Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Disturbing soil & clearing scrub - A6148302

For this decision summary: 

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

Disturbing soil & clearing scrub

10 years with maintenance rights

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that there are benefits to farming from allowing the lessee to disturb soil and clear scrub for the purposes of constructing a fence to contain stock on a semi-developed face. More efficient grazing management will improve pasture production and allow it to be better utilised by stock for exotic woody weed control. Control of exotic woody weeds will also benefit indigenous vegetation in the wider area. Being able to carry out this activity will therefore make it easier to use the land concerned for farming purposes, and the conditions recommended will promote good management practice and mitigate effects on inherent values identified in the area.

Consent is subject to the following conditions:

1. Soil disturbance and scrub clearance may be undertaken along the blue line on the plans attached, up to 4 m in width (including spill and batters), for the purposes of scraping new fence lines.
2. Soil disturbance is to be kept to the minimum required to clear the line.
3. Any spill is to be positioned in a way that prevents sediment reaching waterways, seeps and wetlands.
4. Disturbance of rocklands is to be avoided.
5. Disturbed soil is to be re-seeded as soon as possible with pasture seed certified as being free of weed seeds and impurities.
6. Any uphill batters are to be sloped off or struck back to minimise slumping and allow re-grassing.
7. If required, cut-offs are to be constructed with adequate protection to prevent erosion, and run-off transfer should be to an area where sediment can settle or be filtered by vegetation before reaching any waterway, seep or wetland.
8. Any floodgates are to be separately strained and swing freely to avoid blockage of the creek.
9. Any contractor machinery or equipment and vehicles are to be steam cleaned prior to entry to the property to minimise the possibility of weed infestation. Any fuel and oil storage facilities are to be sited to eliminate the possibility of a leak or spill into waterways.
10. The lessee is responsible for ensuring any contractor operates under the conditions of this consent.

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