WBCWRR Project Visual Amenity

Why was a visual assessment done?

We know the look and feel of the landscape matters to the community. To understand how the West Burleigh Construction Waste and Resource Recovery Project (WBCWRR Project) might affect views, an independent Visual Impact Assessment was completed.

The assessment examined:

The existing quarry landform, which has already altered the natural landscape over time.

The proposed development, including the construction waste landfill and planned rehabilitation works.

How visible the site is from surrounding homes, roads, and public spaces.

Current site conditions

The visual character of the site today is influenced by several key features:

The existing quarry pit and infrastructure, including stockpiles, roads, site offices, and the asphalt and concrete plants.

A vegetated buffer around the perimeter.

Future planning considerations, such as the Queensland Rail heavy rail corridor, which may run along the southern edge of the site (with timing and design still to be confirmed).

How was visibility assessed?

The Visual Experts used reverse sightline analysis to identify five representative viewpoints (VPA–VPE) with potential views of the site. They also prepared photomontages and relied on technical drawings and reports to measure visual impact.

Key findings

Current views: The site already appears as a modified landscape due to quarrying.

Impact of landfill: The non-putrescible construction waste landfill will not increase visual impact compared to the current quarry. In fact, it will help reshape the landform to blend better with surrounding areas.

Magnitude of impact:

Low to moderate where visible from receptor groups

Rehabilitation will have a moderate to high positive impact, improving visual amenity over time

Post-rehabilitation:

The East Pit will become a grass-covered open space, creating a more natural and complementary landscape

Infrastructure areas will be screened and not visible from surrounding viewpoints

Information Request Response findings

The information request received from Council has been carefully reviewed, and the Visual Amenity experts confirm that the WBCWRR Project has been designed in a manner which ensures visual amenity impacts are appropriately managed and mitigated through the proposed rehabilitation outcomes. Their assessment concludes that the combination of project design, staging, and proposed rehabilitation measures will ensure that visual amenity is effectively protected over the life of the project.

What this means for you

The project will not worsen visual impacts than what already exists with the existing quarry.

As rehabilitation progresses, the site’s appearance will improve significantly, with new vegetation and restored landforms creating green open spaces.

In the long term, the final landscape will blend more effectively with the surrounding environment, offering a visual outcome that is better than the present condition.

Click to view the West Burleigh Construction Waste and Resource Recovery project visual amenity photomontage series