Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Maintaining tracks - A7306037

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.

Maintaining tracks

Ongoing maintenance

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that the benefits to farming from allowing the lessee to maintain existing tracks on Little Mt Ida pastoral lease outweigh the desirability of protecting inherent values. The conditions requiring appropriate management will minimise the potential for adverse effects on inherent values.

Consent is granted for maintaining existing tracks, subject to the following conditions:

1. The consent is limited to maintaining existing tracks shown by the red lines on the plan attached.
2. Existing tracks may be maintained up to a maximum width of 3m plus any spill and batters.
3. Any uphill batters are to be sloped off or struck back to minimise slumping and allow re-grassing.
4. If required, cut-offs are to be constructed with adequate protection to prevent erosion, and run-off transfer should be to an area where any sediment can settle or be filtered by vegetation before reaching any waterway.
5. Tracks are to be sloped at approximately 3-4cm per metre (2 degrees) in towards the bank and a water table constructed to provide free drainage of water to safe disposal via cut-offs.
6. Any culverts on waterways must allow for fish passage. Refer to the guidelines attached.
7. Any track surface material brought onto the lease must be free of weed seeds.
8. In areas where exotic pasture species are already present, disturbed soil from track maintenance is to be re-seeded and topdressed with a certified weed and impurities-free permanent pasture mix as soon as possible after completion of the activity. In native areas, disturbed soil is to be left to regenerate naturally.
9. Tracks must be maintained and kept clear of debris that could impede drainage.
10. Any contractor machinery and vehicles are to be cleaned prior to entry to the property to minimise the possibility of weed infestation.  Any fuel and oil storage facilities are to be sited to eliminate the possibility of a leak or spill into any waterways.
11. The lessee is responsible for ensuring any contractor operates under the conditions of this consent.

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