Chapter 5 - Landscape 5.2.2 Structures on Water Similarly the siting, bulk and design of structures and equipment located on the surface of water can interrupt the consistency of seascape values and detract from the natural seascape character of a bay or wider area. 5.2.3 Land Disturbance Roads and tracks can be highly visible within the landscape where they cut across the faces of hills or where their construction requires substantial earthworks and landform change. Sensitive design and construction can minimise some of these adverse effects but in other visually prominent situations it may be that the visual effects are unable to be mitigated and the alignment is simply inappropriate. Similarly the earthworks associated with creating building platforms can be highly visible within the landscape. In some situations vegetation rehabilitation can mitigate or remedy the effect over time. In others the highly prominent location of the site may mean that no amount of subsequent mitigation would reduce the significance of the adverse landscape effect. Mining can have significant detrimental effects on visual landscape values where open cast methods are used. 5.2.4 Change of Vegetation Cover Changes in land use practices and crops grown can have significant visual effects. The change from pastoral farming to production pine forestry has been significant throughout the Sounds and the hinterland. It is part of the cycle of change within the working landscape of the area and is not necessarily a detrimental change wherever it occurs. In the context of some landscapes and features, though, the removal of significant indigenous cover and replanting with exotic species could have a detrimental effect on the landscape. Some changes in vegetation can enhance the landscape values of an area. 5.2.5 Subdivision The visual effects of human settlement are the intrusion of structures and land disturbance mentioned above. The act of subdivision of land is instrumental in determining where new building development and roading is to be located. Although the legal process of subdivision itself does not cause direct visual effects, the activities and patterns of development which follow it can be significant (new boundary fencing, new land management practices, new buildings, roads and jetties). 5.3 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 Management of the visual quality of the Sounds and protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. Policy 1.1 Avoid, remedy and mitigate adverse effects of subdivision, use and development, including activities and structures, on the visual quality of outstanding natural features and landscapes, identified according to criteria in Appendix One. 5 3