Discretionary pastoral activity decision for Wairua Downs - Clearing scrub - A5199112

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application before 17 November 2022
• the decision was made under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 before the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Clearing scrub

5 years

Granting the consent will make it easier to use the land for farming purposes by opening up areas of scrub to allow stock movement, improved grazing opportunities and enabling easier control of wallabies and feral pigs.

Consent is granted for clearing scrub, subject to the following conditions:

1. Clearing will only occur within the areas shown as being approved on the map attached.
2. Clearing may be carried out using a helicopter or by hand-held methods. The Lessee shall ensure that the GPS records from any helicopter spraying, showing where herbicide has been applied, are retained for at least 5 years after the spraying has occurred and supply these records to the Commissioner upon request.
3. Aerial spraying will be conducted by an authorised and competent practitioner who holds a CAA Part 137 Agricultural Operations certificate.
4. Spraying should be conducted only when conditions are such that spray drift is kept to a minimum.
5. Any aerial blanket spraying will seek to reduce the amount of collateral damage to non-target species to a minimum. This will be through the actual application and by using herbicides or concentrations of herbicides that are less harmful to native species (except matagouri).
6. At least a 20m strip either side of any permanently flowing or seasonal watercourse is to be excluded from blanket spraying by helicopter.
7. Any equipment or machinery used for the clearing shall be cleaned of any soil or plant material at a location off the Wairua Downs pastoral lease prior to carrying out the clearing.
8. The consent can be revoked before the end of the term at the discretion of the Commissioner of Crown Land should the conditions of the consent not be complied with.
9. Be aware that marginal strips may be present within the Approved Area. These are administered by the Department of Conservation and are excluded from this consent.
10. That all contractors and employees of Wairua Downs Limited are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to the cultivation works starting.

The Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 provides that permission to undertake the activity may still be needed under other enactments.