Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Tracking - A6944370

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.
   

Tracking

10 years with maintenance rights

New Tracks

The Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that the benefits from the track formation are considerable and will make the land easier to farm. The tracking will improve mustering access on the lease and with stock movements around the lease. Stock welfare checks will be able to be carried out more easily and general access around the lease for weed and pest control will be improved. The Summer Block fence will also allow transport of fencing materials to allow a better, stock proof fence to be constructed, and allow easier access for ongoing maintenance. While there are some risks to inherent values, any adverse effects on these can be avoided, remedied, reduced or mitigated by the proposed conditions.

Maintaining Existing Tracks

It is considered that the benefits to farming from maintaining the existing tracks on the lease are considerable and will make the land easier to farm. The conditions will help reduce, remedy, avoid or mitigate any effects on the inherent values and landscape.

Consent is granted for tracking, subject to the following conditions:

New Tracks

1. Track formation is limited to the areas, or as close as practicable to the areas, as indicated on the map attached.
2. All tracks shall be constructed in accordance with best practice protocols.
3. The Summer Block track width shall not exceed 4.5 metres to allow for construction of fencing along the edge of the track alignment. The Bottom Ewe track width shall not exceed 3 metres.
4. Soil disturbance is kept to the minimum necessary for the track formation and that appropriate machinery is employed on the task to achieve this.
5. For the track in Bottom Ewe Block, any disturbed ground has seed and fertiliser applied as soon as practical following the completion of works. Seeds that are to be sown should be in keeping with the surrounding areas.
6. The use of vehicles away from existing tracks during the track formation should be minimised.
7. Any Coral broom (Carmichaelia crassicaulis subsp. crassicaulis) or native broom (Carmichaelia australis) is avoided during track construction.
8. The alignment of the tracks shall minimise the slope and requirement for batters and cut and fill. Any cuts and fill shall be battered to ensure stability and shaped, so they blend into the surroundings.
9. Any culverts, if required, are placed in suitable locations to divert water from the tracks and reduce erosion.
10. All machinery intended to be used for forming the tracks is cleaned of plant material and soil prior to entering Mt Dalgety Station to avoid weed contamination.
11. Weed control will be undertaken along disturbed areas to prevent weed establishment.
12. The track construct should be carried out pursuant to the rules in the Mackenzie District Plan (2023) for Earthworks and Tracking (section 7 Rural Zone Rules, sub-section 4). 

Existing Tracks

13. Track maintenance is limited to the areas as indicated on the map attached to the Notice of Decision.
14. Any tracks constructed under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 and where the Notice of Decision is still on file, shall remain subject to the conditions of that Notice of Decision, rather than those conditions specified in this Notice of Decision.
15. Track maintenance shall only occur within the existing footprint of the tracks. None of the tracks shall be widened further.
16. Soil disturbance is kept to the minimum necessary for the maintenance and that appropriate machinery is employed on the task to achieve this.
17. The track may be maintained to a level suitable for the purpose for which they were designed.
18. All machinery intended to be used for maintaining the track is cleaned of plant material and soil prior to entering the Mt Dalgety pastoral lease to avoid weed contamination.
19. All contractors and employees working on Mt Dalgety Station engaged in the track maintenance 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.