Discretionary pastoral activity decision for The Beeches I - Cropping and cultivation - A5201643

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.

Cropping and cultivation

Ongoing

The ability to carry out congoing cropping and cultivation on these areas will provide a significant benefit to the farming operation and most of the adverse effects on inherent values can be avoided, remedied or mitigated. In particular, the conditions will prevent cultivation extending into any area that has not previously been cultivated.

Consent is granted for ongoing cropping and cultivation, subject to the following conditions:

1. Ongoing cropping/cultivation is limited to the approved areas as indicated on the attached map.
2. Within the approved areas, ongoing cropping/cultivation will only occur on areas where previous cropping/cultivation has occurred.
3. No new areas within the areas approved for ongoing cultivation will be cultivated. That is, cultivation shall not be extended any closer to any waterway or heritage site comprising mine tailings or water races.
4. No more than three years for break crops or annual or short-term grasses may be planted when cultivating for permanent pasture renewal. Break crops cannot include lupins or other species likely to spread.
5. The cultivation cycle is not to be repeated at intervals of less than eight years.
6. Continued inputs of maintenance fertiliser are applied to extend the effective life of the permanent pasture to reduce the need and frequency for recultivation.
7. Minimum tillage techniques, like direct drilling will be the only cultivation techniques to be employed.
8. Cultivation will only occur when soil conditions are moist and there is little to no wind.
9. All machinery brought to the site to carry out any of the work should be cleaned of any earth and plant material prior to access to prevent the introduction of weeds from off site.
10. The Lessee shall keep records of the areas cultivated annually and provide these records to the Commissioner if requested.

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