Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Soil disturbance - A6976011

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.

Soil disturbance

10 years with maintenance rights

Given the farming benefits of the request and also the advice of the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Commissioner of Crown Lands considers it appropriate to grant this request to disturb the soil for fencing on the indicated areas. It is considered that any adverse effects on inherent values can be adequately avoided, remedied or mitigated by the proposed conditions. Disturbing the soil to allow the construction of stock proof fences will make it easier to farm and will result in cost savings over the long term through reduced maintenance costs and better control of grazing. There will also potentially be benefits to the land as the stock will become more evenly distributed through the Mt Dalgety lease, and by being able to more effectively rotate stock through the various Blocks, grazing pressure and vegetation growth can be more effectively managed.

Consent is granted for disturbing soil, subject to the following conditions:

1. That the soil disturbance for fencing will occur within the area as indicated on the map attached to the Notice of Decision. Some variation is permitted to allow the fence to follow natural benching on the slopes and to avoid areas of scrub or wetland.
2. Any machinery brought in to carry out the soil disturbance shall be cleaned to remove any possible weed contamination prior to carrying out the work.
3. Soil disturbance will be limited to the minimum amount required to prepare the ground for fencing. Where no benching/soil disturbance is required on areas of flat or easy contour, soil disturbance is limited to the driving of machinery along the line without active clearing of any vegetation or disturbing the soil (e.g. the blade of a bulldozer is not lowered) and fence posts are driven into the ground without the formation of a bench.
4. The use of vehicles away from existing tracks should be minimised.
5. Where the soil disturbance in Summer Block corresponds with the location of any approved tracking near/along the ridgeline of the Dalgety Range, the fence must be located along the edge of the track. That is, no additional soil disturbance for the fence will occur where a track is to be formed.
6. Soil disturbance is to avoid any native brooms that might be present, where possible.
7. No soil disturbance shall occur over any wetland areas that might be present along the line of the fence.
8. No mechanical soil disturbance shall occur within 5 metres of any waterway.  Soil disturbance within 5 metres of a waterway shall be restricted to handheld methods only and all practical measures are undertaken during proposed works to minimise disturbance to waterways and riparian zones.
9. That appropriate Regional or District Council resource consent be obtained, if required, prior to the work starting.
10. That all contractors and employees of Lisburn Farms Ltd are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to the soil disturbance works starting

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