fingerboards mineral sands project · project proposal: key visual considerations mine life...

FINGERBOARDS MINERAL SANDS PROJECT LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

DETAILED PRESENTATION

JUNE 2019

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PRESENTATION CONTENT▪ EES Scoping Requirements

▪ Purpose of the Study

▪ Methodology Proposal

▪ Impact Assessment Methodology

▪ Findings and Recommendations so Far

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The EES evaluation objective is:

▪ 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.

EES SCOPING REQUIREMENTS

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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

▪ Define the criteria relevant to the study includinglegislation, standards and guidelines.

▪ Characterise the existing landscape features andlandscape character and scenic quality within theregional setting.

▪ Prepare visual simulations of the mine duringdevelopment and at end of life from indicative,visually sensitive locations.

▪ Assess the potential visual impacts on identifiedsensitive receptors, including potential night lightingimpacts.

▪ Identify and propose measures for the reduction,mitigation and management of potential visualimpacts.

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The methodology is comprised of:

Quantitative Assessment

▪ How much of the proposal is visible from particularviewpoints?

Qualitative Assessment

▪ Visual Modification – How does the proposalcontrast with the landscape character – how wellcan the setting absorb change?

▪ Scenic Quality - What are the qualities / values ofthe landscape setting?

▪ Viewer Sensitivity – How sensitive will viewers be?

METHODOLOGY

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METHODOLOGY: VISUAL SETTINGS

The assessment has been undertaken for settings based on distance from the proposal:

▪ 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.

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METHODOLOGY: QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT -VISUAL PROMINENCE – HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

Horizontal

Vertical

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PROJECT PROPOSAL:KEY VISUAL CONSIDERATIONS

▪ Mine Life – approx. 20 years

▪ Footprint – 1,675ha

▪ Disturbed area at any one time – approx. 360ha

▪ Most visible components:

➢Tailings storage

➢Mining unit plants

➢Wet concentrator plant

➢Mine void

➢Topsoil stockpiles

➢General infrastructure

➢Services corridor

➢Rail siding

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▪ 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.

FINDINGS: SENSITIVE VIEWPOINTS

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FINDINGS –SCREENING EFFECTS OF VEGETATION AT RESIDENCES

Note: VP21 is now uninhabited

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FINDINGS: VISUAL CATCHMENT ANALYSIS▪ Based on

heights of main elements (entire extent of project)

▪ Worst case –assumes no screening vegetation

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VIEWPOINT 15 - RECEPTOR 6

730 metres from closest element

Existing

During mining ~1 < 5 years

Post mining > 5 years

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VIEWPOINT 18 - RECEPTOR 15(BAIRNSDALE – DARGO RD)510 metres from closest element

During mining ~5 < 8 years

Post mining > 8 years

Existing

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VIEWPOINT 21 - RECEPTOR 2 (KALBAR OWNED)

During mining ~ 1 < 15 years

Post mining > 15 years

Existing

170 metres from closest element

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VIEWPOINT 22 - RECEPTOR 5(FERNBANK-GLENALADALE RD)140 metres from closest element

During mining ~1 < 5 years

Existing

Post mining > 5 years

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VIEWPOINT RD1 – NEW ROAD(RELOCATED BAIRNSDALE-DARGO ROAD)20 metres from closest element

During mining ~5 years

Post mining > 12 years

Existing

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VIEWPOINT RD2A- BAIRNSDALE-DARGO ROAD30 metres from closest element

During mining ~1 < ~8 years

Post mining > 15 years

Existing

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VIEWPOINT RD3 - NEW ROAD(RELOCATED FERNBANK-GLENALADALE RD)

During mining ~ 12 years

Post mining > 15 years

Existing

280 metres from closest element

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VIEWPOINT RD4 - NEW ROAD(RELOCATED FERNBANK-GLENALADALE RD)

During mining ~ 1 < 5 years

Post mining > 15 years

Existing

30 metres from closest element

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MITIGATION MEASURES

▪ Building material colour selection - processing plant and other buildings.

▪ 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.

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▪ 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.

SUMMARY

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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.

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SUMMARY: MOST HIGHLY IMPACTED VIEWPOINTS

VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITY MODIFICATION

LEVEL

INITIAL IMPACT RESIDUAL IMPACT

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