Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing scrub - A7130838

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

Given the farming benefits of the request and the advice of the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Commissioner of Crown Lands considers it appropriate to grant this request to clear scrub on the indicated areas.  It is considered that for those areas recommended for approval, any adverse effects on inherent values can be adequately avoided, remedied or mitigated by the proposed conditions. There shall be no clearing within 10m of a waterway or wetland, or 40m from the Snow River or Hankey Stream. Being able to clear these areas, followed by oversowing and topdressing, will also benefit the farming operation by allowing more feed to be grown. This will have benefits on stock numbers and stock condition. It will also allow for easier mustering of stock and reduce the cover for pests.

For the part of the consent that was declined

Given the advice of DOC and considering the assessed farming benefits, it is considered that for the identified areas the adverse effects on inherent values would be too great to allow clearing.  These areas have higher densities of older scrub, Threatened and At-Risk species, and/or greater diversity. Therefore, the Commissioner of Crown Lands has decided to decline clearing consent for the areas as indicated.

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

1. Clearing will only occur within the areas indicated as being approved as shown on the map attached to the Notice of Decision.
2. Any clearing/spraying is only targeted at matagouri. With the exception of matagouri that meets the criteria as outlined in these conditions, no indigenous vegetation shall be specifically targeting by spraying.
3. No clearing/spraying of matagouri shall occur where it averages more than 1.5m in height. In addition, no patches of matagouri may be cleared/sprayed where another indigenous species makes up greater than 10% of the total average cover.
4. Preferably, Metsulfuron herbicide shall be used to spray matagouri, as this tends to have less detrimental effect on Coprosma propinqua (mingimingi).
5. No clearing shall occur within 10m of any waterway or wetland, or within 40 m of the Snow River or Hankey Stream.
6. Where possible and practical, rocky outcrops are to be excluded from spraying.
7. No herbicide spraying shall be undertaken in windy conditions.
8. The lessee shall ensure that the GPS records from any helicopter spraying, showing where herbicide has been applied, are retained for at least 5 years after the spraying has occurred and supply these records to the CCL or his delegate upon request.  The helicopter company and pilot carrying out the spraying must hold the relevant qualifications/ratings for applying agrichemicals.
9. Any equipment or machinery used for the clearing shall be cleaned of any soil or plant material at a location off Mt Dalgety Station prior to carrying out the clearing.
10. All contractors and employees working on Mt Dalgety 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.

Consent is declined for clearing scrub for areas marked in red.