Discretionary pastoral activity decision for Mt Algidus - Clearing scrub and soil disturbance - A4994849

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 and soil disturbance

5 years (with maintenance rights)

It is considered that there will be significant benefits to farming from the clearing and construction of these new fences. It is also important that decent, stock proof fences are constructed to control stock in these areas where oversowing and topdressing have been approved. Some adverse impact on matagouri scrub and its bird, reptile, and invertebrate communities, and from habitat fragmentation may occur. But for these approved areas, this impact is expected to be minimal. It is considered that the benefits to farming and protection of waterways from the scrub clearance, and soil disturbance at these locations, outweigh the potential impact on the inherent values

Consent is granted for the clearing of scrub and disturbance of soil, subject to the following conditions:

1. The clearing will only occur within the areas shown as being approved on the attached map.
2. This consent also authorises minor soil disturbance for the fencing where this is required to enable a stock proof fence to be constructed. Any disturbed ground shall have seed sown within 4 weeks of the disturbance to encourage vegetation recovery.
3. Vegetation clearance and soil disturbance shall be kept to the minimum required to construct fences easily and safely. The maximum width of the clearing shall be 3m. Where practical the line of the fence shall utilise natural clearings in the matagouri scrub to further reduce the amount of clearing necessary.
4. There shall be no mechanical clearing of scrub or soil disturbance within 5m either side of any waterway.
5. When clearing matagouri shrubland, all attempts to avoid the largest of the matagouri, especially those over 2m in height, are to be made.
6. Clearing may be carried out using a mulcher, dozer or other machinery, although ground disturbance shall be kept to a minimum.
7. The machinery used for the clearing shall be cleaned of any soil or plant material at a location off the Mt Algidus Pastoral Lease prior to carrying out the clearing.
8. Be aware that marginal strip and legal road may be present within the Operational Area. These are administered by the Department of Conservation and the Regional Authority, respectively, and those lands are excluded from this decision.
9. That all contractors and employees of Mt Algidus Station are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to the clearing works starting.

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