Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing scrub - A6788111

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.

Clearing scrub

5 years with maintenance rights

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that granting consent to clear scrub will make it easier to use the land for farming purposes, and that any adverse effects on inherent values can be minimised through compliance with the conditions specified above once land is cleared it is considered appropriate to allow the cleared areas to be maintained. The conditions imposed are to ensure that the scrub clearance within the consented area does not adversely affect inherent values including mature grey scrub, kanuka, and waterways; that are desirable to protect.

Consent to clear scrub is granted, subject to the following conditions:

1. Scrub clearance is limited to the approved spray areas as shown on the attached plan to the Notice of Decision.
2. No spraying shall occur within 10 metres of any waterways or wetlands.
3. Where practicable avoid large rocky outcrops and mature grey scrub (<1.5m).
4. No spraying within the large areas of kanuka along the Clutha/Mata-au.
5. Scrub clearance applied by chemical is to be in accordance with current best practise guidelines to avoid unnecessary damage to native vegetation and waterways, with the use of targeted spraying with GPS to achieve the above.
6. Providing consent is obtained, oversowing and topdressing sprayed areas within 12 months of spraying to reduce recolonization.
7. Follow-up spot spraying of any re-infestation of exotic plant species is permitted.
8. Any helicopter company employed to carry out the spraying shall hold an Agricultural Aircraft Operations 137 certificate.
9. That all contractors and employees working on Gorge Creek Station under this consent notice are informed of the conditions prior to the works commencing.

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