Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing scrub - A7166087

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 indigenous shrubland and ‘At Risk’ plant species; that are desirable to protect.

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

1. Scrub clearance is limited to targeted species of invasive exotic pest plants and matagouri, over the approved areas as shown on the attached plan and limited to 10m either side of a fence line or centre line of a track, and 20m for a stock route.
2. No spraying shall occur within 10 metres of any waterway or wetland.
3. Older indigenous shrubland >1.5m and ’At Risk’ plant species e.g. Olearia lineata, Olearia odorata, Carmichaelia petriei and Carmichaelia compacta, are to be avoided. When clearing (e.g. chemical spraying) targeted species within areas of other indigenous vegetation, all attempts are to be made to avoid indigenous vegetation.
4. Scrub clearance by chemical application is to be in accordance with current best practise guidelines to avoid unnecessary damage to indigenous vegetation and waterways, with the use of targeted spraying with GPS to achieve the above.
5. No disturbance to NZAA recorded archaeological sites.
6. In the event of an accidental discovery of any archaeological sites, work will stop, and the lessee shall advise Heritage New Zealand of the discovery.
7. Oversowing and top-dressing of cleared areas within 12 months of disturbance to reduce erosion risk and reduce any invasive weed recolonization.
8. Follow-up spot spraying of targeted species is permitted.
9. Any helicopter company employed to carry out the spraying shall hold an Agricultural Aircraft Operations 137 certificate.
10. 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.