Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Forming tracks - A6483302

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.
   

Forming tracks

10 years with maintenance rights

The Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that the benefits from the track formation and/or upgrade are considerable and will make the land easier to farm. The tracking will support the harvesting and transport of logs and also provide a viable alternative for the farming operation should the main northern track be rendered impassable.  The areas are within parts of the lease that have already been developed through cultivation, oversowing and/or topdressing, and with appropriate conditions there should be little to no adverse effects beyond those already occurring.

Consent is granted for forming tracks, subject to the following conditions:

1. Easements granted by the Commissioner of Crown Lands also incorporate (with minor variations) the terms set out in Appendix G of That track formation and upgrade is limited to the approximate areas as indicated on the map attached to the Notice of Decision. Some variation to the location is permitted to avoid areas of scrub or wetland, or where it will reduce the amount of soil disturbance required to form the track.
2. That track construction should comply with the rules of Mackenzie District Council District Plan (2023) for Earthworks and Tracking.
3. The formed tracks shall be no wider than 4 metres, except where a wider width is necessary to allow a logging truck to corner (Track B).
4. That soil disturbance and vegetation clearance is kept to the minimum required to meet the Lessee’s objectives when establishing the track and that appropriate machinery is employed on the task to achieve this. Existing routes shall be used wherever possible.
5. That Track B should be suited to logging trucks only where this is needed. Otherwise, tracks are to be established so that they are suitable for appropriate farm vehicles and stock management.
6. Wetland areas, if present, are to be protected and not disturbed (including avoiding the discharge of water off the new track into these areas). Any seepages or creek crossings shall be dealt with through the installation of appropriately placed culverts.

7.    Significant stands of native tussock or old growth matagouri are to be avoided.

8. That all machinery intended to be used to construct the track is cleaned of plant material and soil prior to entering Glen Lyon Station to avoid weed contamination.
9. That any cuts and fill be battered to ensure stability and shaped so they blend into the surroundings and are suitable for re-vegetation.
10. That once the track has been formed and gravel laid, any remaining disturbed ground is oversown and topdressed following construction, to avoid visible bare ground.
11. Damage to archaeological sites should be avoided, or an Archaeological Authority from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will be required.
12. In the event of any accidental discovery of any archaeological sites, work must stop, and the accidental discovery protocol should be followed. The Lessee should then advise Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga of the discovery.
13. Where there is a possibility that fish may be present in the waterway, culverts shall comply with the New Zealand Fish Passage Guidelines (New Zealand fish passage guidelines – available on the NIWA website).
14. That all contractors and employees of Glen Lyon Station engaged in the track formation/upgrade are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to the tracking works starting.

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