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Lydenburg – Merensky 132kV Power lines Project Visual Impact Assessment Study

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd

January 2014

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Client:

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd Project Name:

Lydenburg – Merensky 132kV Power lines Project –Visual Impact Assessment Study

Royal HaskoningDHV Reference Number:

T01.JNB.000507

Compiled by:

Paul da Cruz

Date:

January 2014

Location:

Woodmead

Approval: Malcolm Roods

_____________________________

Signature

© Royal HaskoningDHV

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission from Royal HaskoningDHV

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 0

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 0

ACRONYMS 0

SPECIALIST DECLARATION 1

1 INTRODUCTION 2

1.1 AIMS OF THE STUDY 2

1.2 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS 2

1.3 PROJECT TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 2

1.3.1 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION 2 1.3.2 TECHNICAL DETAILS 3

1.3.2.1 Servitude Requirements and Clearances

1.3.2.2 Access

2 STUDY AREA VISUAL ENVIRONMENT 6

2.1 LANDSCAPE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS, TOPOGRAPHY, VISUAL CHARACTER, AND VAC 6

2.2 VISUAL CHARACTER OF THE STUDY AREA 8

2.3 VISUAL ABSORPTION CAPACITY (VAC) 9

2.4 VISUAL SENSITIVITY 9

2.5 LOCATION OF VISUAL RECEPTORS AND KEY OBSERVATION LOCATIONS 11

3 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 17

3.1 GENERIC ASPECTS OF VISUAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENTS AND STRUCTURES 17

3.2 SELECTION OF KEY OBSERVATION POINTS AND ZONES OF VISUAL EXPOSURE 19

3.2.1 IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT 26

3.3 VISUAL CONTRAST RATING – KEY OBSERVATION LOCATIONS 26

3.3.1 TOLERANCE LEVELS RELATING TO DEGREE OF ACCEPTABLE CHANGE 27 3.3.2 VISUAL CONTRAST RATING AT KEY OBSERVATION LOCATIONS 29

3.3.2.1 Buffelsvley Guest Farm

3.3.2.2 Sharalumbi Estate Phase 1 northern household

3.3.2.3 Black Leopard Lodge

3.3.2.4 Thaba Tholo Stakeholders Household

3.3.2.5 Kudu Ranch – North-western Households

3.3.2.6 Kudu Ranch – South-western Households

3.3.3 DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR VISUAL IMPACT 52

3.4 COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS 54

3.5 MITIGATION MEASURES 56

4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 58

5 REFERENCES 58

List of Tables

TABLE 1 - MINIMUM STANDARDS TO BE USED FOR VEGETATION CLEARING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SUB-

TRANSMISSION LINE 5

TABLE 2 SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS IN THE STUDY AREA 12

TABLE 3 – DEGREE OF VISIBILITY OF NEAREST LINE ALTERNATIVE FROM SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS

TABLE 4 - VISUAL CHANGE OBJECTIVE AND TOLERANCE LEVEL FOR THE STUDY AREA 28

TABLE 5 - COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF DEGREE OF VISUAL CONTRAST AND CONSISTENCY WITH TOLERANCE LEVEL FOR

EACH ALTERNATIVE 52

TABLE 6 – FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS

List of Figures

FIGURE 1 – STUDY AREA 3

FIGURE 2 - 132 KV STEEL MONOPOLE STRUCTURE 4

FIGURE 3 – BUFFELSVLEY GUEST FARM SITUATED IN THE WATERVALS RIVER VALLEY ENCIRCLED BY MOUNTAINS

FIGURE 4 – DENSE RIPARIAN WOODLAND VEGETATION IN THE SHARALUMBI ESTATE THAT IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN

SCREENING EVEN LARGE OBJECTS FROM VIEW 8

FIGURE 5 – HIGHLY NATURAL, SCENIC LANDSCAPE IN THE THABA THOLO WILDERNESS RESERVE

FIGURE 6 – SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STUDY AREA 13

FIGURE 7 – RECEPTOR LOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STUDY AREA 14

FIGURE 8 – RECEPTOR LOCATIONS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STUDY AREA 15

FIGURE 9 – SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STUDY AREA 16

FIGURE 10 - DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATING DIMINISHING VISUAL EXPOSURE OVER DISTANCE 17

FIGURE 11 – HOUSEHOLDS IN THE KUDU RANCH NATURE RESERVE THAT ARE VISUALLY EXPOSED, AND PARTIALLY VISUALLY

EXPOSED TO THE EXISTING POWER LINE SERVITUDE; NOTE THE SCREENING EFFECT OF VEGETATION AT CERTAIN OF

THESE 19

FIGURE 12 – LATTICE TOWER OF THE EXISTING 132KV LINE IN THE KUDU RANCH RESERVE 22

FIGURE 13 – DEGREE OF SCREENING OF SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS BY VEGETATION AND TOPOGRAPHY – NORTHERN

PART OF STUDY AREA 23

FIGURE 14 - DEGREE OF SCREENING OF SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS BY VEGETATION AND TOPOGRAPHY – MIDDLE


FIGURE 15 - DEGREE OF SCREENING OF SENSITIVE RECEPTOR LOCATIONS BY VEGETATION AND TOPOGRAPHY – SOUTHERN


FIGURE 16 – EXISTING POWER LINE SPANNING A DEEP VALLEY IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE KUDU RANCH PROPERTY

Glossary of Terms

Anthropogenic Human related, as opposed to natural

Band (banding) In a visual assessment context a band is a contrasting linear form with two roughly parallel edges dividing an area in two.

Biome A biological division that represents the ecological character of vegetation, being the largest geographical biotic community that is convenient to delineate. The two biomes in the study area are the grassland biome and the savannah biome.

Butt Edge In a visual context this is the simple sharp edge between two contrasting areas.

Dimensional Mass The volume of a landform, natural object, or manmade structure in the landscape.

Dimensional Shape The presence of an area or areas which contrast in colour and/or texture from adjacent areas creating a two-dimensional shape in the landscape.

Petroglyph Rock engravings of prehistoric nature created by y removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, and abrading

Riparian Pertaining to a river bank; in many settings riparian zones / corridors are characterised by the presence of vegetation that is characterised by a different structure (typically larger trees and denser vegetation) and species composition to the surrounding vegetation

Sense of Place “Sense of Place” is usually is defined as an overarching impression encompassing the

general ways in which people feel about places, senses it, and assign concepts and

values to it (Najafi, et al, 2011).

Understorey The lower strata of vegetation in a wooded environment, below the canopy and closer to the ground

Viewshed A viewshed is an area of land, water, or other environmental element that is visible to the human eye from a fixed vantage point

Visual Envelope = a viewshed

Wilderness An extensive area of land that has never been permanently occupied by humans or subjected to intensive use (e.g. cultivation or mining), and which exists in a natural or near-natural state.

Acronyms

Amsl – Above mean sea level

BA – Basic Assessment

Specialist Declaration

I, Paul da Cruz, declare that I –

• act as a specialist consultant in the field of visual impact assessment

• do not have and will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than remuneration for work performed in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010;

• have and will not have any vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding;

• have no, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity;

• undertake to disclose, to the competent authority, any material information that have or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2006; and

• will provide the competent authority with access to all information at my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not.

PAUL DA CRUZ

T01.JNB.000507 Page 2 Royal Haskoning DHV

1 INTRODUCTION

Eskom Holdings Soc Ltd. has appointed RHDHV to undertake a Basic Assessment (BA) Study for the proposed development of a 132kV distribution power line in the area between Mashishing (Lydenburg) and Steelpoort in Mpumalanga, a route that traverses both Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces.

Following concerns raised by a number of interested and affected parties regarding the potential visual impacts associated with the proposed power line, a visual impact study was commissioned as part of the BA studies being conducted for the proposed development. The study aims to identify how the proposed power line would affect the visual environment of the study area and how to mitigate potential visual impacts associated with it.

1.1 Aims of the Study

The aims of the study are to:

� Characterise the visual environment of the area in which the power line alternatives are proposed to run and to identify the degree of likely visual impact that would be exerted at receptor locations by the proposed development.

� Assess the nature and intensity of the visual impacts associated with the proposed power line

� Comparatively assess the three alignment alternatives provided for comparative assessment and recommend a preferred alignment from a visual perspective.

1.2 Assumptions and Limitations

It should be noted that the ‘experiencing’ of visual impacts is subjective and largely based on the perception of the viewer or receptor. The presence of a receptor in an area potentially affected by the proposed power line does not thus necessarily mean that a visual impact would be experienced.

It should be noted that access restrictions prevented access to certain of the properties within the study area that were proposed to be visited in order to collect data for the visual assessment. Telephonic and written requests to management and the legal representatives of the Lapolosa Wilderness Area (Enkosini Reserve) to access the reserve for the visual impact assessment were made, however at the time of the site assessment, no access permission had been granted and as such receptor locations on that property have been unable to be assessed in this report.

1.3 Project Technical Description

1.3.1 Site Location and Description

The Study Area stretches across the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, being located within the Lydenburg and Steelpoort districts. The proposed line runs northwards from the Lydenburg Substation just to the north of Mashishing (Lydenburg), crossing the Mpumalanga-Limpopo border and ending at the Merensky Substation just outside the town of Steelpoort. The area traversed by the proposed lines is predominantly rural in character, with the majority of it consisting of farming areas characterised by livestock rearing, as well as some areas of irrigated


cultivation, game farms and nature reserves. As such most of the area has thus retained a natural or rural character. The proposed power line corridor will commence at the existing Merensky substation to the existing Lydenburg substation. The proposed length is approximately 34-59km, depending on the alternative selected for development. The study area is indicated in the maps in the figure below.

Figure 1 – Study Area

1.3.2 Technical Details

In South Africa, thousands of kilometres of high voltage transmission lines (i.e. 765 kV, 400 kV or 220 kV transmission lines) transmit electricity generated at power stations to Eskom’s major substations. At these major substations, the voltage is reduced, and the electricity is distributed to smaller substations all over the country through sub-transmission lines (i.e. 132 kV, 88 kV or 66 kV lines). At the smaller substations the voltage is further reduced and the power is distributed to local users via numerous small power lines (i.e. 22 kV and 11 kV lines) referred to as reticulation lines. The power generated by Eskom can only be utilised from those points of supply, which transform the power into a usable voltage.

The proposed power line would be developed as a 132kV Sub-transmission line, and towers are proposed to be single mast suspension structures; the single mast suspension structure was developed as an alternative to self supporting structures available at 132kV voltage level. This configuration is designed to be highly flexible during broken conductor conditions, resulting in a very light structure, as illustrated below.


Figure 2 - 132 kV steel monopole structure

The towers would be 17-24m in height.

1.3.2.1 Servitude Requirements and Clearances

The servitude width for a 132 kV sub-transmission line is 32m (11m and 15.5m on either side of the centre line of the power line respectively). The minimum vertical clearance to buildings, poles and structures not forming part of the power line must be 3.8 m, while the minimum vertical clearance between the conductors and the ground is 6.7m.

The minimum distance of a 132 kV sub-transmission line running parallel to proclaimed public roads is 95m from the centre of the sub-transmission line servitude to the centre of the road servitude. The minimum distance between any part of a tree or shrub and any bare phase conductor of a 132 kV sub-transmission line must be 3.8m, allowing for the possible sideways movement and swing of both the sub-transmission line and the tree or shrub.

On receipt of an approval of the final corridor by the environmental authorities and after negotiations with landowners, the final definition of the centre line for the sub-transmission line and coordinates of each bend in the line will be determined. Optimal tower sizes and positions will be identified and verified using a ground survey (in terms of the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) requirements).


A minimum 8 m (4 m either side of the centre line of the power line) wide strip is to be cleared of all trees and for stringing purposes only. If any tree or shrub in other areas will interfere with the operation and/or reliability of the sub-transmission line it will be trimmed or completely cleared. The clearing of vegetation will take place, with the aid of a surveyor, along approved profiles and in accordance with the approved EMPr, and in accordance with the minimum standards to be used for vegetation clearing for the construction of the proposed new sub-transmission lines as listed in Table 1 (Eskom, 2000).

Table 1 - Minimum standards to be used for vegetation clearing for construction of a new sub-transmission line

Item Standard Follow up

Centre line of the proposed Sub-transmission line

Clear to a maximum (depending on tower type and voltage) of an 8 m wide strip of all vegetation along the centre line. Vegetation to be cut within 100 mm of the ground. Treat stumps with herbicide.

Re-growth shall be cut within 100 mm of the ground and treated with herbicide, as necessary.

Inaccessible valleys (trace line)

Clear a 1 m strip for access by foot only, for the pulling of a pilot wire by hand.

Vegetation not to be disturbed after initial clearing – vegetation to be allowed to re-grow.

Access / service roads Clear a maximum (depending on tower type) 5 m wide strip for vehicle access within the maximum 8 m width, including de-stumping/cutting stumps to ground level, treating with a herbicide and re-compaction of soil.

Re-growth to be cut at ground level and treated with herbicide as necessary.

Proposed tower position and proposed support / stay wire position

Clear all vegetation within proposed tower position and within a maximum (depending on tower type) radius of 5 m around the position, including de-stumping / cutting stumps to ground level, treating with an herbicide and re-compaction of soil. Allow controlled agricultural practices, where feasible.

Re-growth to be cut at ground level and treated with herbicide as necessary.

Indigenous vegetation within servitude area (outside of maximum 8 m strip)

Area outside of the maximum 8 m strip and within the servitude area, selective trimming or cutting down of those identified plants posing a threat to the integrity of the proposed Sub-transmission line.

Selective trimming

Once the centre line has been cleared, the surveyor pegs every tower position and marks the crossing point with existing fences for new gate installation. Once the tower positions have been marked, the vegetation clearing team will return to every tower position and clear vegetation (in accordance with the EMPr) for assembling and erection purposes.

1.3.2.2 Access

Approximately 60% of each of the proposed corridor alternatives are situated along existing access routes, and therefore access to the sites are readily available.

A vehicle access road is usually required to be established to allow access along the entire length of the servitude. Access is required during both the construction and operation / maintenance phases of the Sub-transmission line life cycle. Areas without access points and roads will be negotiated with landowners, and are to be established during the construction phase. The access roads will be considered for the various alternative routes being evaluated for the proposed project.


Should a new access road be required to be constructed for the final route, it will need to be negotiated with the individual landowner/s concerned.

2 STUDY AREA VISUAL ENVIRONMENT

The study area visual environment is assessed below in order to provide an understanding of the visual environment in which the power line is proposed to be developed.

2.1 Landscape Structural Components, Topography, Visual Character, and VAC

Topographically the study area is varied, with mountainous areas providing a strong element of relief in most areas traversed by the power line routes. The study area is located close to north-eastern extension of the Great Escarpment in South Africa that separates the interior plateau from the lower-lying Lowveld and the Indian Ocean coastal plain to the east, and as such is very mountainous. The study area is characterised by a series of tall north-south aligned ridges and associated enclosed valleys. From a macro-geomorphological perspective, the incised terrain of valleys surrounded by hills reflects landscape-level erosional processes that have resulted in faster erosion of the softer shales, with the harder quartzites forming the ridges. Three such longitudinal valleys are present within the wider study area – the Steelpoort River Valley in the west (in which the Merensky Substation is located), the Watervals River Valley through which Alternative 3 is aligned, and the Spekboom River valley lying just east of the ridge along which Alternative 1 is aligned. These valleys are enclosed on both sides by ridges, which on the western side of the Watervals valley form high cliffs which are visually prominent. A majority of the area of the alternative routes is thus characterised by steeply sloping, incised terrain. Flat ground is found in limited parts of the study area – within the above mentioned valley bottoms, as well as in another enclosed valley linking the Watervals and Steelpoort valleys (long which the D737 road and the northern parts of Alternative 2 are aligned) and in the area to the north of Mashishing. The town of Mashishing is located a much flatter plain or open valley bottom located to the west of the ridges associated with the Great Escarpment (lying between Lydenburg and Sabie as traversed by the Long Tom Pass). The Lydenburg Substation is located in this flatter terrain.


Figure 3 – Buffelsvley Guest Farm situated in the Watervals River valley encircled by mountains

The nature of the topography has implications for views and the extent of the surrounding landscape that can be viewed: due to the enclosed nature of the valleys, viewers / viewing locations within those valleys will be exposed to a view that is limited to the valley. Objects placed in positions of relative elevation will be prominent, and if the viewer is located on a higher point (e.g. on a ridge line), the view to which they would be exposed would be more extensive than if they were located within the valley. Topography thus performs a very important role in determining the extent of the view available in the study area, and in some cases large objects can be completely screened from view by topography at a nearby location, in spite of the relative proximity of the object and the viewing location.

The study area is rural in nature, and rural landuses largely predominate with the exception of the Steelpoort valley in which mining occurs, and in the vicinity of the town of Lydenburg where urban areas occur. The nature of the mountainous topography (and as a result, very shallow, rocky soils) prohibits the practising of cultivation over much of the study area, and as such livestock raising or game farming occurs as the predominant rural landuse. This has allowed the natural vegetation to be retained over large parts of the study area. Cultivation only occurs in spatially limited areas, but is intensive where it occurs – mainly in the valley bottom of the Watervals River valley where irrigated cultivation of certain crop types and citrus orchards occur. An important component of the landuse in the study area is conservation, and three relatively large protected areas occur in the study area – the Kudu Ranch Private Nature Reserve, Thaba Tholo Wilderness Area and the Enkosini / Lapolosa Wilderness area. In such areas conservation landuse has allowed the natural vegetation to be retained and there is limited (low density) or no development apart from the creation of ecotourism facilities.

Vegetation cover is intrinsically related to land use as described above; the study area is located in a transition area between the grassland and savannah biomes and as such the natural vegetation varies between wooded


grasslands (or alternatively classified as very open, grassy woodland) that occur in the higher altitudes (e.g. ridge tops) and denser woodland and even thicket on the slopes and in the valley bottoms. Vegetation, especially taller woodland vegetation, can play an effective role in screening objects.

Figure 4 – Dense riparian woodland vegetation in the Sharalumbi Estate that is highly effective in screening even large objects from view

2.2 Visual Character of the Study Area

The above physical and land use-related characteristics of the Study Area contribute to its visual character. Visual character is also influenced by the presence of built infrastructure such as buildings, roads and other objects such as electricity infrastructure. Visual character can be defined based on the level of change or transformation from a completely natural setting which would represent a natural baseline in which there is little evidence of human transformation of the landscape. Varying degrees of human transformation of a landscape would engender differing visual characteristics to that landscape, with a highly modified urban or industrial landscape being at the opposite end of the scale to a largely natural undisturbed landscape.

As described above the wider study area is largely rural in nature, and the mountainous terrain of the study area has limited for the transformative capacity of rural (agricultural) landuses, thus large parts of the study area have retained a natural visual character. Only in spatially limited areas do agricultural or other landuse engender a different visual character – i.e. in the Watervals River valley where intensive irrigation and orchards have partially altered the visual character of the valley, the northern-most extent of the line where mining and urban infrastructure around Steelpoort is prominent, and in the area to the south of the Lydenburg Substation where the presence of smallholdings and electricity infrastructure has altered the visual baseline. The study area thus displays a largely natural area with small areas that display a stronger rural aspect to the visual character.


2.3 Visual Absorption Capacity (VAC)

Visual absorption capacity (VAC) is an important factor relating to the visual character of the area and relating to the potential visual impact resulting from a new development. The visual absorption capacity of an area / landscape refers to ability of that area / landscape to absorb development without noticeable intrusion or change to the visual character of the area. Visual absorption capacity can be measured on a scale from high (an area which has a high capacity to absorb new development) to low (an area in which a new development would be highly visible and would alter the visual character of the area). Visual absorption capacity is a function of a number of factors including topography (including slope and aspect) and the nature of landuse and land cover (such as vegetation cover and height), and most importantly the degree of human-induced transformation of the area). Urbanised or industrial areas typically have a high visual absorption capacity in the context of the type of development that is proposed, especially where industrial-type structures already occur. Conversely highly natural or rural areas with a low human footprint would have a very low VAC for the development of a large structural component.

As described above, the wider study area is mostly highly natural in character, with limited existing anthropogenic influence in the landscape. There are relatively few power lines and other large structures – an existing distribution line runs between the Lydenburg and Merensky Substations ( along which Alternative 1 is aligned), but it is interesting to note that large section of this power line traverse mountainous areas away from general public access. Along with some smaller reticulation power lines that occur in the Watervals River valley and some mining infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the Merensky Substation at Steelpoort there is generally an absence of large-scale and prominent human infrastructure in the areas traversed by the power line alternatives. This factor and the largely natural character of most of the study area imbue the study area with a low visual absorption capacity. It should be noted that where existing infrastructure does exist, the VAC would be slightly higher, e.g. along the existing 132kV power line. The overall low VAC of the study area is an indication that the development of a large, visually-prominent structure such as a power line could be associated with a high degree of visual intrusion in terms of the landscape context.

Although visual absorption capacity has a strong bearing on the visual sensitivity of an area as discussed below, the presence of sensitive receptors of visual impact and the potential perception of a new power line development as a visual intrusion is not necessarily dependent on a landscape / area having a low VAC.

2.4 Visual Sensitivity

Visual Sensitivity is an important factor in gauging whether a new development would be perceived to be an impact or not. Visual sensitivity can be defined as the degree to which anthropogenic change within a landscape would be perceived negatively by the people that inhabit or frequent that area. The degree of visual sensitivity of an area is closely related to the aesthetic quality of the area, as well as to the value placed in the aesthetic quality of the landscape.

It is important to note that the presence of natural / perceived natural and rural elements or areas within the landscape as viewed from the surrounds of the site can engender perceptions of aesthetic quality or value to the landscape. Many studies of landscape conservation have highlighted the value placed by people in rural or natural landscapes. In this context it is worthwhile to briefly explore how landscape, and particularly natural and rural landscapes, are valued in order to contextualise and understand responses to the proposed development that stress the potential impact of the proposed development on the surrounding landscape and views of it.

A rural landscape can be defined as an where an interaction between humans and nature over time has led to the development of a landscape that has its own characteristics, and which is a middle ground between an urban landscape and wilderness, consisting of human activities that are related to the natural environment, such as


agriculture and pastoral activities (Mazehan et al, 2013). A natural landscape, as defined in this report is close in appearance to how the landscape would appear without human alteration – i.e. mimicking or closely resembling that of a wilderness.

Placing value in a landscape is a psychological and cultural practice; values and meanings are not intrinsic to the landscape, but rather they are phenomena created by humans through their cultural practices (Pun, 2004). It is thus important to note that perceptions of landscape may not be universally shared and different individuals or groups of people may perceive or treat the same landscape differently, in turn ascribing different values and meanings to it (Pun, 2004). Values and meanings ascribed by local people may not be evident to an outsider. Indeed, differing values may be in competition among themselves (Pun, 2004).

There are different types of values that can be placed on a landscape; i.e. economic values (e.g. the relevancy of the landscape for business enterprises, or the market possibility of products from landscape), amenity values (values related to the non-material benefits associated with it) and security values (Pun, 2004). Amenity values can be subdivided into different sub-categories; “intrinsic” ecological value, scientific and educational value, aesthetical and recreational value, and orientational and identity value. Landscapes and the viewing of landscapes has also been shown to have positive psychological and health benefits; Velarde et al (2007), have shown through an examination of various environmental psychology studies that visual exposure to natural landscapes (e.g. by means of viewing natural landscapes during a walk, or viewing from a window) generally has a beneficial impact on human health (e.g. reduced stress, facilitating recovery from illness, and behavioural changes that improve mood and general well-being). Landscape as a source of beauty is prevalent within the arts and is strong draw card for recreational activities. In addition, landscape is an element in the ability of people to orient themselves, and is strongly related to people’s cultural identity and sense of place. It is in this context that value is placed in natural or rural landscapes, and it follows that such value would be placed on views in an area such as the study area which is largely natural, and which has high aesthetic value by virtue of its scenic nature.

Figure 5 – Highly natural, scenic landscape in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve


The above values can be interlinked, but can also be conflicting, e.g. amenity values associated with a landscape held by a certain group of people as described above may conflict with economic values associated with the market or development possibility of the landscape that are held by others. It is in this context that visual impact associated with a potential development often arises as an issue in environmental impact assessments.

The latter three sub-categories of amenity value described above – aesthetic, identity and psychological health value are typically involved in the perception of visual impact and constitute the elements of the ‘visual sensitivity’ associated with that landscape, as development within a landscape can change the landscape to the degree to which the amenity value associated with a landscape is considered to be degraded or no present.

In the context of the present study, the responses of certain Interested and Affected Parties to the initial public participation process being undertaken for the BA studies indicate that there are individuals across the study area who place value in the natural landscape elements that are present within the study area. These values are predominantly amenity values, but have an economic element in that commercial ecotourism activities are practiced in certain parts of the study area. The amenity values appear to be based to a significant degree on the aesthetic quality of the landscape; the study area is particularly mountainous and scenic quality or visual quality of a landscape typically increases with greater relief, as well as with increasing complexity of visual elements; as stated by Porteous, (1996), the greater the topographical variation, the greater the scenic quality (see also the references quoted in Wu et al, 2006). The natural characteristics of the landscapes in the wider study area and the aesthetic quality has allowed the relatively recent development of ecotourism as an important landuse in the area, and the development of low density ‘eco-estates’ in certain localities within the area. Although the study area is not located within the traditional and longer-established ecotourism nodes nearby such as the Mpumalanga Lowveld and escarpment (Panorama route) or the Mpumalanga Highlands (Dullstroom area), the study area is increasingly being marketed as an area for ecotourism, with landuse on a number of properties changing to reflect such activities.

It is in this context of the existence of amenity and economic values associated with landscapes within the study area that the visual sensitivity of the study area can be defined. The feedback expressed by a number of property owners indicates that value is placed in the natural elements of the landscape, indicating a sensitivity to change within the landscape that may be caused by a development such as a power line (as proposed). This can be termed as visual sensitivity associated with the study area. This degree of visual sensitivity may not be universally shared by all inhabitants; nonetheless this aspect of the visual sensitivity of the area needs to be taken into account in this visual impact assessment study.

2.5 Location of Visual Receptors and Key Observation Locations

Visual Impact is related to the presence of human receptors / viewers, thus visual impact is typically experienced from locations inhabited by humans. Accordingly an understanding of the areas inhabited / occupied by humans (even transiently) is important in the classification of potential visual impacts. Sites of human habitation (e.g. residential areas, farmsteads and homesteads) typically make up the bulk of the receptor locations within an area. However lodges and other accommodation facilities, as well as recreational sites are other static locations that are typically considered receptor locations. However not only ‘static’ locations can be termed as receptor areas; areas or routes of human movement such as roads can also be considered to be receptor locations, as well as wider areas in which certain activities that would be considered visually sensitive are practiced. This could include areas where tourism activities such as hiking trails or 4X4 routes, or hunting are practiced.

Due to the size of the area traversed by the three power line alternatives there are a number of receptor locations. From these receptor locations a number of sensitive receptor locations can be identified. These locations are those where viewers are most likely to perceive a visual impact due to the nature of landuse practiced or activities practiced at that location. The receptor types included as key observations include (inter alia) game lodges and


other ecotourism facilities, homesteads within eco-estates, farmsteads as well as view points or scenic picnic sites. It should be noted that only receptor locations within 5km of each of the alternatives have been included as sensitive receptor locations. The table below lists the sensitive receptor locations within the study area

1.

Table 2 Sensitive Receptor Locations in the Study Area

Receptor Name Type Closest Line Alternative

Olifantspoortjie Lodge Accommodation Facility Alternative 2

Lapeng Lodge Accommodation Facility Alternative 1

Buffelvley Guest Farm Accommodation Facility Alternative 3

Buffelsvlei Farm - River Cottage Private Accommodation Facility Alternative 3

Ithaba Falls Guest Farm Accommodation Facility Alternative 3

Valencia Lodge Accommodation Facility Alternative 3

Sharalumbi Estate - Phase One Housing Units

Private Homestead Alternative 3

Sharalumbi Estate - Phase Two Housing Unit


Sharalumbi Farmstead Private Homestead Alternative 3

Thaba Tholo Stakeholders Lodge Private Homestead Alternative 3

Thaba Tholo Game Drive Lookout Point (Dam)

Lookout Point / Sundowner Location Alternative 3

Thaba Tholo - Blesbok Ridge Viewpoint (North)


Thaba Tholo - Blesbok Ridge Viewpoint (South)


Thaba Tholo Game Drive Eastern Lookout Point Lookout Point / Sundowner Location Alternative 3

Black Leopard Camp Accommodation Facility Alternative 3

Kudu Ranch Residential Homesteads


Spekboom River Lodge Accommodation Facility Alternative 1

Kudu Ranch Lydenburg Waterfall Lookout Lookout Point Alternative 1

Lydenburg Waterfall Lookout Point Lookout Point Alternative 1

Oppiberg Restaurant Restaurant Alternative 1

1 It should be noted that the receptor locations within the Lapalosa Wilderness Reserve have not been included as no

information pertaining to lodges and other sensitive receptor locations in the reserve has been able to be acquired at the

time of writing.


Figure 6 – Sensitive Receptor Locations in the northern part of the Study Area


Figure 7 – Receptor locations in the western part of the study area


Figure 8 – Receptor locations in the Eastern part of the Study Area


Figure 9 – Sensitive Receptor locations in the southern part of the Study Area


3 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

3.1 Generic aspects of visual impacts associated with developments and structures

Before exploring the site-specific impacts associated with the proposed development, it is necessary to explore some generic aspects of visual impact as associated with new developments such as the proposed housing development.

• Size and footprint of an object/ development

Size of a new object / series of objects placed into a landscape are an important determinant in terms of visibility. The larger a structural feature, the more it is likely to be visible. Spatial footprint is also an important factor, as the larger the spatial footprint of a development, the more it will be likely to occupy a large portion of a landscape, thus having a greater potential to alter the visual character of the landscape.

• Viewing distance

The distance of the viewer / receptor location away from an object is the most important factor in the context of the experiencing of visual impacts. Beyond a certain distance, even large structural features tend to be much less visible, and are difficult to differentiate from the surrounding landscape. The visibility of an object is likely to decrease exponentially with increasing distance away from the object, with maximum impact being exerted on receptors at a distance of 500m or less. The impact decreases exponentially as one moves away from the source of impact, with the impact at 1000m being a quarter of the impact at 500m away (see the figure below). At 5000m away or more, the impact would be negligible.

Figure 10 - Diagram Illustrating Diminishing Visual Exposure over Distance

• Presence of receptors

It is important to note that visual impacts are only experienced when there are receptors present to experience the impact; thus in a context where there are no human receptors or viewers present there are not likely to be any visual impacts experienced.

• Viewer perception


As described above, value can be placed in a landscape in terms of its aesthetic quality, or in terms of its sense of identity or sense of place with which it is associated. If no such values are held with respect to a landscape, there is less likely to a perception of visual impact if the landscape is visually altered. On the opposite side of the scale, development within a landscape may not be perceived negatively at all if the development is associated with progress or upliftment of the human condition. The perception of visual impacts is thus highly subjective and thus involves ‘value judgements’ on behalf of the receptor. The context of the landscape character, the scenic / aesthetic value of an area, and the types of land use practiced tend to affect the perception of whether new developments are considered to be an unwelcome intrusion into that landscape. Sensitivity to visual impacts is typically most pronounced in areas set aside for the conservation of the natural environment (such as protected natural areas or conservancies), or in areas in which the natural character or scenic beauty of the area acts as a draw card for visitors (tourists) to visit an area, and accordingly where amenity and utilitarian ecological values are associated with the landscape.

When landscapes have a highly natural or scenic character, amenity values are typically associated with such a landscape. Structural features such as high voltage power lines are not a feature of the natural environment, but are rather representative of human (anthropogenic) change to a landscape. Thus when placed in a largely natural landscape, such structural features can be perceived to be highly incongruous in the context of the setting, especially if they affect or change the visual quality of a landscape. It is in this context of incongruity with a natural setting that new developments are often perceived to be a source of visual impact.

.

• Landform (topographical) and micro-topographical context

The landform context of the environment in which the object is placed is an important factor. The location of the feature within the landform setting – i.e. in a valley bottom or on a ridge top is important in determining the relative visibility of the feature. In the latter case, the feature would be much more visible and would ‘break’ the horizon, if a viewer was located ‘inferior’ to the object in the topographical context. Similarly the landform context in which the viewer is located is important in that topography can inherently block views towards an object if the viewer is located in a setting such as a steep-sided valley or on an aspect facing away from the object. The morphological character of a slope is important in determining visibility of objects from other parts of the slope; typically where a slope is concave topography does not screen objects from view, but convex slopes reduce the visibility of the objects on the same slope.

The micro-topography within the landscape setting in which the viewer and object are located is also important; the presence of micro-topographical features and objects such as buildings or vegetation that would screen views from a receptor position to an object can remove any visual impact factor associated with it.

• Landscape development context

The presence / existence of other anthropogenic objects associated with the built environment may influence the perception of whether a new development is associated with a visual impact. Where buildings and other infrastructure exists, the visual environment could be considered to be already altered from a natural context and thus the introduction of a feature into this setting may be considered to be less of a visual impact than if there was no existing built infrastructure visible.

• Receptor type and nature of the view

Visual impacts can be experienced by different types of receptors, such as people driving along roads, or people living / working in the area in which the structural feature is visible. The receptor type in turn affects the nature of the typical ‘view’ of a potential source of visual impact, with views being permanent in the case of a residence or other place of human habitation, or transient in the case of vehicles moving along a road. The nature of the view experienced affects the intensity of the visual impact experienced.

• Weather and visibility

Meteorological factors, such as weather conditions (presence of haze, or heavy mist) which would affect visibility can impact the nature and intensity of a potential visual impact associated with a structural feature.


3.2 Selection of Key Observation Points and Zones of Visual Exposure

Certain of the above sensitive receptor locations will not be visually exposed to any of the power line alternatives. This is important in the determination of visual impacts as those receptors not exposed to the lines will not be subject to any visual impact at the particular location. The table below lists the sensitive receptor locations in the area and details the likely level of visual exposure to the proposed power line alternatives. The assessment of visual exposure (likely visibility of the lines) has been based on field assessment as well as analysis using Google Earth. The maps below indicate the spatial distribution of degrees of screening of sensitive receptor locations relative to the proposed alignments.

Figure 11 – Households in the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve that are visually exposed, and partially visually exposed to the existing power line servitude; note the screening effect of vegetation at certain of these


Table 3 – Degree of Visibility of nearest line alternative from sensitive receptor locations

Receptor Name

Distance of closest point of line to receptor location

Level of visibility of closest line alternative

Factors affecting visual exposure

Olifantspoortjie Lodge

170m Line partly visible from receptor location

Trees surrounding receptor location partially obscure views

Lapeng Lodge 635m Line partly visible from receptor location

Natural bushveld vegetation would screen lines to a large degree; however the lines would be partly visible down a cleared (existing) reticulation power line servitude

Buffelvley Guest Farm

170m Line fully visible from receptor location

Vegetation (orchards) may obscure the lower parts of the towers; otherwise the towers would not be obscured as the receptor location is in an elevated location on a valley side on a concave slope

Buffelsvlei Farm - River Cottage

70m Line only partially visible from receptor location

Dense riparian bush, including thickets and tall trees would largely screen the line from view, although removal of vegetation within the servitude may counteract this screening effect of vegetation

Sharalumbi Estate - Phase One Housing Units

0m

(0m-215m)

Lines would be highly visible at receptor locations where the lines are in close proximity, and partially to not visible at other receptor locations.

The dense and often tall natural riparian and bushveld vegetation would be effective in shielding the lines from receptor locations not located immediately adjacent to the proposed line

Sharalumbi Estate - Phase Two Housing Units

550m Line partially visible from receptor location

The dense and often tall natural riparian located on the western side of the proposed servitude would be effective in shielding the lines from receptor locations in phase 2, in spite of their elevation in relation to the lines. The top of the towers may be visible from this location.

Sharalumbi Farmstead

235m Line partly visible from receptor location

Trees surrounding receptor location partially obscure views

Ithaba Falls Guest Farm


Vegetation surrounding the receptor location would partially screen the lines from view

Valencia Lodge


Vegetation surrounding the receptor location would largely screen the lines from view

Thaba Tholo Stakeholders’ House


Receptor location in an open grassland setting with lines on the opposite side of the same enclosed valley would make the lines highly visible

Thaba Tholo Game Drive Lookout Point (Dam)

2,300m Line partially visible from receptor location

The line would be largely shielded by topography, and only a small portion of the line would be visible over the ridge on the western horizon

Thaba Tholo - Blesbok Ridge

450m Line fully visible from receptor Receptor location is in an open grassland setting with lines located relatively close


Receptor Name




Viewpoint (North)

location on similar high ground, thus making the lines highly visible

Thaba Tholo - Blesbok Ridge Viewpoint (South)


Receptor location is in an open grassland setting with lines located relatively close on the same ridge, thus making the lines highly visible

Thaba Tholo Game Drive Eastern Lookout Point

480m Line would be fully visible from receptor location The line would be fully visible as it would

run close to the peak of a high point to the south-east in an open grassland setting.

Black Leopard Camp

0m2 Line would be fully visible from

receptor location The line would span the deep valley in which the lodge is located. The lines would thus be visible directly above the receptor location. As a tower would likely be placed on the edge of the western ridge (visible from the lodge), this tower would be fully visible from the receptor location. Topography would however block more than one span of the power line.

Kudu Ranch Residential Homesteads

130m

(130m – 2,620m)

The lines would be partially visible from the closest receptor locations, although intervening bushveld vegetation would largely screen a large portion (the lower parts) of the towers from view.

From many of the receptor locations, intervening topography (a low ridge and convex valley side) would completely screen the line from view

Natural bushveld vegetation in the nature reserve is effective in screening much of the (existing) power line from view, even for the closest receptor locations.

Topography is a significant factor that would prevent a majority of the receptor locations from viewing the (existing and proposed) power line at all. Most of the houses are located on the eastern-facing slopes of the Spekboom River valley, with a low ridge or the convex valley side located in the intervening area between the houses and the line.

Spekboom River Lodge

2,670m

The line would not be visible.

The location of the lodge within the Spekboom Valley Bottom entails that it the intervening valley side (ridge) completely screens the existing and proposed line from view.

Kudu Ranch Lydenburg Waterfall Lookout

1,890m

The line would not be visible.

The location of the viewpoint within the Spekboom Valley Bottom entails that the intervening valley side completely screens the existing and proposed line from view.

2 - The proposed alignment would be aligned immediately above the Black Leopard Camp, as they are proposed to span a

valley in which the lodge is located, thus the horizontal distance between the lines and the lodge is 0m. However the Black

Leopard Camp is located in a deeply incised valley and the vertical distance between the lines and the lodge would be much

greater


Receptor Name




Lydenburg Waterfall Lookout Point

2,640m Line would be partially visible from receptor location

Although very distant (Alternative 1) lines would be visible near the crest of the ridge to the west, although only effectively ‘breaking the horizon’ along part of the stretch that is visible.

Oppiberg Restaurant

2,400m Line would be partially visible from receptor location

Trees and bushveld vegetation in front of the receptor location would partly screen the view into the valley in which the (existing) lines are located. They would be partly visible, but at a significant distance.

Figure 12 – Lattice tower of the existing 132kV line in the Kudu Ranch Reserve


Figure 13 – Degree of screening of sensitive receptor locations by vegetation and topography – northern part of study area


Figure 14 - Degree of screening of sensitive receptor locations by vegetation and topography – middle part of study area


Figure 15 - Degree of screening of sensitive receptor locations by vegetation and topography – southern part of study area


3.2.1 Implications for Development

The above table indicates that a number of receptor locations, although located within a spatial zone of visual influence from the nearest proposed line alternative, would not be exposed to views of the lines either due to the screening effects of intervening topography, or to vegetation (either located around the receptor location itself or in the intervening area). This means that a number of receptor locations would not be subject to visual impacts. This is important in the context of certain of the receptor locations – e.g. the households at the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve (Estate); most of these households would not be exposed to views of the proposed line (and existing line) running to the west through the reserve property due to the nature of the topography that entails that most of the houses are located on an eastern-facing aspect and terrain sloping down (away from) the power line. It should be noted however that certain parts of the other properties on which receptor locations are located may nonetheless be exposed to views of the proposed power line. This is significant in the context of the numerous nature reserves and other properties on which eco-tourism-related activities are conducted on the properties, with visually-sensitive areas not only being restricted to static receptor locations.

3.3 Visual Contrast Rating – Key Observation Locations

In order to better understand the visual impacts associated with the proposed power line on receptor locations in the surrounding areas, a visual contrast assessment has been undertaken. This is done in order to quantify the degree of visual contrast or change that would be caused by the proposed ash disposal facility at certain key observation locations. Assessing the degree of visual change at key observation points will allow a judgement of the degree of ‘acceptability’ of the visual change to be made, and to suggest further mitigation measures.

In order to allow the effect of the visual contrast at the key observation locations within the study area to be assessed, the visual baseline of the landscape at these locations needs to be established. As prescribed by the US Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management’s Visual Resource Management Methodology, it is important to describe the visual baseline of the landscape at each key receptor location in order to allow the objective assessment of the degree of change in visual contrast that would result from the proposed facility. This study has used a methodology to establish the degree of visual contrast that is largely based upon the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) visual contrast rating methodology. This methodology prescribes that a number of basic structural elements of different physical components of the landscape at a key observation location be assessed. These basic elements include:

• Form

• Line

• Colour

• Texture

According to the methodology the landscape is divided into three components of which landscapes are typically comprised:

� Land form (Topographic units)

� Vegetation (including natural vegetation and planted vegetative features such as fields)

� Human Structures (e.g. buildings, power lines, etc.).


A table indicating the structural elements of different physical components of the landscape that can be individually described to allow an accurate understanding of the visual baseline at each key observation location is presented to give an indication of the visual landscape baseline. This is followed by a table which assesses these components of the landscape under a scenario where the power line has been developed. The degree of visual change / visual contrast that will be created is thus able to be examined. The visual contrast rating methodology requires that a landscape be assigned a tolerance level relating to the degree of acceptable visual change of that landscape (named visual resource management classes in the BLM methodology). This assessment follows the comparative tables. The tolerance levels applicable to the study area are examined below.

The following list of sensitive receptor locations has been selected for assessment using the visual contrast rating methodology in order to determine the degree of visual exposure to which these receptor locations would be exposed. These key observation locations have been selected based on whether the lines would be visible from the location (see above section), and receptor locations were selected that were representative of a number of similar receptor locations. The Key Observation Locations are:

� Buffelsvley Guest Farm

� Sharalumbi Phase 1 - northern household

� Black Leopard Camp

� Thaba Tholo Stakeholder’s House

� North-western households – Kudu Ranch

� South-western households – Kudu Ranch

3.3.1 Tolerance Levels relating to degree of acceptable change

As described above, the study area has a largely natural visual character, with only limited parts displaying a slightly different rural character. In the parts of the study area that have retained their natural characteristics, the nature of certain types of land use practiced and the likely value placed in the natural characteristics of such a landscape entail that emphasis would thus likely to be on preserving the natural character of the landscape, in which human objects have spatially limited and non-intensive visual characteristics and prominence. Accordingly, the associated objective would be to create as little visual change and contrast to the landscape as possible, by limiting the degree of visual intrusion caused by a development such as the proposed power line. Put in another way, the objective would be to only allow development that did not degrade the visual context.

However it should be noted that there are parts of the study area in which a large-scale power line (i.e. a 132kv line) already exists, and which forms part of the visual baseline. The proposed power line would run alongside the existing power line along Alternative 1, and in the area between where Alternative 1 ends and the Merensky Substation, along Alternative 3 and Alternative 2. In these areas with a slightly altered visual baseline, the tolerance level for further development and visual change of the landscape could be higher due to the existing presence of a power line which is a visually dominant part of the existing landscape. However responses from certain Interested and Affected Parties indicate opposition to a second power line running alongside the existing one. However the presence of an existing power line is significant in a visual context, and needs to be taken into account in the assigning of a visual tolerance level for areas from which the existing power line is visible. Accordingly the following visual objectives, and thus tolerance levels have been identified for the differing areas of visual character:


Table 4 - Visual Change Objective and Tolerance level for the study area

Landscape Context Visual Change Objective Tolerance Level

Natural / largely natural environment – largely natural landscapes with little to no human infrastructure present

Maintain the natural character as far as possible and limit intrusion of large-scale human structural features

No, to weak degree of change in visual contrast permitted

Visual baseline in which the existing 132kV power line is clearly visible

Allow developments similar in visual character to existing infrastructure, clustering infrastructure where possible

Weak to moderate change, or no change in visual contrast (from the existing visual baseline) permitted.

The above visual change objectives are a very important component of the visual contrast assessment, as undertaken below, and the tolerance levels allow a judgment to be made of whether the degree of visual contrast created by the proposed development (and thus the likely degree intrusion of the development) is acceptable in terms of its visual setting.


3.3.2 Visual Contrast Rating at Key Observation Locations

3.3.2.1 Buffelsvley Guest Farm

Visual / Landscape Context: Natural / partly Rural Visual character (no anthropogenic alteration of the landscape visible except for the presence of citrus orchards in the foreground)

Closest Line Alternative: Alternative 3

Direction of view towards the proposed power line: Full westward arc of view


� Pre-Construction (Current Visual Baseline)

Landform Vegetation Structures

Form High mountains (escarpment) that stretch across the entire western horizon, with the presence of prominent vertical cliffs dominate form in the landscape. The escarpment provides the greatest dimensional mass – the bulk of the mountains frames the visual envelope of the valley.

The bulk of the escarpment landform is relatively simple, but spurs and the presence of valley to the north-west increase the complexity of form in the landscape.

Due to the bulk and vertical dominance of the escarpment, and due to the distance factor, vegetation does not affect form in a significant manner.

However the uniformity of the orchards in the near ground helps to emphasise the distinction between the near ground valley floor, the riparian corridor of the Watervals River and the much steeper slopes beyond the river.

The bold distinction between the cliffs and underlying slopes is emphasised by the absence of bushveld vegetation on the cliffs.

No structural effect on form

Line The lines of the escarpment (mountains) to the west are the most prominent aspect of line within the landscape. Line orientation is horizontal (top of the cliffs) that form the horizon, as well as angular (slope elements). The vertical line elements in the cliffs are highly prominent.

Difference in vegetation between the slopes and the cliffs accentuates the cliffs as a prominent feature in the landscape.

The trunks of the stand of tall poplar trees along the river provide a strong vertical line element in the foreground.

The strip of riparian vegetation provides a band effect separating the valley bottom from the steeper slopes behind


Colour Colour based on vegetation (refer to column to right) - the colour of the slopes (brown to green – varying seasonally) is distinct from the yellow colouration of the cliffs.

Brown-yellow-green colours of the escarpment provide a strong contrast with the blue of the sky

A range of greens are present in the landscape. The bright green of the foreground orchards provides a year-round green colour feature on the valley bottom. The darker green hues of the large riparian trees provide a strong contrast with the orchards and slopes behind, accentuated by bright purple of Jacaranda trees in the spring. The riparian vegetation provides a strong natural focal point due to this colour distinction.

The hillside woodland varies seasonally from browns in the winter to greener hues in the summer

No structural effect on colour

Texture Texture is based on vegetation (refer to column to right).

The evenly-spaced, ordered texture of rows of orange trees provides a strong contrast to the band of riparian vegetation and the more uneven, random, coarse-grained texture of natural vegetation on the hillside above it.

No structural textural effect


� Post Construction (Landscape Context if power lines are developed)


Form High mountains (escarpment) that stretch across the entire western horizon, with the presence of prominent vertical cliffs dominate form in the landscape. The escarpment provides the greatest dimensional mass – the bulk of the mountains frames the visual envelope of the valley.

The bulk of the escarpment landform is relatively simple, but spurs and the presence of valley to the north-west increase the complexity of form in the landscape.

Due to the bulk and vertical dominance of the escarpment, and due to the distance factor, vegetation does not affect form in a significant manner.

However the uniformity of the orchards in the near ground helps to emphasise the distinction between the near ground valley floor, the riparian corridor of the Watervals River and the much steeper slopes beyond the river.

The bold distinction between the cliffs and underlying slopes is emphasised by the absence of bushveld vegetation on the cliffs.

Power line towers and line will be visible immediately in front of the riparian corridor, and although prominent in the foreground will be dwarfed in terms of dimensional mass by the slopes and sheer bulk of the escarpment behind. They will not break the horizon and will not be dominant over natural features.

Line The lines of the escarpment (mountains) to the west are the most prominent aspect of line within the landscape. Line orientation is horizontal (top of the cliffs) that form the horizon, as well as angular (slope elements). The vertical line elements in the cliffs are highly prominent.

Difference in vegetation between the slopes and the cliffs accentuates the cliffs as a prominent feature in the landscape.

The trunks of the stand of tall poplar trees along the river provide a strong vertical line element in the foreground.

The strip of riparian vegetation provides a band effect separating the valley bottom from the steeper slopes behind.

The towers placed in the foreground will introduce a vertical line element that will draw attention due to their proximity to the viewer. This will contrast with the horizontal line of the band of riparian vegetation, but will accentuate the vertical lines of the stand of poplars. The lines will not affect the prominence of the lines of the escarpment and cliffs.

Colour Colour based on vegetation (refer to column to right) - the colour of the slopes (brown to green – varying seasonally) is distinct from the yellow colouration of the cliffs.

Brown-yellow-green colours of the escarpment provide a strong contrast with the blue of the sky

A range of green hues are present in the landscape. The bright green of the foreground orchards provides a year-round green colour feature on the valley bottom. The darker green hues of the large riparian trees provide a strong contrast with the orchards and slopes behind, accentuated by bright purple of Jacaranda trees in the spring. The riparian vegetation provides a strong natural focal point due to this colour distinction.

The hillside woodland varies seasonally from browns in the winter to greener hues in the summer

The bright silver colour of the newly built towers and lines will provide a strong contrast with the natural (green-brown) hues in the landscape that will draw the attention of views to the foreground of the landscape.


The evenly-spaced, ordered texture of rows of orange trees provides a strong contrast to the band of riparian vegetation and the more uneven, random, coarse grained texture of natural vegetation on the hillside above it.

The evenly spaced towers will contrast slightly with the characteristics of the riparian corridor and more randomly spaced hillside vegetation.


� Degree of Visual Contrast Caused

Pre-rehabilitation

Strong Moderate Weak None

Form X

Line X

Colour X

Texture X

Degree of Visual Contrast:

WEAK

The distance between the receptor location and the proposed power line is not great which entails that the power line will be visible. Under the current alignment the power line towers would be placed ‘in front of’ the tall trees of the riparian corridor of the Watervals River. As such the power lines will be set against a background of trees and may not be as prominent as if they were set against an open background. Nonetheless the lines are likely to be visible above the riparian corridor tree line and will be prominent due to their position relative to the receptor location. The power lines will not break the horizon and will not disrupt views upwards towards the escarpment. As they will not ‘break the horizon’, the visual intrusion factor associated with the power lines is lessened.

Degree of acceptability of visual contrast created and visual intrusion factor:

The proposed power line alignment would place the lines within the scenic view of a range of mountains and cliffs (that stretches across the 180o arc of

view to the west of the guest house) and the underlying trees of the Watervals River riparian corridor and adjacent citrus orchards. The degree of visual intrusion of the power lines is minimised by their location ‘low down’ within the view (due to the elevated position of the lodge relative to the valley bottom), and the power lines will not intrude significantly into upward views of the mountains behind the riparian corridor. Due to this factor and as the visual contrast has assessed the degree of contrast overall to be weak, the development of power lines would be consistent with the tolerance level for this location.


3.3.2.2 Sharalumbi Estate Phase 1 northern household3

Visual / Landscape Context: Natural Visual character (no human industrial infrastructure visible except for an adjacent household)


Direction of view towards the proposed power line: North / NNE from the front of the house4

3 This location within the estate has been selected for assessment as it represents a worst case scenario as the lines would be aligned immediately adjacent to (over)

the house. The current alignment places the lines over the house but as this is not practical (electricity servitudes are not developed over permanent structures such

as houses), thus it has been assumed that the power line would be realigned to run along the property boundary to the east. It should be noted that certain of the

other houses in the estate would be less visually exposed to the power line due to the presence of dense, tall intervening vegetation. 4 It should be noted that due to the varying location of households and stands in relation to the lines, the direction of views towards the alignment from different

stands / households varies.




Form The high ridge that frames the north-eastern side of the valley is partially visible above and behind the large riparian trees of the Watervals River riparian corridor. The distant ridge thus has strong dimensional shape but weaker dimensional mass. Landform-based form in the landscape (the outlines of other parts of the valley in the eastern arc of view) is otherwise mostly shielded from view by tall, dense riparian vegetation.

The vegetation in the foreground (tall, trees and a dense undestorey of low trees and shrubs) is the most prominent expression of form in the view, with the very large acacia specimens and other large tree types dominating the view due to their relative proximity to the household.


Line Where visible, the distant ridge that frames the valley provides distinct near horizontal and angular lines that contrast with the vertical lines of the trees in the foreground.

The trunks of the large trees in the foreground provide a vertical line element that is the most dominant line element in the view due to the relative visual prominence of the trees.

No structural effect on line

Colour Distance of the ridge framing the valley renders the colours associated with the vegetation and underlying rock indistinct, and depending on the position of the sun, the distant ridge takes on a dull green to blue colour.

The colours of the large trees in the foreground are the dominant colour factor in the landscape – in summer they present a vibrant emerald green hue. In winter loss of leaves of certain of the deciduous species may lessen the green of the trees.

The green hues of the trees are accentuated by the green colour of the lawn in the immediate foreground.



The trees are the dominant feature in the landscape, and as such the trunks provide an evenly spaced textural element in the foreground of the view




Form The high ridge that frames the north-eastern side of the valley is partially visible above and behind the large riparian trees of the Watervals River riparian corridor. The distant ridge thus has strong dimensional shape but weaker dimensional mass. Landform-based form in the landscape (the outlines of other parts of the valley in the eastern arc of view) is otherwise mostly shielded from view by tall, dense riparian vegetation.

The vegetation in the foreground (tall, trees and a dense undestorey of low trees and shrubs) is a prominent expression of form in the view, with the very large acacia specimens and other large tree types being highly visible due to their relative proximity to the household. However this may be lessened if the trees are felled to create a power line servitude.

A tower placed in the arc of view in front of the house would be prominent due to the short distance (c80m) between the house and the line. The tower would rise above the trees and would be a dominant structural feature in the view due to its size.

Should the large riparian trees be felled in order to accommodate the power line servitude the tower would be even more prominent.

Line Where visible, the distant ridge that frames The trunks of the large trees in the foreground A tower placed in the arc of view in front of the


the valley provides distinct near horizontal and angular lines that contrast with the vertical lines of the trees in the foreground.

provide a prominent vertical line element due to the relative visual prominence of the trees.

This factor may be lessened if trees are felled to make way for a servitude.

house would introduce a strong vertical line element that would accentuate the vertical lines of the tree trunks (if these were not felled).

The horizontal alignment of the actual cables (lines) would introduce a horizontal line factor, which would be highly prominent if viewed against the backdrop of the open sky above the distant ridge

Colour Distance of the ridge framing the valley renders the colours associated with the vegetation and underlying rock indistinct, and depending on the position of the sun, the distant ridge takes on a dull green to blue colour.

The colours of the large trees in the foreground are the dominant colour factor in the landscape – in summer they present a vibrant emerald green hue. In winter loss of leaves of certain of the deciduous species may lessen the green of the trees.

The green hues of the trees are accentuated by the green colour of the lawn in the immediate foreground.

The bright silver colour of the newly built tower and lines will provide a strong contrast with the naturally green hues of the trees that will make it highly prominent.


The trees are the dominant feature in the landscape, and as such the trunks provide an evenly spaced textural element in the foreground of the view

No structural textural effect, as only one tower would be likely to be visible



Pre-rehabilitation


Form X

Line X

Colour X

Texture X


STRONG – MODERATE

The relatively short distance between the lines and the receptor location in this case would entail that the power line would be highly visible, especially if a tower were placed close to the household, and the tower would rise above the large existing trees and dominate the view. The visual prominence of the power line and degree of visual contrast created would be greatly increased if the large riparian trees and other woody vegetation on the property boundary were felled as part of the development of a power line servitude. The degree of contrast created would be moderate if existing vegetation was retained and strong if the existing riparian vegetation was to be felled.


The Sharlumbi Housing Estate has been developed as a location in which low density development can occur in a very natural setting, indicated by the distance between the stands and the retention of natural vegetation in between the stands. Very little human infrastructure is visible and the estate thus has a highly natural visual character. The introduction of a power line into this setting, especially in an alignment that would make the lines and towers highly visible and prominent would be associated with a high degree of visual intrusion. The high to moderate degree of visual contrast that would be created by the power line in this setting would entail that the development of power lines as proposed (aligned) would be inconsistent with the tolerance level for this location.


3.3.2.3 Black Leopard Lodge

Visual / Landscape Context: Natural Visual character (no human industrial infrastructure visible)


Direction of view towards the proposed power line: North-west5

5 The proposed alignment runs directly over the lodge, as the lodge is located in a steep valley which is proposed to be spanned by the proposed power line. The lines

and presumably a tower placed on the edge of the ridge would be able to be viewed to the northwest, and the line will also stretch overhead to the south-east




Form The steep valley side (ridge) frames the western-north-western side of the valley and is prominent as it towers vertically above the lodge, having enormous dimensional shape and mass. This landform is relatively simple, although the cliffs the form the crest of the valley side are clearly differentiated from the underlying scree slopes.

The view to the north down the valley is enclosed by the steep, angular valley sides, revealing a more complex vista of successively distant and higher ridges in the background of the view.

Landform is dominant in terms of form in the landscape, although the presence of trees and other vegetation on the steep scree slopes beneath the cliffs helps to accentuate the difference between the cliffs and the slopes below. However the trees surrounding the lodge screen the western valley side to a certain degree.


Line The location of the lodge within a steep valley entails that the surrounding landform creates stark and bold lines; where visible above the vegetation surrounding the lodge, the cliffs that cap the valley side create a highly visible horizontal band that draws the attention of the viewer and accentuates the horizon above the viewer. To the north the steep valley sides starkly enclose the valley and present two bold angular lines to the viewer. The far vista consists of a number of parallel (stacked) large horizontal lines.

Due to the distance of the vegetation on the valley sides, vegetation plays an insignificant role in defining line in the landscape.


Colour The colour of the valley sides varies seasonally, and colours are accentuated or alternatively muted according to the time of day and direction of the sun. The cliffs that cap the valley side are a yellow colour, highlighted with the morning sun. Refer to the right for effect of vegetation on colour.

The colour of the distant slopes also varies according to time of day and changes over distance. The closest slope is a green colour – that of the hillside woodland vegetation, but the slopes and mountains further afield take on a dull blue hue.

The colour of the slopes below the cliffs is a dark grey-green (colour of the grassy substrate) in winter, punctuated with the greens of evergreen trees. In summer the whole slope takes on a greener hue with the new growth of trees and grassy understorey that accentuates the difference between cliffs and underlying slopes.


Texture The cliffs are visually prominent and the structural lines (blocky texture) of the exposed rock give the impression of an evenly-spaced texture on the cliff face.

Texture is also partly based on vegetation (refer to column to right).

The trees on the valley side lower slope provide an uneven, medium-grained randomly ordered texture that contrasts with the evenly ordered (blocky) texture of the overlying cliffs.



� Post Construction (Landscape Context if power lines are developed)6


Form The steep valley side (ridge) frames the western-north-western side of the valley and is prominent as it towers vertically above the lodge, having enormous dimensional shape and mass. This landform is relatively simple, although the cliffs the form the crest of the valley side are clearly differentiated from the underlying scree slopes.

The view to the north down the valley is enclosed by the steep, angular valley sides, revealing a more complex vista of successively distant and higher ridges in the background of the view.

Landform is dominant in terms of form in the landscape, although the presence of trees and other vegetation on the steep scree slopes beneath the cliffs helps to accentuate the difference between the cliffs and the slopes below. However the trees surrounding the lodge screen the western valley side to a certain degree.

The tower on top of the ridge would be visible and although not having significant dimensional mass, would be a visual focal point as it would ‘break’ the currently unbroken horizontal skyline of the cliffs, thus creating a contrast.

Line The location of the lodge within a steep valley entails that the surrounding landform creates stark and bold lines; where visible above the vegetation surrounding the lodge, the cliffs that cap the valley side create a highly visible horizontal band that draws the attention of the viewer and accentuates the horizon above the viewer. To the north the steep valley sides starkly enclose the valley and present two bold angular lines to the viewer. The far vista consists of a number of parallel (stacked) large horizontal lines.

Due to the distance of the vegetation on the valley sides, vegetation plays an insignificant role in defining line in the landscape.

The presence and high visibility of a tower on the horizon would introduce a bold vertical line element, that although not having significant dimensional mass, would contrast with the horizontal line (band) of the cliffs.

The lines (cables) would ‘drop’ into the valley, and would accentuate this vertical line

Colour The colour of the valley sides varies seasonally, and colours are accentuated or alternatively muted according to the time of day and direction of the sun. The cliffs that cap the valley side are a yellow colour, highlighted with the morning sun. Refer to the right for effect of vegetation on colour.

The colour of the distant slopes also varies according to time of day and changes over distance. The closest slope is a green colour – that of the hillside woodland vegetation, but slopes and mountains further afield take on a dull blue hue.

The colour of the slopes below the cliffs is a dark grey-green (colour of the grassy substrate) in winter, punctuated with the greens of evergreen trees. In summer the whole slope takes on a greener hue with the new growth of trees and grassy understorey that accentuates the difference between cliffs and underlying slopes.

The new tower’s silver colour (and that of the lines), would create a strong visual contrast with the yellow of the cliffs and the green hues of the underlying vegetation. The silver lit up by the morning sun would be particularly prominent against this backdrop.

Texture The cliffs are visually prominent and the structural lines (blocky texture) of the exposed rock give the impression of an evenly-spaced texture on the cliff face.

Texture is also partly based on vegetation (refer to column to right).

The trees on the valley side lower slope provide an uneven, medium-grained randomly ordered texture that contrasts with the evenly ordered (blocky) texture of the overlying cliffs.

As only one tower would be visible, this would be unlikely to have a textural effect.

6 Note: due to the large distance of the required span across the valley, it is assumed that a tower would need to be placed at the edge of, or close to the edge of the

valley (on top of the ridge), and as such this tower would be visible from within the valley



Pre-rehabilitation


Form X

Line X

Colour X

Texture X


STRONG

The absence of any human alteration of the landscape from this location engenders it with a highly natural visual character. The presence of lines stretching vertically above the lodge and the relative visibility of a tower that would be likely to be placed on top of the valley side above the lodge would detract from the natural characteristics of the surrounding mountain slopes. The tower would ‘break the horizon’ and would thus be associated with a strong degree of visual contrast in spite of the relatively small dimensional mass of the tower on the top of the valley side. The presence of lines (cables) stretching directly overhead would be highly visually prominent and would intensify the visual intrusion factor of the power line at this location.


The Black Leopard Camp has been placed in a location that ensures that the surrounding topography shields any anthropogenic influence / alteration of the surrounding landscape. This is a strong factor in the ambience of the lodge and strong amenity values are associated with the natural landscape at this location and in the context of a protected area. The development of a power line that would span directly overhead, with the lines and a tower likely to be visible on top of the valley side directly above the lodge would represent a strong visual intrusion, as indicated by the strong degree of visual contrast that would be caused. This would have a strong bearing on the sense of place at the lodge. The development of power lines as proposed (aligned) would be inconsistent with the tolerance level for this location.


3.3.2.4 Thaba Tholo Stakeholders Household

Visual / Landscape Context: Natural Visual character (no human industrial infrastructure visible)


Direction of view towards the proposed power line: North and north-east




Form The house is located on the western side of a high-elevation valley head, and the slopes of the opposite valley side frames the view to the east. Natural landform dominates the view, with flat ground in the foreground, and the eastern valley side framing the view – with form being relatively simple. To the north the valley opens up to reveal a much more complex set of landforms – increasingly distant spurs and ridges enclosing the lower parts of the valley.

Although landform is the dominant feature of form in the landscape, a number of tall trees in the foreground of the view have dimensional mass due to their size and proximity to the household.


Line The valley side that forms the skyline presents a very simple horizontal and angular line in the view, and the viewer is drawn to the horizon. This is accentuated by the largely horizontal lines that are visible as the break in slope between the streamline below the house and the start of rising ground on the opposite side of the valley.

The more complex parts of the far landscape to the north present angular lines of the spurs, but these are less dominant due to their lesser dimensional mass.

The foreground trees present a vertical line element in the landscape, but the horizontal and angular lines associated with landform are more dominant.

A colour differential on the opposite valley side due to a firebreak is visible and draws the attention of the viewer; however this is likely to be a temporary (seasonal) line element in the landscape.


Colour The colour of the grassland on the opposite valley side varies seasonally, and colours are accentuated or alternatively muted according to the time of day and direction of the sun. Refer to the column to the right for seasonal vegetative colour factors.

The colour of the distant spurs and peaks is a factor of the greater distance of these features from the viewer – slopes and spurs further afield take on a dull blue hue.

The dominant colours in the landscape are based on vegetation;

The grassland on the surrounding slopes of the valleyhead varies seasonally in colour, being a dull yellow in winter and changing to bright green hues in spring and summer. The green colours of the trees in the valley accentuate the green hues of the grassland in winter.


Texture Texture in the landscape is mainly related to vegetation due to the relatively simple nature of landform.

The trees on the valley side provide an uneven, randomly ordered and coarse grained texture that contrasts with the very fine texture of the grassland.





Form The house is located on the western side of a high-elevation valley head, and the slopes of the opposite valley side frames the view to the east. Natural landform dominates the view, with flat ground in the foreground, and the eastern valley side framing the view – with form being relatively simple. To the north the valley opens up to reveal a much more complex set of landforms – increasingly distant spurs and ridges enclosing the lower parts of the valley.

Although landform is the dominant feature of form in the landscape, a number of tall trees in the foreground of the view have dimensional mass due to their size and proximity to the household.

A few towers would be highly visible and prominent as they would cross over the ridge forming the opposite side of the valley (thus at least one tower would break the horizon), and would then run down the opposite valley slope, spanning across the valley to the north. Although distant from the viewer, the tower breaking the horizon would be important in terms of overall form, attracting the attention of the viewer.

Line The valley side that forms the skyline presents a very simple horizontal and angular line in the view, and the viewer is drawn to the horizon. This is accentuated by the largely horizontal lines that are visible as the break in slope between the streamline below the house and the start of rising ground on the opposite side of the valley.

The more complex parts of the far landscape to the north present angular lines of the spurs, but these are less dominant due to their lesser dimensional mass.

The foreground trees present a vertical line element in the landscape, but the horizontal and angular lines associated with landform are more dominant.

A colour differential on the opposite valley side due to a firebreak is visible and draws the attention of the viewer; however this is likely to be a temporary (seasonal) line element in the landscape.

The introduction of a servitude that would run down the opposite valley side could create a visible band in the landscape due to the clearing of trees and clearing of grass in the servitude that will be seasonally enhanced.

The tower that would be placed on, or close to the top of the opposite valley side would be prominent in spite of the distance and would introduce a vertical line element that would contrast with the horizontal line of the horizon.

The lines (cables) would be visible, especially as the cross in front of the view of the far valley, introducing an angular and horizontal line element into the landscape.

Colour The colour of the grassland on the opposite valley side varies seasonally, and colours are accentuated or alternatively muted according to the time of day and direction of the sun. Refer to the column to the right for seasonal vegetative colour factors.

The colour of the distant spurs and peaks is a factor of the greater distance of these features from the viewer – slopes and spurs further afield take on a dull blue hue.

The dominant colours in the landscape are based on vegetation;

The grassland on the surrounding slopes of the valleyhead varies seasonally in colour, being a dull yellow in winter and changing to bright green hues in spring and summer. The green colours of the trees in the valley accentuate the green hues of the grassland in winter.

The cleared servitude running down the opposite valley side may create a slight colour differential from the surrounding grassland, accentuating the servitude as a band in the landscape

Depending on the time of day, the silver colour of new towers and lines (cables) would be prominent against the backdrop of the natural hues of the grassland and woodland, and for the tower protruding above the horizon, against the open sky, providing a strong, but spatially localised colour contrast.

Texture Texture in the landscape is mainly related to vegetation due to the relatively simple nature of landform.

The trees on the valley side provide an uneven, randomly ordered and coarse grained texture that contrasts with the very fine texture of the grassland.




Pre-rehabilitation


Form X

Line X

Colour X

Texture X


STRONG – MODERATE

The introduction of a power line that would run across most of the width of the view in an eastern and northern arc would be associated with a relatively high degree of contrast, especially in the context of the setting, that would detract from this natural characteristics of the surrounding mountain slopes and which would be associated with a high degree of visual intrusion. The tower(s) that would ‘break the horizon’ and would thus be associated with a strong degree of visual contrast in spite of the relatively small dimensional mass would enhance this sense of visual intrusion.


This receptor location is in an extremely natural location, with the topographical setting ensuring that no human infrastructure is visible. Strong amenity values are associated with the natural landscape at this location in the context of being in a protected area. The development of a power line that would span the valley in which the household is located, and which would run directly across the view from the receptor location would represent a strong visual intrusion, as indicated by the relatively high degree of visual contrast that would be caused. This would have a strong bearing on the sense of place at the household. The development of power lines as proposed (aligned) would be inconsistent with the tolerance level for this location.


3.3.2.5 Kudu Ranch – North-western Households7

Visual / Landscape Context: Largely Natural Visual character (low degree of human infrastructure visible)


Direction of view towards the proposed power line: North-west

7 The north-western and south-western households on the western edge of the housing component of Kudu Ranch have been selected for assessment as these are

the only parts of the housing component of the estate that will be visually exposed to views of the proposed line. The majority of existing households (stands) will

not be able to view the new power line (and are not exposed to views of the existing power line alongside which the line runs), due to the screening effect of

vegetation and their topographical position relative to the alignment.




Form The view north-westwards / northwards from the house presents a view of relatively hilly terrain sloping up to a high ridge to the north-west. A series of spurs provides a degree of complexity to the landscape, with the sloping ground in the foreground having the greatest dimensional mass.

Landform is the dominant feature of form in the landscape, although trees close to the receptor location block part of the foreground landscape from view.


Line Landform features provide the strongest expression of form in the landscape, with the lines of spurs and ridges being most prominent as near-horizontal, slightly angular lines.

The woodland vegetation is too distant to provide line features in the landscape and is rather amorphous.


Colour Colour in the landscape is largely dependent on vegetation, as described in the column to the right.

The dominant colours in the landscape are based on vegetation which is broad-leafed woodland, most of which is evergreen (as opposed to deciduous), thus the dominant colour on the spurs is the green hue of the vegetation. There will be a seasonal effect on colour in that in winter the underlying grassy understorey will provide a yellow hue to the landscape, and in summer the colour of the understorey will match that of the woodland vegetation.


Texture Texture in the landscape is mainly related to vegetation, as described in the column to the right.

The density of the trees on the wooded slopes provides the landscape with a medium to coarse-grained texture with an even-random textural effect.




Form The view north-westwards / northwards from the house presents a view of relatively hilly terrain sloping up to a high ridge to the north-west. A series of spurs provides a degree of complexity to the landscape, with the sloping ground in the foreground having the greatest dimensional mass.

Landform is the dominant feature of form in the landscape, although trees close to the receptor location block part of the foreground landscape from view.

A few of the structures of the new power line will be visible, presumably placed alongside the towers of the existing line. Although visible, these will be screened to a certain degree by the surrounding vegetation, and importantly will not break the horizon, thus creating little contrast.

Line Landform features provide the strongest expression of form in the landscape, with the lines of spurs and ridges being most prominent as near-horizontal, slightly angular lines.

The woodland vegetation is too distant to provide line features in the landscape and is rather amorphous.

It is unlikely that any band due to the clearing of vegetation in the servitude would be visible, as the lower part of the towers and servitude would be screened by intervening woodland vegetation.

A few towers will be visible, but due to the distance factor these will not be prominent. These will introduce a very weak vertical line element.

Colour Colour in the landscape is largely dependent on vegetation, as described in the column to

The dominant colours in the landscape are based on vegetation which is broad-leafed

As power lines will be relatively indistinct and partly screened by vegetation, there will be


the right. woodland, most of which is evergreen (as opposed to deciduous), thus the dominant colour on the spurs is the green hue of the vegetation. There will be a seasonal effect on colour in that in winter the underlying grassy understorey will provide a yellow hue to the landscape, and in summer the colour of the understorey will match that of the woodland vegetation.

little colour contrast created.


The density of the trees on the wooded slopes provides the landscape with a medium to coarse-grained texture with an even-random textural effect.

As power lines will be relatively indistinct and partly screened by vegetation, there will be little change to the texture of the landscape.


Pre-rehabilitation


Form X

Line X

Colour X

Texture X


WEAK

The relatively large distance between the receptor location and the lines and the partial screening of the towers by the woodland vegetation and the likely complete screening of the cleared servitude, greatly minimises the potential for creation of visual contrast by the new lines in terms of the landscape elements assessed above. The proposed power line would at most create a weak degree of contrast.


An existing power line (four towers) is visible from this location, with the nearest towers being largely screened from view by vegetation. The farthest tower is fully visible on a spur, but the distance factor makes it indistinct, and the tower does not break the horizon. Although the landscape context is highly natural and within the setting of a protected area (thus a power line would be an unwelcome intrusion in this context of amenity values being placed in the largely natural landscape), there is an existing power line, alongside which the new power line would be routed. The presence of the existing power line and the factor of the towers and lines (cables) of the new tower being indistinct in the landscape setting would entail that a weak


degree of visual contrast would be created, and the landscape as visible from this location would remain largely natural. The development of power lines as proposed (aligned) would be consistent with the tolerance level for this location.

3.3.2.6 Kudu Ranch – South-western Households8

Visual / Landscape Context: Largely Natural Visual character (low degree of human infrastructure visible)


Direction of view towards the proposed power line: Westward

8 The north-western and south-western households o the western edge of the housing component of Kudu Ranch have been selected for assessment as these are the

only parts of the housing component of the estate that will be visually exposed to views of the proposed line. The majority of existing households (stands) will not be

able to view the new power line (and are not exposed to views of the existing power line alongside which the line runs), due to the screening effect of vegetation

and their topographical position relative to the alignment.




Form Landform in the view in the direction of the power line is very poorly defined due to the presence of trees immediately adjacent to the receptor locations and in the intervening area to the existing power line. Where visible, only the tops of the ridges to the south-west are partially visible.

The natural woodland vegetation that has been retained (except for the immediate footprint of the households) surrounds the houses and effectively limits any medium-or long-distance views. Vegetation is thus the dominant element of form in the landscape

The top part of one power line tower (the existing line) is partly visible through the vegetation, but is indistinct

Line Landform features are largely screened and therefore do not provide strong line elements.

The woodland vegetation dominates the view that is limited to the foreground, thus the most prominent line elements are the vertical and angular lines of tree trunks and branches.

The tower of the existing power line is only partly visible, but does provide an element of vertical line.


As colour in the landscape is dominated by vegetation, seasonal factors determine colour in the landscape. In winter the thatching grass is yellow and the acacia trees lose their leaves, hence the dominant colour is a bleached yellow hue. This changes in spring and summer with the regrowth of acacia leaves (a green hue) and the greening of the grass.



Too little of the landscape to the west and south-west is visible to provide texture, but the foreground trees are randomly spaced and coarse-grained.




Form Landform in the view in the direction of the power line is very poorly defined due to the presence of trees immediately adjacent to the receptor locations and in the intervening area to the existing power line. Where visible, only the tops of the ridges to the south-west are partially visible.

The natural woodland vegetation that has been retained (except for the immediate footprint of the households) surrounds the houses and effectively limits any medium-or long-distance views. Vegetation is thus the dominant element of form in the landscape

Assuming that the towers of the new line are placed alongside those of the existing line, the tower(s) of the new line that are visible will be largely screened by existing vegetation (more so in summer when the acacia trees have foliage), with little degree of contrast from the existing visual baseline created.

Line Landform features are largely screened and therefore do not provide strong line elements.

The woodland vegetation dominates the view that is limited to the foreground, thus the most prominent line elements are the vertical and angular lines of tree trunks and branches.

The clearing of a new servitude for the proposed line will be unlikely to reduce the effectiveness of the screening effect of vegetation, as vegetation within 50m of the receptor locations is largely

The tower of the existing power line is only partly visible, but does provide an element of vertical line. The new tower will compliment this vertical effect, but as most lines in the visible landscape are vertical, this will create little contrast.


responsible for screening the lines.


As colour in the landscape is dominated by vegetation, seasonal factors determine colour in the landscape. In winter the thatching grass is yellow and the acacia trees lose their leaves, hence the dominant colour is a bleached yellow hue. This changes in spring and summer with the regrowth of acacia leaves (a green hue) and the greening of the grass.



Too little of the landscape to the west and south-west is visible to provide texture, but the foreground trees are randomly spaced and coarse-grained.



Pre-rehabilitation


Form X

Line X

Colour X

Texture X


WEAK

The effective screening of the towers and line by the woodland vegetation surrounding the receptor locations and in the intervening area greatly minimises the potential for creation of visual contrast by the new lines in terms of the landscape elements assessed above. The proposed power line would at most create a weak degree of contrast.


One existing tower is only partially visible from this location, with the tower(s) of the new line being likely to be similarly screened. Although the landscape context is highly natural and within the setting of a protected area (thus a power line would be an unwelcome intrusion in this context of amenity values being placed in the largely natural landscape), there is an existing power line, alongside which the new power line would be routed. The


presence of the existing power line and the factor of the towers and lines (cables) of the new power line likely to be largely screened would entail that a weak degree of visual contrast would be created, and the landscape as visible from this location would remain largely natural. The development of power lines as proposed (aligned) would be consistent with the tolerance level for this location.


The table below provides a summary of the results of the visual contrast assessment at the key observation locations in the study area:

Table 5 - Comparative Assessment of Degree of Visual Contrast and Consistency with Tolerance Level for each alternative

Key Observation Location

Degree of visual contrast in key view (landscape)

Pre-rehabilitation

Consistency with visual change tolerance level

Buffelsvley Guest Farm

Weak Consistent with tolerance level

Sharalumbi Estate Northern Household

Strong – Moderate Inconsistent with tolerance level

Black Leopard Camp Strong Inconsistent with tolerance level

Thaba Tholo Stakeholders Lodge

Strong – Moderate Inconsistent with tolerance level

Kudu Ranch North-western Households


Kudu Ranch South-western Households


3.3.3 Discussion and Implications for Visual Impact

Although the visual contrast rating has only been undertaken for selected receptor locations, the examination of the wider locations reveals a number of trends in terms of the visibility of the proposed alignment along the various line alternatives, as influenced by topography and vegetation. Alternatives 1 and 3 traverse significant extents of protected areas (nature reserves), and receptors in these locations would logically be assumed to be sensitive to visual intrusion caused by power lines due to the amenity values associated with the natural / largely natural landscapes and the high scenic value of the landscapes. In this context however, the visual intrusion factor associated with the proposed power line over different alternatives varies depending not only on distance between the alignment and the receptor location, but (as importantly) on the screening effects of topography and vegetation. Vegetation is important, as in contexts where natural woodland has been retained as the primary landcover, the vegetation in the area presents a highly effective screening function that would assist with the screening of power lines from view, especially where the vegetation surrounds the receptor location. This is well-illustrated for example, at the Lapeng Game Lodge where bushveld vegetation in the area between the receptor location and the existing line effectively screens the power line from view in the flat setting (i.e. in which topography would perform little to no screening function). This is also true for much of the Kudu Ranch residential area (although topography is more important as discussed below), in which vegetation performs an important role in screening the towers of the existing line from view from the residential properties closest to them. In grassland-dominated settings, however the proposed power line would be much more visible if topography performs no screening role. This is illustrated by the high potential visibility of the proposed alignment along Alternative 3 that would be associated with a high degree of visual intrusion at most of the receptor locations within the higher-elevation grassland areas within the Thaba Tholo Reserve.

Topography (topographical setting of the viewer) can assist in the screening of the lines from view, or can alternatively not assist in screening the lines at all. The former case is valid for most of the residential receptor locations within Kudu Ranch. The residential households occur on the slopes of the Spekboom River that are increasingly steeply sloping as one approaches the valley bottom. A low ridge lies to the west of many of the


households that are located closest to the existing power line (and Alternative 1) and thus the line is not visible from these locations which are located closest to the alignment. The concave nature of the western side of the Spekboom River valley results in all of the residential properties located further east not being exposed to the power line at all, with the dense woodland on the slopes acting as a further screening factor. For those few properties that are exposed to views of the existing power line, and for the parts of the reserve that are exposed to views of the lines as they cross the reserve, the presence of the existing lines is an important factor in mitigating / ameliorating the potential visual intrusion factor of the proposed power line if developed along the Alternative 1 alignment. The existing power lines precede the creation of the estate and its proclamation as a nature reserve, and are part of the visual baseline of the area in which the estate is located. There is thus an existing presence of human infrastructure in this reserve that has altered the visual baseline from a purely natural setting, and which has accordingly heightened the visual absorption capacity for the development of a (further) power line. The development of a new power line would thus arguably be associated with a lesser degree of visual intrusion than a situation in which there are no power lines present. The Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve is already exposed to views of a power line, thus arguably the development of a second power line alongside the existing line would not constitute a significant visual impact, although a number of interested and affected parties resident in the reserve have expressed opposition to the development of a second power line through the reserve. This is an important factor in the selection of a preferred alternative, as explored in the next section. The presence of the existing 132kV power line engenders the Kudu Ranch property with a higher VAC, and for this reason, the developing of a new power line alongside an existing power line is not considered to be a visual fatal flaw.

Figure 16 – Existing power line spanning a deep valley in the northern part of the Kudu Ranch property

The Thaba Tholo Reserve is traversed by Alternative 3, which is aligned across the high ground that makes up much of the property before descending into the Watervals River Valley. The alignment of the power line along this alternative through the reserve means that it crosses a large area of high elevation and a series of parallel-running ridges. There are a number of receptor locations along this high ground, including a stakeholders’ household and a number of viewpoints / ‘sundowner’ locations for game drives conducted on the reserve, in which guests to the Black Leopard Camp are taken to appreciate the extensive scenic vistas of the surrounding


mountainous terrain from these viewpoints. Accordingly a number of game drive routes also traverse this area and there are a few locations where guests are taken to view archaeological sites (petroglyphs). The power line alignment of Alternative 3 would cross this high-lying ground in which these receptor locations are located and would be highly visible, arguably being highly obtrusive as it would introduce a strong element of human structural development to this area which is currently highly natural, thus significantly altering the sense of place and degrading the amenity values associated with the natural landscape. Although the Black Leopard Camp is not located on this high ground, the alignment of Alternative 3 entails that the power line would pass directly above it, and due to the significant length of span across the deep valley in which it is located, it is highly likely that a tower would need to be placed at the edge of the cliff that towers above the lodge, making it highly visible and visually intrusive, as the tower and lines (cables) would significantly alter the completely natural surroundings of the lodge. From a visual perspective, the alignment of the power line along the section of Alternative 3 that crosses this part of the route can be considered a visual fatal flaw – i.e. a visual impact that would be unlikely to be able to be adequately mitigated as it is unlikely that a realignment of the line in other parts of the reserve would reduce the level of visual intrusion.

Although the Lapolosa Wilderness Reserve has been unable to be assessed in the field at the time of writing of this draft due to access constraints that were in place at the time of the field visit to the area, and accordingly receptor location-specific assessments cannot be made at this point, the section of Alternative 2 that crosses the area in which this wilderness reserve can be broadly assessed. The southern-most section of Alternative 2 that crosses the property on which the Lapolosa Wilderness Reserve is located climbs up from the upper parts of the Watervals River valley and runs along the high-lying ground which is located on top of the ridge. In a similar manner to the section of Alternative 3 that traverses the Thaba Tholo Reserve, the location of the power line on top of ridge entails that the towers would be highly prominent in this topographical position, and would be the tallest objects be quite some way over a large area. Similarly to Thaba Tholo, the property on which the Lapolosa Reserve is located is very remote, appearing to have very little to no human development or infrastructure within it, having been termed a wilderness reserve by its owners. The communally owned area to the north of the Enkosini Reserve to which access was possible is very remote with very little human development and visible impact

9. The absence of human infrastructure in this area, along with the practising of ecotourism and

conservation-related activities are likely to imbue the property with a very low VAC and high level of visual sensitivity respectively. The assessment of this part of the study area is currently associated with a low degree of confidence as it has not able to be visited, and although it appears likely that this part of Alternative 2 is highly similar in characteristics to the area traversed by Alternative 3 in the Thaba Tholo Reserve, the low level of confidence in the assessment has not allowed the assessment of whether the alignment is a fatal flaw or not to be made.

3.4 Comparative Assessment of Alternative Alignments

Three alternative alignments have been presented for comparative assessment, and each specialist study has been tasked with selecting a preferred alignment from the perspective of that particular specialist discipline. A number of different factors can be assessed in comparing the three alignments, as presented in the table below.

9 A number of hiking trails, including two backpacking trails and a number of day trails – the Rooi Ivoor Hiking Trail formerly

existed on the property to the north of the Lapolosa Reserve. The trails appear to have fallen into disuse as the backpackers

hut (Stamvrug Hut) on the top of the escarpment to the west of Buffelsvley is in a state of disrepair.


Table 6 – Factors to be considered in the comparative assessment of alternative alignments

Alternative Alignment

Number of Sensitive Receptors within 2km of the alignment

10

Existing Presence of Existing Power line >88kV

Fatal Flaw Other Factors

Alternative 1 53 Yes -No – Although the alignment passes through the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve, the presence of an existing 132kV line along which the alignment is proposed to run ensures the proposed line is not a fatal flaw as the presence of an existing 132kV line would mitigate the visual intrusion factor associated with the new line.

-Of the 70 households and other static receptor locations in the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve, the vast majority (~60) will not be visually exposed to the proposed alignment due to screening effect of topography

Alternative 2 22 No -Yes – A significant portion of the line runs through the Thaba Tholo Reserve in which there is no large-scale human infrastructure, and the alignment runs across the high ground and directly overhead the Black Leopard Camp

-Certain of the households and residential stands within the Sharalumbi Estate will be effectively screened by vegetation, but the alignment passes directly across a number of households in the phase 1 component of the Estate.

Alternative 3 1(2)11

No -N/A12

-The alignment passes through the Lapolosa Wilderness Reserve

The above table reveals that the largest number of sensitive receptor locations is located along Alternative 1, households within the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve. However examining numbers of sensitive receptors potentially affected is simplistic, and is arguably biased towards residential estates in which there is a higher density of properties. It also does not take into account factors such as the presence of existing electricity infrastructure and the relative exposure to the lines. A number of such factors are presented in the table above; most importantly:

• Alternative 1 is the only alternative along which an existing (large-scale) power line exists, and which forms part of the visual baseline

• The vast majority of the households within the Kudu Ranch Reserve will have no visual exposure to the proposed alignment, due to the screening effect of topography

• The nature of the alignment of Alternative 3, crossing ridge tops and high ground, and being aligned in very close proximity and thus creating a very high degree of visual contrast and thus visual intrusion to all receptor locations within the Thaba Tholo Reserve entails that this part of the alignment is considered a fatal flaw

Even for those parts of the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve in which the proposed power line would be visible, the presence of the existing 132kV power line entails that a large power line is already part of the existing visual baseline, thus resulting in the development of a second power line running alongside it being associated with a much lesser degree of visual contrast, and thus visual intrusion than parts of the study area in which no existing

10

It should be noted that for the purposes of comparative assessment, receptor locations located along sections of the

proposed route which are common to all alternatives – i.e. the section of Alternative 2 to the south-east of the Merensky

Substation – have not been counted. 11

The Lapolosa Lodge has been added to the number (in parentheses), but as the property has not been able to be

assessed, the distance between the lodge and the proposed alignment is unknown. It is also unknown whether there are

other sensitive receptor locations on the property. 12

Please refer to section 3.2.3 above for the caveat relating to the assessment of Alternative 2.


power lines are located. Alternative 3 (as currently aligned) would have a significant visual impact on a number of households (and stands) within the Phase 1 of the Sharalumbi Estate, over which the proposed power line route has been aligned. The development of a power line along Alternative 3 would be associated with a significant degree of visual intrusion for both the Thaba Tholo Reserve and Sharalumbi Estate Phase 1, thus being likely to alter the ‘sense of place’ and visual environment of those locations. The development of a new power line along Alternative 1 is much less likely to have this effect, due to the existing presence of a large power line that forms part of the existing visual baseline.

For these reasons, Alternative 1 is strongly preferred over Alternative 3 (and the part of Alternative 2 that is an alternative to Alternative 3). It should be noted that the section of Alternative 3 that forms an alternative to Alternative 3 crosses the Lapolosa Wilderness Reserve, and runs across the top of the high ridge that forms the western side of the Watervals Valley, thus being highly prominent. The nature of the alignment on top of a ridge top, and the traversing of the Wilderness Reserve makes this part of the alternative non-preferred.

3.5 Mitigation Measures Apart from route re-alignments that could be considered to avoid certain receptor locations, a potential mitigation measure that could be considered is the development of a double circuit line (i.e. upgrading of the existing line) that would obviate the need to develop a second line through the study area. This would likely entail the development of a new power line servitude parallel to the existing line, as the existing line could not be made non-operational while being upgraded. The older line would then be able to be decommissioned once the new line was operational leaving one line in place. If technically feasible, this option would eliminate the need to develop a new line either alongside the existing line or elsewhere in the study area, and would thus not create a new visual impact in a currently un-impacted part of the study area. However such a double circuit power line would be likely to be taller than the current line, and thus arguably more visually intrusive.

The possibility of route realignments to mitigate visual impacts at certain receptor locations can be considered as a way to reduce visual impacts at those locations. The most intensive visual impacts would arguably occur along the section of Alternative 3 that crosses the Thaba Tholo Reserve, and this section of this alternative has been assessed to be a fatal flaw. By definition a fatal flaw represents an impact or set of impacts that cannot be mitigated to acceptable levels. Even though a realignment of Alternative 3 could be considered, the entire Thaba Tholo Reserve is considered to be highly visually sensitive, and thus realigning the power line to another part of the reserve would not be likely to ameliorate the visual impact associated with it.

Lastly, from a visual perspective the development of the visually preferred route would be the most effective mitigation measure; as explored above.


The Impact rating matrix for the project appears below.

Phase Potential Aspect and or Impact

Significance rating of impacts before mitigation

Mitigation Significance rating of impacts after

mitigation

Construction • Site (Servitude) clearing and removal of vegetation could partially alter the landscape as viewed from the surrounds of the site, with the emergence of an exposed strip of bare soil.

• Construction equipment such as cranes could be visually intrusive, albeit for a short time period

Extent: Local (-2)

Duration: Medium-

term (-2)

Intensity: Low (-1)

Probability:

Possible (-2)

Significance:

Medium (-7)

• Phased, rather than indiscriminate clearing of the site to be undertaken.

• Vegetation clearing to be limited to the servitude, and to be limited to species specimens presenting a fire danger or clearance danger to the

Extent: Local (-2)

Duration: Short-term

(-1)

Intensity: Low (-1)

Probability:

Improbable (-1)

Significance: Low

(-5)

Operation • By virtue of their size (height), power line towers and lines would be highly visually intrusive, especially in areas with a highly natural character. In this case the power line would be highly incongruous in the setting and could alter the sense of place by altering the visual baseline.

Extent: Local (-2)

Duration: Long term

(-3)

Intensity: High (-3)

Probability:

Possible (-2)

Significance:

Medium (-10)

• Avoidance of visually sensitive areas through the selection of Alternative1, and that would consolidate impacts by aligning the proposed power line adjacent to an existing power line (that is part of the visual baseline in this part of the study area).

•

Extent: Local (-2)

Duration: Long term

(-3)

Intensity: Moderate

(-2)

Probability:

Improbable (-1)

Significance:

Medium

(-8)

Decom-missioning

• Removal of towers and rehabilitation of the (cleared) servitude could constitute a positive visual impact as the landscape could be returned to a more natural appearance, especially in the context of conserved / protected areas.

Extent: Local (2)

Duration:

Permanent (4)

Intensity: Moderate

(2)

Probability:

Possible (2)

Significance:

Medium (+10)

• If housing and other infrastructure is to be removed, the area should be rehabilitated back to a site of natural appearance with adequate vegetating of the site to ensure the aesthetic quality of the area is retained.

• If housing is to be upgraded or altered in design or density, the design should ensure that the development adheres to the aesthetic quality of the surrounding urban environment as viewed from the areas surrounding the site.

Cumulative • The proposed development could result in a cumulative impact if Alternative 1 is selected as the preferred alternative as the new power line will be aligned alongside an existing 132kV power line.

• Refer to activity / phase specific mitigation measures above

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4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This report has assessed the potential visual impacts associated with the proposed establishment of a new power line between Mashishing (Lydenburg) and Steelpoort in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. The wider study area is predominantly rural in terms of landuse, and due to the mountainous nature of terrain over much of the area displays a largely natural visual character. There are a number of static receptors located within 5km of the three alignment alternatives that have been presented for assessment.

There are a number of protected areas or properties in the study area which are set aside for the conservation of biodiversity, and on which ecotourism-related activities take place. Due to the prevalence of such areas in the study area, high amenity values are placed in the landscapes in the study area and much of the wider study area has been assessed to be visually sensitive to the development of large-scale human structures such as power lines. Many of the landscapes in the study area are almost completely or largely natural, in which little human infrastructure is currently visible. Only in the eastern part of the study area is the visual baseline altered by a large structural feature in the form a 132kV power line that runs between the Lydenburg and Merensky Substations.

The visual contrast rating methodology has been utilised to assess the impact of the degree of visual contrast and level of visual intrusion of the proposed power line at selected key observation locations. The assessment has identified that certain locations located close to the proposed alignments where topography and vegetation would not help to screen the power lines from view would be subject to a high level of visual intrusion. Certain other locations located relatively close to the power line will conversely not be exposed to views of the proposed power line due to the screening effects of vegetation, and in particularly, topography.

The assessment has revealed that static receptor locations in the Thaba Tholo Reserve along Alternative 3, and certain sensitive receptor locations in the Watervals River Valley along Alternative 3 would be subject to a high level of visual intrusion and thus visual impact. The visual impact associated with Alternative 3 as it crosses the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Area is considered a visual fatal flaw due to the alignment of the power line and the highly natural state of the reserve. Although Alternative 1 traverses another nature reserve – the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve (Estate), the majority of households would not be visually exposed to the proposed power line due to topographical features. In addition the presence of the existing 132kV power line that runs through the reserve entails that a high voltage power line is already part of the existing visual baseline of the reserve, and the addition of a new power line aligned alongside the existing line has been assessed to be not be associated with a significant degree of visual impact. For these and other reasons, the development of the power line along Alternative 1 is strongly preferred from a visual perspective.

5 REFERENCES

� Mazehan, S.M., Shuib, B.K., and Hashim, H., 2013, Value of Rural Landscape from Public Perspectives, Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Science Research, ICSSR 2013 (e-ISBN 978-967- 11768-1-8). 4-5 June 2013, Penang, Malaysia

� Najafi,M., and Shariff, M.K.B.M, 2011, The Concept of Place and Sense of Place In Architectural Studies, International Journal of Human and Social Sciences 6:3 2011

� Porteous, 1996. Environmental Aesthetics: Ideas, politics and planning, Routlege

� Pun, D.P., 2004, Rural Landscape Change: Landscape Practices, Values and Meanings. The Case of Jagatpur VDC, Chitwan Nepal, Master of Philosophy in Social Change - Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

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� USA Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management, Manual 8431 - Visual Resource Contrast Rating.

� Wu, Y., Bishop, HH., & Sposito, V., 2006. Using GIS in Landscape Visual Quality Assessment, Applied GIS, Volume 2, Number 3, Monash University Express

lydenburg – merensky 132kv power lines …rhdhv.co.za/media/lydenburg-merensky/visual...

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