Easement decision - Conveying telecommunications and electricity - A7200491

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application on or after 17 November 2022
• accordingly, the decision was made under the Land Act 1948 including the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Conveying telecommunications and electricity

35 years

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that it would be appropriate to grant an easement in gross to Rural Connectivity Group Limited, for the purposes of providing a telecommunications facility site and access to the site, as shown on the plans attached. The primary purpose of the installation is to improve public safety along Awatere Valley Rd, a popular back-country tourist route. It will also improve localised mobile phone coverage and have facility for at least one other Wireless Internet Service Provider to utilise the site. The wider telecommunications infrastructure programme, which is being undertaken in partnership with the New Zealand Government, will deliver more mobile and wireless broadband coverage to rural New Zealand. 

Potential adverse effects on inherent values from the proposed easement are considered to be no more than minor, and the terms of this consent and the easement document will avoid, remedy or mitigate any potential effects on inherent values. 

Consent is granted for an easement, subject to the following conditions: 

1. Maximum track width 5m including batters and spillover. 
2. Uphill batters to be sloped off or struck back to minimise slumping and allow vegetation to re-establish. 
3. The track is to be sloped at approximately 3-4cm per metre (2 degrees) in towards the bank and a water table constructed to provide free drainage of water to safe disposal via culverts and/or frequent cut-offs. 
4. Any culverts and cut-offs to be constructed with adequate protection at inlet and outlet to prevent erosion. Run-off transfer should be to an area where any sediment can settle or be filtered by vegetation before it reaches a waterway. 
5. The track must be maintained and kept clear of debris that could impede drainage. 
6. Soil and rock disturbed for the telecommunications facility is to be kept to a minimum and re-distributed around the site. 
7. Trenching may be undertaken to connect the telecommunications facility to the adjacent power source, and disturbed soil is to be reinstated. 
8. All disturbed soil is to be re-sown with a pasture mix approved by the Lessee. 
9. Any off-farm machinery and vehicles are to be cleaned prior to entry to the property to minimise the possibility of weed infestation. 

Easements granted by the Commissioner of Crown Lands also incorporate (with minor variations) the terms set out in Appendix G of the Standard for purchase, alienation, and administration of Crown land - LINZS45002.