Chapter 5 - Landscape Summary of Landscape Characteristics and Values of the Wairau/Awatere Landscape Places Landscape Features Visual Outstanding Landscape Type Character Areas Quality Sensitivity Dry hills Wither Hills Medium Low Lake Elterwater Medium High Low The Passes Medium Medium (Dashwood, Redwood, Taylor) The coast Cloudy Bay Medium High Boulder Bank and Medium High Yes High Wairau Lagoons White Bluffs Medium High Clifford Bay Medium Medium Awatere River Mouth Medium High Muritai Reserve Medium Medium Lake Grassmere Medium Low Marfells Beach Medium Medium Cape Campbell Medium High Cape Campbell to High Yes High Waima Coast Chancet Rocks High Yes High Ward Beach High Yes High Needles Point High Yes High Waima Mouth Medium High Waima to Willawa Medium High Medium 5.3 Issue Degradation of natural features and landscapes which have special characteristics. Significant Regional Features Within the Wairau/ Awatere Plan area, four natural features/ landscapes have been identified as outstanding in a regional context: (a) Lake Chalice (A predominantly indigenous natural feature) An attractive small mountain lake at the head of the Goulter River surrounded by steep bush clad slopes. Some forestry on the skyline to the south. Access is by foot. Chalice Hut is located nearby. Values Expressive of its formation and one of the few natural lakes in the Wairau catchment. It is very attractive - its blue water contrasts with the deep greens of the surrounding beech forest. The lake provides a habitat for both a landlocked galaxids population and koaro. Rare wildlife are found in adjacent areas. Introduction of built elements will contrast strongly unless very carefully sited and designed. 5 - 3