Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Track maintenance - A6693687

For this decision summary: 

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

Track maintenance

Ongoing maintenance

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that, provided the activity remains in the areas identified on the plan attached, the activity has positive benefits for farming that will outweigh any negative effects to inherent values of the land he wishes to protect. The conditions requiring appropriate management will minimise the potential for adverse effects on inherent values. 

Consent is granted for track maintenance subject to the following conditions:

1. Maintenance of existing tracks may only occur within the areas as indicated on the plan attached to the Notice of Decision. Any deviation to the location of the works must have prior approval from the Commissioner. 
2. Maintenance of the track may be undertaken by a bulldozer or digger with vegetation clearance and soil disturbance to be kept to the minimum and confined to the footprint of the existing tracks. Any increase in width of the existing tracks must have prior approval from the Commissioner. 
3. All machinery and equipment intended to be used to maintain the tracks must be clean of plant matter and soil prior to entering the pastoral lease to avoid the introduction of pest plants.
4. Following maintenance of tracks any disturbed ground is to be sown using certified weed free pasture seed species which are consistent with the adjacent land. 
5. In the event of an accidental discovery of any archaeological sites, features or material that is likely to predate 1900, work must cease immediately, and the consent holder must advise Heritage New Zealand, and if required make an application for an archaeological authority pursuant to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. 
6. Resource consent(s) must be obtained from Mackenzie District Council and/or Environment Canterbury (ECAN) if deemed to be required prior to undertaking the activity. 
7. All contractors and employees of the consent holder are to be informed of the conditions of this consent and the requirement to comply with them prior to any track maintenance work commencing. 
8. Written notice is to be provided to the Commissioner that the activity has occurred within two weeks of the disturbance of the soil for the activity. 

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