Page 81 - 00 Volume 5 The Mine

formed. The extent of the lake and height of the identity areas in the landscape. Integration of the
water will depend on the height and location of its site with its surroundings and setting is the aim -
outlet into either the southern perimeter drain to not the obliteration or complete screening off of the
Kimihia Outlet or to Lake Kimihia to the site. Where screening may be necessary or
north. An obvious outlet, given the present desirable in many cases, this can best be
landform, would be to the south through the achieved with strategic planting and/or
recently constructed access road to the Huntly contouring at or near the particular view point
East Mine, which has an elevation of 10 metres rather than relying on planting at or near the
above Moturiki datum. The eventual lake level object to be screened. The scale and density of
could be lowered by the excavation of an outlet woodlots and areas of vegetation within the site
down to 8.5 metres, allowing for a gradient of 0.5 must be sensitive to ecological and visual
metres to Kimihia Outlet. In periods of persistent relationships.
rainfall or storms, water level would rise with
flooding within the whole study area. Land Use Proposals
The decision over the height of the future
outlet from the eventual opencast lake will have to Various local authorities, Government
comply with the flood control scheme to be Departments and recreational clubs have expressed
implemented by the Waikato Valley Authority, interest in taking over portions of land within the
and take into account the probable flooding which study area, or being given use of Crown Land.
will occur downstream from Kimihia Outlet Most proposals put forward to date have
following underground mining and surface involved long-term or permanent use of the land
subsidence. beyond the perimeter of the opencast and future
The choice of eventual lake level in the opencast lake. Other "temporary" proposals
opencast determines the location of any concern parts of the opencast which will not be
earthworks required to establish stable beach flooded for at least 25 years. The following
slopes around the eastern and south­eastern rim of proposals are being supported by State Coal
the opencast. Mines on the recommendation of their
consultants.

Visual Considerations
The study area nestles within low rolling hills, Wildlife Management Reserve

mostly under pasture, but with some patches of The Department of Lands and Survey prepared
bush. The remnant lake and wetlands are a natural a proposal to reserve an area of Crown Land
environment in this setting, but the opencast within the study area for wildlife management and
mine is stark and an unnatural landscape. The to appoint the Minister of Internal Affairs to
opencast is overlooked by Huntly residents living control and manage the reserves. The proposal
along the top of the ridge on the western side of covers the remnant Lake Kimihia and surrounding
Kimihia, and further residential development is wetlands extending west towards Kimihia
taking place on the lower slopes nearer the outlet,approximately 94 hectares in area. The
opencast. majority of the low lying land sought for the
The visual impact of the site will be fully proposed wildlife management reserve is held by
assessed in order that positive visual local farmers under temporary tenancies, and is
management guidelines and specific proposals used for grazing.
can be developed. The principal objective, The creation of a wildlife management
therefore, will be the rehabilitation and integration reserve is aimed at multipurpose public use and

of the presently disturbed landscape to create wildlife enhancement by:
a new landscape with its own valid basis and 1 Planting tree species favoured by
identity. The Landscape Architecture Division wildfowl, to control the pussy willow and
of the Ministry of works are involved in this improve game bird population.
assessment as part of the design and construction 2 To provide bird watching and nature study
of surface facilities required for the Huntly East opportunities for school groups, clubs and

Mine. individuals.
3 To improve the number of game birds to
The technique of landscape integration would
rely not only on the screening of unpleasant be hunted in season.
views and general landscape amelioration, but It is not intended to create a wildlife refuge or
also on the creation of focal points and visual game hunting area, nor is it intended to close the