Part 1 - Palmerston North City Council

gemconsulting
However, it is probable that some erosion and slippage will still occur on this cliff until it reaches a more
stable slope.
The finished works are unlikely to cause any effects on the residential amenity of nearby properties. The
closest residential properties are those located above the cliff off Cashmere Drive, Vaucluse Heights and
Waicola Drive. The site at the base of the cliff is screened from view by the cliff itself. The properties at the
end of Albert Street are over 500 metres from the site. Given this distance the finished works are not likely
to be prominent and will also be screened from view by the river bank vegetation located between the site
and the dwellings.
6.3 Conclusion on Actual and Potential Effects
There are a number of actual and potential effects from this proposal, both positive and adverse. In terms
of the positive, the proposed works will offer opportunities for greater access to the river, in particular the
PNCC owned reserves on the left bank of the river. The works will also provide long term protection to the
City's existing stopbanks. When considered in conjunction with the works proposed by PMB Landco Ltd,
the proposal will also lessen risk to the public using that stretch of the river for recreation purposes and will
prevent further erosion of the ANZAC Cliff thereby protecting valuable residentially zoned land and
reducing a significant source of silt and sediment to the Manawatu River.
Adverse effects arise primarily through the construction phases of the works. Perhaps the most significant
matter is sediment release. While this is minimised through the techniques and work sequencing as
outlined within the construction methodology document it is inevitable that some sediment will be
released to the Manawatu River. As stated, this is expected to affect the river for approximately 200 to 300
metres downstream from the subject site.
Habitats within the work area are likely to be destroyed during construction. It is expected that once the
works are complete that this stretch of the river will once again provide good habitats as has been seen
along other rock linings within the river.
Effects on public access will be apparent while the works are being carried out. Public access will need to
be prevented to the river during the construction period due to health and safety reasons.
Although recognised as being within an area of significant cultural values (being near Te Motu o Poutoa) no
effects on these values have been specifically identified. A protocol for the Accidental Discovery of
Archaeological Sites has been developed between Tanenuiarangi Manawatu Incorporated and the PNCC.
The applicant is willing to adhere to the protocol.
Noise effects are not expected to be significant. There will only be 15 rock truck movements per day and
they are travelling on public roads and hours of work will be limited. The work site itself is some 500 metres
from the nearest dwellings and noise will be further mitigated by the existing stopbanks between the
worksite and dwellings.
The abovementioned adverse effects will only exist for a short duration, being one summer season. The
most significant longer term effect will be the visual effects from the permanent works. The works
proposed by the MWRC will result in the river being located closer to the right bank and the top of the rock
lining and groyne will be visible for most of the year on the left bank. It is expected that vegetation will
soon establish on the re‐grassed tracks minimising the visual effects of these.
It is considered that the effects on the immediate environment caused by the construction phase of the
project will be more than minor. Primarily this will be from the release of sediment to the Manawatu River
during the various works. While sediment release will be greatly mitigated by adherence to the
construction methodology and the installation of cofferdams, silt fences and sediment ponds it will not be
avoided entirely. Also the public's amenity will be affected during the construction phase with access being
prevented to this popular stretch of the river.
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