Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Soil disturbance for fencing - A6274449

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.

Soil disturbance for fencing

10 years with maintenance rights

The Commissioner has determined that the subdivision fencing will have both farming and environmental benefits. The conditions if followed will minimise the risk of adverse effects from fence construction. Fencing the gullies to facilitate weed control is considered beneficial with the added benefit of excluding stock from waterways.

Consent is granted for soil disturbance, subject to the following conditions:

1. That the soil disturbance associated with the activity only occur within the areas as indicated on the maps attached. Should a significant deviation from those areas indicated in the attached maps be deemed necessary, further approval from the Commissioner of Crown Lands is required in advance.
2. Soil disturbance must not exceed the minimum necessary for safe construction of a sustainable fence.
3. The width of soil disturbance should not exceed 2.5 metres and, where practical, the general ground cover should remain intact.
4. Soil disturbance shall be undertaken utilising a light digger or excavator, rather than a bulldozer.
5. If removal of vegetation is required, cut-outs shall be installed every 30-50 metres in steeper sections, in order to minimise runoff and scouring.
6. The fence alignment shall avoid areas of indigenous shrubland, except where provided for by clause 11. A buffer of 10m shall be allowed between beech forest and the new fence lines. This will translate into some specific recommendations for individual fence lines.
7. Any crossings of waterways are to be constructed in a manner that will not alter the flow of water or impede fish passage.
8. Disturbed soil should be revegetated with vegetation consistent with the adjoining land as soon as possible.  Any introduced seed must be certified as weed free.
9. All machinery brought on site should be properly cleaned to avoid the introduction of weeds.
10. The consent can be amended or 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.
11. Specific requirements for individual fences:
    • A-B & M-N: Align the new fence line to avoid removing or damaging as much of the indigenous shrubland as possible.
    • C-B: Align the new fence line to avoid the thickest areas of indigenous shrubland and the beech trees.
    • F-G: Run fence line along outer edge of the shrubland above the track to avoid fragmentation of contiguous shrublands.
    • I-J: Align the new fence line to avoid the indigenous shrubland as much as possible. Leave single beech tree undisturbed.
    • K-L: Allow a buffer of 10m between the beech forest and new fence line. Control woody weed species within the 10m buffer zone. 

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