTS ▪ To avoid adverse effects on the landscape and recreational values of the Mitchell River National Park and minimise visual effects on the open space areas . URBIS.COM.AU
PURPOSE OF THE ▪ Define the criteria relevant to the study including legislation, standards and guidelines. STUDY ▪ Characterise the existing landscape features and landscape character and scenic quality within the regional setting. ▪ Prepare visual simulations of the mine during development and at end of life from indicative, visually sensitive locations. ▪ Assess the potential visual impacts on identified sensitive receptors, including potential night lighting impacts. ▪ Identify and propose measures for the reduction, mitigation and management of potential visual impacts. URBIS.COM.AU
METHODOLOGY The methodology is comprised of: Quantitative Assessment ▪ How much of the proposal is visible from particular viewpoints? Qualitative Assessment ▪ Visual Modification – How does the proposal contrast with the landscape character – how well can the setting absorb change? ▪ Scenic Quality - What are the qualities / values of the landscape setting? ▪ Viewer Sensitivity – How sensitive will viewers be? URBIS.COM.AU
METHODOLOGY: The assessment has been undertaken for settings based on distance from the proposal: VISUAL SETTINGS ▪ Regional – more than 5 km. ▪ Sub – regional - between 1 km and 5 km: - Distant Sub – regional – between 2.5 km and 5 km. - Near Sub – regional – between 1 km and 2.5 km. ▪ Local – within 1 km. URBIS.COM.AU
METHODOLOGY: Horizontal QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT - VISUAL PROMINENCE – HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL Vertical URBIS.COM.AU
PROJECT ▪ Mine Life – approx. 20 years PROPOSAL: ▪ Footprint – 1,675ha ▪ Disturbed area at any one time – approx. 360ha KEY VISUAL ▪ Most visible components: CONSIDERATIONS ➢ Tailings storage ➢ Mining unit plants ➢ Wet concentrator plant ➢ Mine void ➢ Topsoil stockpiles ➢ General infrastructure ➢ Services corridor ➢ Rail siding URBIS.COM.AU
FINDINGS: SENSITIVE VIEWPOINTS ▪ Rural residences and settlements. ▪ Recreation and tourist attractions, e.g., Mitchell River National Park, tourism accommodation. ▪ Tourist Routes, e.g., Bairnsdale – Dargo Rd, Fernbank – Glenaladale Rd. URBIS.COM.AU
FINDINGS – SCREENING EFFECTS OF VEGETATION AT RESIDENCES Note: VP21 is now uninhabited URBIS.COM.AU
FINDINGS: VISUAL CATCHMENT ANALYSIS ▪ Based on heights of main elements (entire extent of project) ▪ Worst case – assumes no screening vegetation URBIS.COM.AU
Existing VIEWPOINT 15 -RECEPTOR 6 730 metres from closest element Post mining > 5 years During mining ~1 < 5 years URBIS.COM.AU
VIEWPOINT 18 -RECEPTOR 15 (BAIRNSDALE – DARGO RD) 510 metres from closest element Existing Post mining > 8 years URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~5 < 8 years
VIEWPOINT 21 -RECEPTOR 2 (KALBAR OWNED) 170 metres from closest element Existing Post mining > 15 years URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~ 1 < 15 years
VIEWPOINT 22 -RECEPTOR 5 (FERNBANK-GLENALADALE RD) 140 metres from closest element Existing Post mining > 5 years URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~1 < 5 years
VIEWPOINT RD1 – NEW ROAD (RELOCATED BAIRNSDALE-DARGO ROAD) 20 metres from closest element Existing Post mining > 12 years URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~5 years
VIEWPOINT RD2A -BAIRNSDALE-DARGO ROAD 30 metres from closest element Existing Post mining > 15 years URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~1 < ~8 years
VIEWPOINT RD3 -NEW ROAD (RELOCATED FERNBANK-GLENALADALE RD) 280 metres from closest element Existing Post mining > 15 years URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~ 12 years
VIEWPOINT RD4 -NEW ROAD (RELOCATED FERNBANK-GLENALADALE RD) 30 metres from closest element Post mining > 15 years Existing URBIS.COM.AU During mining ~ 1 < 5 years
MITIGATION ▪ Building material colour selection - processing plant and other buildings. MEASURES ▪ Progressive restoration. ▪ Foreground visual screening – at perimeter of fixed plant and along road sides. ▪ Off site mitigation – consultation with landowners regarding amelioration on their land. ▪ Shielding of fixed lighting and management of vehicle mounted lights. URBIS.COM.AU
SUMMARY ▪ Existing vegetation assists in screening views, particularly from residences ▪ Overlooking is not possible (except for distant and remote areas of the National Park). ▪ Highest impacts located within the local setting reducing with distance. ▪ Impact highest for 30 months as mining advances at about 1 km per year. ▪ Backfilling of pits and flattening of stockpiles - impact will fall to low to moderate, reducing further with revegetation. ▪ Minimal impact on surrounding areas once completed. ▪ Overall, the impacts of lighting are expected to be low. URBIS.COM.AU
SUMMARY (CONT ’) ▪ Service Corridor Impacts: ➢ Most visible components - 66kV and 22kV powerlines and the 2m high acoustic mound. ➢ Moderate to High impacts to VP17 (receptor 1), reducing to low as amelioration establishes. ▪ Rail Siding Impacts: ➢ Fernbank - generally low profile elements, screened from receptor 23 by existing vegetation. ➢ Bairnsdale – elements consistent with existing rail and industrial / commercial development . URBIS.COM.AU
SUMMARY: MOST HIGHLY IMPACTED VIEWPOINTS VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITY MODIFICATION INITIAL IMPACT RESIDUAL IMPACT LEVEL Viewpoint 15 – Receptor 6 H M-H H L-M Viewpoint 19 – Receptor 30 H L-M M-H L Viewpoint 22 – Receptor 5 H L L-M VL Diverted Tourist Roads H H H L Note: Residual impact is the final impact after the implementation and maturation of mitigation measures URBIS.COM.AU
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