Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing scrub - A6927911

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

10 years

For the part of the consent that was granted

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that there are benefits to farming from allowing the lessee to strategically spray fertiliser-induced scrub to maintain grazing areas, enable stock access around blocks, keep mustering routes open, reduce vegetation in wool, reduce habitat for pests, and provide easier farm management access including for weed and pest control work. There are also conservation benefits from improved weed and pest control.  Being able to carry out this activity will 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. 

For the part of the consent that was declined

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that these areas contain inherent values related to indigenous vegetation and rock outcrops that are desirable to protect and that would be adversely affected by granting consent to clear scrub.

Consent is granted in part for clearing scrub, subject to the following conditions:

1. Spraying scrub may not be undertaken within the areas outlined in pink on the attached plans, which comprise rock outcrops or indigenous vegetation.
2. Spraying is to be set back 10m from any non-consented indigenous forest, mature shrublands and wetlands.
3. Spraying is to be carried out in weather conditions which avoid or keep collateral damage to indigenous vegetation to an absolute minimum.
4. Spraying is not permitted on water surfaces.
5. Spraying methods are to be adopted that ensure only the approved areas are sprayed. Any aerial spraying should be by an operator/pilot experienced in precision agricultural chemical application.
6. No aerial blanket/boom spraying shall occur within 10m of any flowing waterway.
7. Where possible and practical, rocky outcrops are to be excluded from spraying.
8. Only scrub specific herbicides are to be used, with regularly calibrated equipment.
9. Spraying is to be followed up with regular topdressing, and oversowing as required to maintain good vegetation cover.
10. Only seed certified as being free of weed seeds and impurities is to be sown.
11. Any equipment or machinery used for the clearing shall be cleaned of any soil or plant material at a location off The Jordan Station prior to carrying out the clearing.
12. That all contractors and employees working on The Jordan Station in relation to this consent are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to works starting.

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