The visual effects of the overburden disposal area expansion were assessed using six representative public viewpoints, from which visual simulations were prepared to illustrate the proposed changes compared with the scheme consented in 2017. The assessment found that while the proposal would result in adverse landscape and visual effects, these effects were generally at the low end of the scale and no more than minor.

The visual simulations successfully demonstrated the potential visual changes associated with the proposed expansion and helped secure resource consent for the client. By clearly communicating the likely outcomes to the consenting authority, the simulations provided confidence in the assessment of potential visual effects.

Subsequent photography undertaken in 2025 enabled comparison between the constructed overburden area and the 2019 simulations, demonstrating the accuracy of the visual modelling and forecasting.