gregors creek quarry visual amenity assessment · page 1 version 1.4 – may 2019 15/05/19 gregors...

Version 1.4 – May 2019 15/05/19

Gregors Creek Quarry

Visual Amenity Assessment

May 2019

DOCUMENT CHANGE CONTROL

Version Description (section(s) amended) Author(s) Date

1.1 Draft Document for Internal Review CM 26 September 2018

1.2 Final Document for Review CM 09 October 2018

1.3 Update to suit new Pit Designs CM 09 May 2019

1.4 Final document for submission CM 15 May 2019

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Introduction:

To support the Gregors Creek Quarry Development Proposal, Ausrocks have undertaken Visual Amenity Assessment around the project that encompasses Lot 1 & 2 RP75267, Lot 1 RP15328, Lot 5 RP41543 and Lot 2 RP99954. The proposal is discussed in further detail within the original application documents. An assessment was completed using elevation data and the location of neighbouring residences to determine the proposed development’s potential visual impacts. Existing Environment: The existing environment consists of a variety of land uses, including extractive industry in the river (sand & gravel), extractive industry in surrounding hills (hard rock), native vegetation, transport infrastructure (Brisbane Valley Highway), agricultural land and rural residences. The subject property has historically been utilised for extractive industry (from the river) and as a dairy farm with associated residence. Site Amenity:

The site is described as a semi-enclosed amphitheatre with partially vegetated ridgelines to the north, south and a fully vegetated ridgeline to the east. The main aspect is from the west where residences are located, some of which are on an elevated ridgeline.

Figure 1 - Site Amenity

Location Neighbouring Residences:

Neighbouring residences were determined using QLD globe aerial imagery, site investigations as well as topographic and cadastral boundary assessments. The purpose of selecting residences is to ensure a representative number of locations within a 2.5km radius of the extractive operations are included to enable the majority of visual impacts to be assessed. Where two residences are in close proximity or have similar visual impacts the site with the most direct line of sight was selected for assessment. An additional location was chosen at the nearest publicly assessible location (Gregors Creek Road – labelled GCR) adjacent to Lot 2 RP99954. Residences have been given an arbitrary numbering system to assist with identification and report writing. Figure 2 shows the location of each residence in relation to the subject site and Table 1 details the summary details of each location.

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Figure 2 - Visual Amenity Assessment Locations

Distances shown in Figure 2 are depicted from a centroid of the operation, however for more detailed assessment of the locations a more accurate measurement from the edge of the extraction area or the processing & stockpiling boundary has been selected for use in Table 1.

Table 1 – Summary of Locations for Assessment

ID GPS Co-ordinates

Cadastral Aspect Comment Distance to Quarry X Y Z

N1 438,115 7,012,357 136.6 6

SP126847

Atop a ridgeline, apparent expansive views west, north and east, verandah facing east

2100m

N2 438,172 7,011,926 156.0 5

SP126847

Adjacent and slightly upslope to N1, apparent expansive views west, north and east, verandah facing east

2020m

N3 438,133 7,011,100 191.2 3

RP159095

Atop large hill, apparent expansive views north, east and south, verandah facing east

2170m

N4 438,628 7,011,113 141.3 15

RP159097

Plateau below N3, apparent views east and south, trees around house blocks some views

1700m

N5 439,148 7,010,560 108.1 19

RP159096

Alongside road, apparent view to the northeast, vegetation on all sides of the house obscuring views

1600m

Quarry Operations 500m

1000m 1500m

2000m 2500m

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N6 439,356 7,011,220 98.2 18

RP159097

Alongside river at low elevation, views north and east, some trees along river bank

1010m

N7 439,206 7,011,364 98.0 17

RP159097

Adjacent to N6 at low elevation, views north and east, minimal trees around house

1070m

N8 438,880 7,011,555 118.2 16

RP159097

Setback from river atop small plateau, views to the southeast, trees obscuring views east

1330m

N9 438,609 7,012,015 113.9 14

RP159097

Adjacent to N8, views to the north and east, verandah facing north

1590m

N10 438,335 7,012,490 103.5 2

RP853001

Located at bend of the river below N1, views east with verandah facing east, some trees near house

1900m

N11 438,362 7,012,566 100.7 1

RP853001

Directly adjacent N11, views east with verandah facing east, trees near house

1910m

N12 439,560 7,012,963 98.9 1 RP99954

Located adjacent to access road, views south with dense trees around house and ridgeline to the southeast

990m

GCR 438,548 7,012,830 94.4 - Located on Gregors Creek Road with views southeast to project site, minimal vegetation

1800m

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Extraction Area

The proposed extraction area is located at the eastern end of the site, and recessed into a semi-enclosed enclosed amphitheatre style area, with the surrounding landform providing screening to the extraction area from the north, south, east, and partially to the west. The only views into the proposed extraction area are therefore from the south-west. The ridgelines surrounding the site are partially vegetated, and the open pasture area between the extraction area and the Brisbane River is also partially vegetated. Following further consultation with Council and consideration of comments provided, the following changes have been made to the proposed extraction area and associated screening:

• The northern edge of the extraction area has been changed to follow the 165m contour. At the eastern end of the extraction area, this removes a substantial area originally proposed toward the higher part of the hill, bringing the extraction area down from the 190m contour to the 165m contour. As the comparison overlay below shows, this removes a number of extraction benches from the upper part of the extraction area in the north-east corner. This change results in the extraction area moving further down the slope from the main ridge line, with the total vertical distance of the extraction benches in this part of the pit reducing from 83m to 56m (27m reduction), and maintaining the prominence of the ridgeline behind the extraction area.

• At the western end of the extraction area, the northern edge of the pit moves back from the 150m contour to the 165m contour, which adds additional extraction area to compensate for the loss at the eastern end. This additional area however pushes back in behind the hill at the western end of the extraction area, ensuring that it is screened from view.

• Screening vegetation will be added for the full length of the haul road on the site, which will return to the south and east to screen the processing area and concrete plant, and also with a leg that extends to the north, rising up the hill beside the eastern end of the extraction pit. This vegetation will be planted prior to the commencement of the use, and will consist of two rows of trees, with the trees planted at 10m centres and the rows offset by 5m. The screening will consist of native trees that will have a mature height of at least 15m. By planting this vegetation prior to the commencement of the use, this will ensure that screening of the haul roads is established as soon as possible, and the vegetation that provides screening to the extraction area is well established prior to any stages of extraction becoming visible to the south-west.

Figure 3 – Amendment of Extraction Area The figure above shows the change from the original proposed pit layout in blue, with the new upper edge of the extraction area shown in yellow.

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Figure 4 – Site Plan showing proposed additional screening The figure above shows the overall site plan, with the proposed dual rows of new screening vegetation shown in green, and situated along the haul road, around the processing area and concrete plant, and along the western edge of the extraction area.

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Planning Context

The development application submitted to Council has been made under the superseded Esk Planning

Scheme. During the course of the application being considered, the new Somerset Region Planning

Scheme has commenced on 1 March 2016.

Esk Planning Scheme

Under the Rural Zone Code of the Esk Planning Scheme, Specific Outcome S10 deals with Character,

Landscape and Amenity as follows:

S10

Development in rural areas is compatible with the desired character and amenity of the area,

and with the scenic and landscape values of the area.

The Probable Solutions for this Specific Outcome are:

PS10.1 Premises are located so that material and product haulage routes do not pass through residential areas. PS10.2 On-site landscaping is established and maintained so as to:

• retain existing native vegetation; and

• effectively screen all non-residential buildings, structures and outdoor use areas from

view from surrounding roads and dwellings

PS10.3 Important views to or across the site are maintained PS10.4 Disruption to the natural profile of the land and visual scarring from development is minimised PS10.5 Development is designed and located to protect air, water and soil quality

Having regard to the probable solutions identified by the Rural Zone Code, the proposed use has been designed to minimise the visual impact of the extraction and processing activities by locating the use in a part of the site that is significantly screened from surrounding land uses by existing topography. In addition, the progressive rehabilitation of benches and planting of extensive screening vegetation will also minimise the visual impact of the use. The solutions proposed as part of this development significantly exceed what has been required for previous extractive industry uses in the area, most of which are not nominated as Key Resource Areas either. The probable solutions of the Rural Zone Code will be met in the following ways:

• PS10.1 – Haulage of material from the site will be via Gregors Creek Road, with all vehicles travelling to the west to access the Brisbane Valley Highway. Haulage routes will not pass through a residential area.

• PS10.2 – The extraction area currently contains only a limited amount of scattered vegetation. More dense stands of mature vegetation are located on the hills to the west and south of the use area, which screen the majority of the activities on the site. All existing vegetation on these hills and on the pasture between the use area and the Brisbane River will be retained. Significant screening vegetation will also be planted along the internal haul road and to the edges of the extraction pit and processing area to effectively screen the use from surrounding properties to the south-west on the opposite side of the Brisbane River.

• PS10.3 – All important views across the site will be maintained. While a number of houses are located on the opposite side of the Brisbane River that have a view across the property, these houses range from 1km to 2.1km from the extraction area and most are positioned with mature vegetation between the dwelling and the Brisbane River. The views to the site from these houses are therefore largely filtered by existing mature vegetation.

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Figure 5 - View of houses on opposite side of Brisbane River & existing vegetation The most prominent views across the site from houses to the south-west are to the Brisbane River, the pasture areas along the river (these are the closest and most visible aspects of the view from these houses), and the Cressbrook Conservation Park which is a densely vegetated reserve that frames the view from these houses. The proposal will maintain all of these important views across the property, and therefore meet the probable solution. The prosed use will occur within a small part of the field of vision from these houses in the undulating hills at the rear of the property, which are less prominent than the Conservation Park behind the use area. In the wider context of the view over the subject site, which includes more significant ridgelines, treed slopes and pastural river plains along the Brisbane River, these modest intervening hills are not particularly significant visual features.

Pasture Areas Proposed Use Area Conservation Park

Figure 6 - View of the site from elevated position on opposite side of Brisbane River

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• PS10.4 – the revised layout of the extraction area has been designed to follow the natural contours of the land in the amphitheatre style area that is located in between existing spurs of the landform that screen the majority of the extraction and processing area from view. As part of the extraction process, it is proposed to undertake progressive rehabilitation of the extraction benches as the works move down the slope of the land, so at any point in time there are only 2 working benches visible on the site (i.e. one being worked and the previous being rehabilitated). It is noted that for the majority of the stages of extraction, no benches will be visible while this work is occurring, due to the screening provided by the landform and vegetation. This is a significant contrast from other extractive industry uses the public have observed in the area, which expose the entire pit or extraction face for the duration of the extraction works, which results in visible scarring for the duration of the use. The nearby Karreman quarry is an example of the traditional approach to hard rock quarrying where multiple benches are exposed that are visible from surrounding properties and Gregors Creek Road. For the proposal on the subject site, the disruption to the visible profile of the land and the amount of visible scarring has therefore been minimised in accordance with the probable solution, through a combination of landform, landscaping and rehabilitation.

Figure 7 - Nearby Extraction viewed from Gregors Creek Road with multiple benches exposed

• PS10.5 – The accompanying expert reports provided with the application to deal with noise impact, air quality and stormwater management have demonstrated that the development will provide appropriate protection of air, water and soil quality.

Having regard to the planning framework of the Esk Planning Scheme, under which this application has been submitted, the proposed use has been designed in a manner which will minimise the visual and amenity impact of the development, with only very small sections of the extraction area being visible at any point in time, and progressive rehabilitation ensuring that any visual scarring is minimised in accordance with the probable solutions of the Rural Zone Code. Extractive Industry Code For extractive industry uses, the Esk Planning Scheme goes on to deal with visual amenity specifically for this type of land use under SO3 of the Extractive Industry Code, which seeks to ensure that “the extractive industry is located in a way that ensures the visual amenity and character of the area are not unduly prejudiced”.

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The code therefore acknowledges that extractive industry uses may generate a degree of visual impact, but does not require that there is no impact and therefore by extension prohibit the establishment of an extractive industry use in the Rural Zone. As detailed in the visual assessment and the mitigation strategies proposed, the use has been designed to minimise the visual impact of the extractive industry, and the rehabilitation and revegetation strategies will ensure that the character and amenity of the area are not unduly prejudiced, particularly when considered in the context of the full view over the subject site from surrounding properties.

Somerset Region Planning Scheme The new Somerset Region Planning Scheme commenced on 1 March 2016, following the lodgement of the development application on this site. As with the superseded Esk Planning Scheme, the subject site is included in the Rural Zone. Under the Rural Zone Code of the Somerset Region Planning Scheme, the Purpose of the Rural Zone as outlined in Section 6.2.9.2 is to:

a) provide for rural uses and activities; and b) provide for other uses and activities that are compatible with—

(i) existing and future rural uses and activities; and (ii) the character and environmental features of the zone; and

c) maintain the capacity of land for rural uses and activities by protecting and managing significant natural resources and processes.

The Purpose of the code is achieved through the following Performance Outcomes and Acceptable Outcomes that deal with Amenity:

PO7 The design, location and operation of development does not result in any undue adverse impact on the amenity of the locality, having regard to: (a) hours of operation; (b) lighting; (c) noise; (d) dust, odour and other airborne emissions; (e) public health and safety; (f) traffic generation; (g) the use of advertising devices; (h) visual amenity; and (i) overlooking and privacy.

PO8 Development must take into account and seek to ameliorate any existing negative environmental impacts, having regard to: (a) noise; (b) hours of operation; (c) traffic; (d) lighting; (e) advertising devices; (f) visual amenity; (g) privacy; (h) odour; or (i) emissions.

The Zone Code does not prescribe any acceptable outcomes for the requirements above, but it is noted that the performance outcomes seek to ensure development does not have any undue adverse impact on visual amenity, and development must take into account and seek to ameliorate any negative impacts with regard to visual amenity.

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The planning scheme therefore acknowledges that there will be instances where a use may have an impact on visual amenity, and where this occurs the proposal is to incorporate solutions to ameliorate negative impacts.

Extractive Industry Code For extractive industry uses, the Somerset Region Planning Scheme goes on to deal with visual amenity specifically for this type of land use under PO3, which seeks to ensure that “where not in a in a key resource area the design, operation and staging of the extractive industry appropriately protects and avoids impacts on areas of ecological significance, scenic amenity and landscape character of the locality”. Having regard to this performance outcome, it is noted that the proposed extraction area does not contain any features of ecological significance and is not mapped under the Scenic Amenity Overlay. The proposed use therefore meets the performance outcomes of the Extractive Industry Code relating to the scenic and visual amenity of an extractive industry use that is not located in a key resource area. Overlays The Somerset Region Planning Scheme includes an overlay specifically related to the protection of scenic amenity. The overlay maps features relating to High Scenic Amenity areas, Scenic Mountains (above 400m elevation), and Scenic Routes. The overlay map shows the Cressbrook Conservation Park as containing areas of High Scenic Amenity, with this mapping extending in part onto adjoining land, including the subject site.

Figure 8 - Scenic Amenity Overlay Map The area mapped as High Scenic Amenity extends onto the subject site, appearing to run along part of the ridge above the proposed extraction area. As the mapping does not include any specific information to identify the cadastral boundary of the High Scenic Amenity Area, further analysis of the mapping and land contours has been undertaken. In reviewing the contours for the site and adjoining land, it is apparent that the mapped area of High Scenic Amenity generally follows the 200m contour. This is further verified by cross checking the 180m contour, which results in a much larger footprint and would merge the 2 distinct mapped areas to the east of the site into one larger mapped area. It is therefore a reliable assumption to reference this mapping as being representative of the 200m contour. As detailed in the description of the extraction area in this report, the upper level of the extraction area now follows the 165m contour, resulting in the proposed works being located 35m vertically below the mapped area of High Scenic Amenity. The proposal will therefore not be located in an area mapped as having a high scenic amenity under the Somerset Region Planning Scheme.

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Methodology

Digital elevation data was sourced from the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

(DNRME) LiDAR Data Inland Towns Stage 4 2012 Project covering Linville and Toogoolawah. The data

was captured by Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) between 18th June 2012 and 7th September 2012 with

a vertical accuracy of +/-0.15m and a horizontal accuracy of +/-0.45m.

The analysis was completed using the ‘View Shed Analysis’ tool on Global Mapper (V20.1). This tool

allows the use of a transmitter elevation (visual receptor/neighbour), receiver elevation (quarry

operations and surrounding land) along with the terrain data to produce a map with shaded areas of

visibility from the visual receptor.

Due to the topographical features which shield all visual amenity in the northern, eastern and southern

directions (refer Figure 1) it was considered not relevant to assess any additional visual impacts in those

directions. For the purposes of the assessment each visual receptor location (the point where visuals

are assessed from) was chosen at the centroid of each house site, taking into account any verandas or

outdoor seating areas. With the level of detail available in the elevation data a ‘worst case’ scenario

representing the roofline of the house was selected for the elevation of the receptor.

The height assumed from the transmitter/receptor elevation was 0m above the terrain (elevation data

was accurate enough to select roof line of house) and the receiver elevation was set at 0m (ground

level). For the Gregors Creek Road receptor a transmitter elevation of 2m above the ground was

selected to represent a vehicle travelling along the road. For each assessment a specific angle of vision

was selected, eg 0 to 180 degrees for residences N1-11 and 90 to 270 degrees for residence N12 &

GCR. A baseline assessment was completed to determine the overall visual amenity of the greenfield

(undeveloped) site and to guide placement of infrastructure. Figure 9 shows the assessment with

shaded red areas depicting ground that is visible from one or more receptor locations and non-shaded

areas being shielded by vegetation, ground elevation or other obstructions.

Figure 9 - Visual Cover of Greenfield Site

Extraction Area

Processing & Stockpiling Area

Neighbours

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Detailed assessments were then conducted for each receptor location (13) at each stage of the

development (6 stages) resulting in a total of 78 assessments. It would be impractical to show every

individual receptor plans but an example from N2 for Stage 5 is shown in Figure 10. The combined

visual assessments for each development stage have been provided in Appendix 1.

Figure 10 – Example Amenity Assessment (N2, Stage 5)

Amenity Assessment:

As amenity is subjective, a methodology has been developed to compare the level of visual effect (how the disturbance contrasts with the surrounding land) with the scale of the visual impact (proportion of view occupied by disturbance) to assess the level of amenity potentially impacted.

The visual effect has been classified in three classifications;

• Low: disturbance contrasts well with the natural landscape and would be either difficult to

distinguish or expected in the landscape for other accepted land uses (such as agriculture).

This classification includes undisturbed land, access roads (comparable to existing local road

network), buildings (office & workshop) and vegetated bunds (once vegetation is established).

• Medium: disturbance shares some features with of the natural landscape however some

contrast is expected. This classification includes benches with partial rehabilitation, haul

roads, stockpile area and other infrastructure (plant, sediment basins etc).

• High: disturbance does not share any features with the natural landscape and contrasts

heavily. This classification includes operating extraction areas (floor of pit & operating

benches)

The visual impact is assessed by comparing the estimated angle of vista from the visual receptor with the length of disturbance visible from the receptor location to determine an overall proportion of view occupied by the disturbance. The angle of vista is calculated using the view shed tool to determine what percentage of a 360 degree vista is available from the location. This angle is then translated into a vista distance (circumference) by using the distance between the receptor and the disturbance. A view shed analysis was then created for each receptor location and each development stage. From this analysis the distance of disturbance visible from the receptor was measured. The distance of disturbance was divided by the vista distance to determine the proportion of view occupied by the disturbance as a percentage. An example is shown below;

Only Upper Partially Rehabilitated Benches in

Extraction Area are Visible

Only Part of the Processing & Stockpiling Area is Visible

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N1 is located on top of a ridgeline with approximately 200 degree vista. N1 is located approximately 2100m to the nearest disturbance which gives a relative vista distance of (2 x 3.14 x 2100) x (200/360) = 7,327m. A disturbance distance of 40m was measured from the view shed analysis. The proportion of view occupied by the disturbance is then 40/7327 = 0.5%.

Due to the low impact nature of the areas classified as ‘low visual effect’ no further assessment was undertaken of these areas. For the medium and high visual effect areas the visible disturbance distance was measured in Global Mapper and plotted in a table within Appendix 2. However a summary of the outcomes are discussed below.

• For Stages 1 to 4 of the pit development, the proportion of Medium visual effect ranges from 0% to 17% and the proportion of High visual effect ranges from 0% to 5%. Based on these outcomes the development is considered to have a minor effect on the amenity of the local area during these stages.

• For Stages 5, 6 and 7 of the pit development, the proportion of Medium visual effect ranges from 0% to 40% and the proportion of High visual effect ranges from 0% to 5.9%. Based on these outcomes it is recommended that additional bunding or screening controls are introduced to ensure the development has minimal impact on the amenity of the local area.

Discussion:

For Stages 1 to 4 of the development, the strategic development of the pit, processing & stockpiling areas contributes to an acceptable amenity outcome for the development. This outcome assumes that rehabilitation commences on final benches as soon as practical, and if rehabilitation is delayed or is not able to be completed it may have a negative effect on the visual amenity outcomes. However, for Stages 5, 6 and 7 additional controls could be investigated to further limit any potential high visual effect exposure for the upper benches of the extraction area that will be visible while they are being worked, and before rehabilitation works commence. It is important to note however that with the proposed progressive rehabilitation of the extraction benches, the upper benches of these stages are only worked in 200m – 300m segments, and the upper benches of Stage 6 will be rehabilitated by the time work on the upper benches of Stage 7 commences. The management of the extraction through a series of stages that will be progressively rehabilitated, rather than opening up the full face of the extraction area, ensures that the visual impact of the works is minimised and not representative of what local residents are used to seeing with the management of extraction areas for other quarries. Additional controls that could be investigated to reduce the visibility of the operating areas of the site include the use of shipping containers or earth bunds with a coloured finish to blend with the surrounding land, or more natural vegetated bunds & screening trees. Given that the stages with more visible areas occur in the latter portion of the development life (some 20+ years in the future) there is sufficient time available to assess the progress of progressive rehabilitation in early stages, and then implement additional mitigation measures if necessary for the later stages if it is identified that further screening is desirable.

Appendix 1: Visual Amenity Assessment – Description and Plans

Stage 1 Stage 1 of the site development involves the establishment of the processing and stockpile area, and the first stage of extraction from the eastern end of the extraction area. The processing and stockpile area is located inside a valley and is more than 1km from the nearest residences as shown in Figure 2 above, which minimises the extent to which this area is visible from surrounding properties. The establishment of the processing and stockpile area will involve the creation of excavated pads for each piece of processing plant to be installed along the slope. At the base of the slope a large pad area will be excavated using cut to fill methods, on which the material stockpiles and the concrete plant will be located. This will consist of:

• Processing equipment (crushers, screens, conveyors etc) with a maximum height of 12 metres;

• Stockpiles of raw and processed materials with a maximum height of 10 metres; and

• A concrete batching plant with a maximum height of 12.5 metres. The Extraction Area is located on the adjacent slope of the valley to the processing area. Extraction will commence from the eastern end of the proposed pit, with work occurring behind the existing hill face to screen this stage from view. The Stage 1 visual assessment plan below shows that Stage 1 Pit area will be effectively screened by the landform of the site from the nearby houses identified. Stage 1 involves the extraction to 125m level which contains approximately 430,000t of material and is anticipated to occur over a period of 4.3 years from year 0 to year 4.3. Stage 2 From Stage 2 of the extraction onwards, there is no change proposed to the processing and stockpile area. This area will be established as part of Stage 1, and is proposed to be of a sufficient size to cater for all stages of the extraction. The Stage 2 extraction works are an extension to the north of the Stage 1 to 125m level, and continue behind the existing hill face in a northerly direction to screen the work in this stage from view. Stage 2 involves the extraction of approximately 380,000t of material which is anticipated to occur over a period of 3.8 years. This is likely to occur from year 4.3 to year 8.2. Stage 3 The Stage 3 extraction works broaden the pit to the west while keeping the same upper bench level. The pit is also benched down to the 110m level whilst the main extraction area is still being screened from view by the existing hill face. This stage exposes some of the final faces of the quarry along the eastern pit boundary, and hence rehabilitation of the upper benches is likely to occur during this stage. Stage 3 involves the extraction of approximately 880,000t of material which is anticipated to occur over a period of 8.8 years. This is likely to occur from year 8.2 to year 17. Stage 4 The Stage 4 works continue to increase the size of the extraction pit, moving back toward the west at 125m level. A small section of the upper benches will be developed, acknowledging that rehabilitation will have commenced on the benches to the east during Stage 3, with rehabilitation expected to be completed and well established at the completion of works in this stage. Stage 4 involves the extraction of 960,000 tonnes of material which is anticipated to occur over a period of 9.6 years. This is likely to occur from year 17 to year 26.6.

Stage 5 The Stage 5 extraction works extend on the Stage 4 pit to the west at 125m level. This work occurs in the upper area of the extraction area leaving one bench of cover along the western pit boundary for screening. The bulk of extraction is still being screened by the existing hill face and this bench. The upper benches will be progressively rehabilitated during this stage. Stage 5 involves the extraction of 1.2 M tonnes of material which is anticipated to occur over a period of 12 years. This is likely to occur from year 26.6 to year 38.6. Stage 6 The Stage 6 extraction works extend on the Stage 5 pit to the west at 140m level. This work occurs behind the hill to provide screening along the western pit boundary. The upper benches will be progressively rehabilitated during this stage. Stage 5 involves the extraction of 610,000 tonnes of material which is anticipated to occur over a period of 6.1 years. This is likely to occur from year 38.6 to year 44.7. Stage 7 This is the final stage of extraction that involves the removal of the lower benches to the 110m level in the western portion of the pit. The removal of the final section of hill face creates the largest area of extraction that without mitigation, will be visible from surrounding properties. Stage 7 involves the extraction of 5.99 M tonnes of material which is anticipated to occur over a period of 59.9 years from year 44.7 onwards. As the Stage 7 works would not commence for more than 40 years after commencement of Stage 1, there will be sufficient time for the proposed screening vegetation established on the site prior to the commencement of the use to reach maturity and provide an effective screen between the use area and surrounding properties. The implementation of a 15m high screen along the areas indicated will provide a significant reduction in the visibility of the quarry operations from surrounding properties significantly, including the day to day activities associated with the processing area and haul road.

Conclusion and Recommendations The proposed staging of the works has been designed to minimise the extent to which the extraction works will be visible from surrounding properties. This involves commencing the extraction works at the eastern end of the pit, where the greatest level of screening by the existing landform is provided. The initial stages of extraction will predominantly occur behind the hill face that can be seen from the west, rather than previously proposed staging that would start at the top of the pit and work progressively down the hill face. This creates a working pit that has elevated sides which will screen the majority of the works as they progress from the houses to the west that have views towards this area. The most visible aspect of the extraction will occur in Stage 7, where the main hill face needs to be removed. The time of disturbance for these works will significantly longer than 10 years from the commencement of the use, therefore mitigation measures (such as the 15m high screening) implemented prior to the commencement of the use will have sufficient time to reach maturity before it is practically needed. This mitigation along with progressive rehabilitation of the upper benches from early stages will reduce the visual impact of what can be seen in this stage. Given that Stage 7 is not expected to commence for at least 40 years, there will also be sufficient time to identify any additional vegetation screening that could be established to provide improved screening in that time. In assessing the extent of extraction that will become visible over the various stages of the development, the overall impact has been designed to be very limited due to:

• The distance of the extraction area to the closest houses;

• The extent of screening provided by existing landform and vegetation; and

• The limited extent to which the works will occupy the vista from any of the affected houses. This results in the very low proportion of medium and high visual effect impacts from the assessment undertaken in this report, and a substantial improvement from the original staging concept proposed. It is therefore considered that the proposed development has been designed to be consistent with the outcomes of the Rural Zone Code with respect to scenic amenity and rural character, and the operation of the use will minimise the visual impact of the extraction area in accordance with the provisions of the respective Extractive Industry Codes under the current and superseded planning schemes. The following conditions or requirements are therefore recommended for inclusion in the development permit to ensure the visual amenity of the area is not unduly prejudiced:

• Staging of extraction to be undertaken in accordance with the approved staging plans to minimise the length of extraction benches across the site that may be visible to surrounding properties.

• Planting of Screening vegetation for the length of the haul road on the site, returning to the south and east to screen the processing area, concrete plant and stockpile area, and extending to the north beside the eastern end of the extraction pit, as shown on the proposal plans. This vegetation is to be planted prior to the commencement of the use, and will consist of two rows of trees, with the trees planted at 10m centres and the rows offset by 5m. The screening will consist of native trees that will have a mature height of at least 15m.

• Progressive rehabilitation of the extraction area is to be undertaken, with rehabilitation of extraction benches to occur once extraction on those benches is complete. Detailed design of the bench rehabilitation strategy is to be provided as part of the Operational Works application.

• Overburden stockpiles are to be grassed to provide for stability, erosion and sediment control, and visual amenity.

• A detailed rehabilitation, landscape and vegetation management plan is to be submitted as part of an Operational Works application for approval prior to the commencement of any site works. The plan will deal with the long-term management and maintenance of vegetation on the site, including vegetation establishment, mulching, fertilising, watering, weed management, monitoring and replacement planting to ensure the continuity of screening.

Stage 1 Pit – Visual Amenity Assessment

Appendix 2: Location Overview & Amenity Assessment

Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover

N1 2100 200 50 1% 150 2% 180 2% 400 5% 580 8% 580 8% 580 8%

N2 2020 120 425 10% 430 10% 430 10% 590 14% 880 21% 920 22% 920 22%

N3 2170 90 330 10% 430 13% 430 13% 590 17% 880 26% 1080 32% 1080 32%

N4 1700 250 250 3% 320 4% 380 5% 550 7% 830 11% 1030 14% 1030 14%

N5 1600 90 80 3% 90 4% 100 4% 320 13% 590 23% 620 25% 620 25%

N6 1010 150 100 4% 110 4% 120 5% 340 13% 640 24% 850 32% 850 32%

N7 1070 120 170 8% 170 8% 185 8% 390 17% 690 31% 900 40% 900 40%

N8 1330 220 280 5% 430 8% 430 8% 590 12% 880 17% 1030 20% 1030 20%

N9 1590 240 150 2% 100 2% 180 3% 390 6% 670 10% 670 10% 670 10%

N10 1900 100 300 9% 325 10% 420 13% 530 16% 590 18% 590 18% 590 18%

N11 1910 170 140 2% 160 3% 200 4% 360 6% 360 6% 360 6% 360 6%

N12 990 180 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

GCR 1800 160 80 2% 0 0% 0 0% 30 1% 30 1% 30 1% 30 1%

Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover Distance % Cover

N1 2100 200 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

N2 2020 120 - - - - 120 2.8% - - - - - - 70 1.7%

N3 2170 90 - - - - 170 5.0% - - - - 30 0.9% 200 5.9%

N4 1700 250 - - - - 170 2.3% - - - - 40 0.5% 90 1.2%

N5 1600 90 - - - - 90 3.6% - - - - - - - -

N6 1010 150 - - - - 100 3.8% - - - - - - - -

N7 1070 120 - - - - 90 4.0% - - - - - - - -

N8 1330 220 - - - - 120 2.3% - - - - - - 75 1.5%

N9 1590 240 - - - - 110 1.7% - - - - - - - -

N10 1900 100 - - - - 50 1.5% - - - - - - - -

N11 1910 170 - - - - 20 0.4% - - - - - - - -

N12 990 180 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

GCR 1800 160 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Stage 7

Assessment of 'High Visual Effect'Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6Location

ID

Distance to

Quarry (m)

Vista Angle

(deg)

Stage 1 Stage 2

Stage 7

Assessment of 'Medium Visual Effect'Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6Distance to

Quarry (m)

Vista Angle

(deg)

Location

ID

gregors creek quarry visual amenity assessment · page 1 version 1.4 – may 2019 15/05/19 gregors...

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