and quanitative methods. the assessment was undertaken...

PAGE 23 CAPITAL II Wind Farm December 2010 VISUAL Impact Assessment 7.0 Visual Impact 7.1 Zone of Visual Influence The Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) identifies the areas of surrounding land from which the Wind Farm may be partially or completely visible. The ZVI has been determined through the use of digital topographic information and 3D modelling software. As accurate information on the height and coverage of vegetation and buildings is unavailable, it is important to note the ZVI is based solely on topographic information. Therefore this form of mapping should be acknowledged as representing the worst case scenario, in reality the zone of visibility of the Capital II Wind Farm is far less than that shown in the following ZVI figures. The ZVI focuses on distances less than 10km away as per the Director Generals Requirements. Although the proposed development may be visible from further than 10km away, distance limits visibility greatly. Figure 8 illustrates the extent to which the proposed wind turbines would be visible based on a wind turbine at a height of 157m above ground level (shown in blue). Due to the variation in visibility of the turbines, the ZVI has been divided into three figures, northern, central and southern group (as identified in figure 9). Each of these groups have been analysed as a single entity as well as the overall catchment. Following the development of the ZVI using a digital terrain model, detailed site investigations were undertaken to ground truth the findings and define a visual catchment for the proposal. The visual catchment essentially being the area of land which will have views to the wind turbines. It is from this analysis that viewpoint locations were selected for further investigation. The following section assesses the visual impact of the proposed wind farm through both qualitative and quanitative methods. The assessment was undertaken through the following methods: • Identification of the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) based on topography alone; • Assessment of significant viewpoints as identified from the ZVI; • Development of photomontages from viewpoints with the highest visual impact; • Assessment of the cumulative visual impacts based on existing and proposed development in the area. Section 7.5 summarises the overall visual impacts. 7.1.1 Zone of Visual Influence Process Figure 9: Zone of Visual Influence (based on topography), Overall Catchment. BUNGENDORE 10km distance 5km distance 2km distance SOUTHERN GROUP (Refer to Figure 12) CENTRAL GROUP (Refer to Figure 11) NORTHERN GROUP (Refer to Figure 10) 10.0km 5.0 0 LEGEND Proposed Wind Turbines Major Road Creekline 2km, 5km & 10km from proposed turbines Area from which the proposed wind turbines will not be visible. Area from which the proposed wind turbines will be partially or wholly visible, based on topography.

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PAGE 23

CAPITAL IIWind Farm

December 2010

VIS

UA

L Im

pact

Ass

essm

ent

7.0 Visual Impact

7.1 Zone of Visual Influence

The Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) identifies the areas of surrounding land from which the Wind Farm may be partially or completely visible. The ZVI has been determined through the use of digital topographic information and 3D modelling software.

As accurate information on the height and coverage of vegetation and buildings is unavailable, it is important to note the ZVI is based solely on topographic information. Therefore this form of mapping should be acknowledged as representing the worst case scenario, in reality the zone of visibility of the Capital II Wind Farm is far less than that shown in the following ZVI figures.

The ZVI focuses on distances less than 10km away as per the Director Generals Requirements. Although the proposed development may be visible from further than 10km away, distance limits visibility greatly.

Figure 8 illustrates the extent to which the proposed wind turbines would be visible based on a wind turbine at a height of 157m above ground level (shown in blue).

Due to the variation in visibility of the turbines, the ZVI has been divided into three figures, northern, central and southern group (as identified in figure 9). Each of these groups have been analysed as a single entity as well as the overall catchment.

Following the development of the ZVI using a digital terrain model, detailed site investigations were undertaken to ground truth the findings and define a visual catchment for the proposal. The visual catchment essentially being the area of land which will have views to the wind turbines. It is from this analysis that viewpoint locations were selected for further investigation.

The following section assesses the visual impact of the proposed wind farm through both qualitative and quanitative methods. The assessment was undertaken through the following methods:

• Identification of the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) based on topography alone;• Assessment of significant viewpoints as identified from the ZVI;• Development of photomontages from viewpoints with the highest visual impact;• Assessment of the cumulative visual impacts based on existing and proposed development in

the area.

Section 7.5 summarises the overall visual impacts.

7.1.1 Zone of Visual Influence Process

Figure 9: Zone of Visual Influence (based on topography), Overall Catchment.

BUNGENDORE

10km

dist

ance

5km

dist

ance

2km

dist

ance

SOUTHERN GROUP(Refer to Figure 12)

CENTRAL GROUP(Refer to Figure 11)

NORTHERN GROUP(Refer to Figure 10)

OLD WARRE

N ROAD

LEGENDOLD W

ARREN ROA

D

LEGEND

10.0km 5.0 0

LEGENDProposed Wind Turbines

Major Road

Creekline

2km, 5km & 10km from proposed turbines

Area from which the proposed wind turbines will not be visible.

Area from which the proposed wind turbines will be partially or wholly visible, based on topography.