Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Carrying sheep and cattle - A7398670

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.

Carrying sheep and cattle

Personal to Holder

The Commissioner of Crown Lands grants consent to an exemption to the stock limitation in the lease to allow the leaseholder to carry the following stock:

• 6,550 sheep (including not more than 3,500 breeding ewes)
• 750 cattle (including not more than 400 breeding cows) 

The Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that based on the level of development that has occurred on the wider Mt Dalgety property, the level of stocking detailed above is within the sustainable carrying capacity of the pastoral lease, on an annualised basis. It is considered that the lease can support the number of stock units indicated without having a detrimental effect on the land provided the above conditions are complied with. This decision to grant reflects the Lessee’s desire to realise the reasonable benefits from investment in developing the wider Mt Dalgety property, while ensuring the potential risk of adverse effects to inherent values is minimised.

Consent is granted for a stock exemption subject to the following conditions: 

1. That the Mt Dalgety pastoral lease land continues to be farmed in conjunction with approximately 713 ha of freehold land.
2. That no more than 400 cattle (including not more than 400 breeding cows) may be run on the pastoral lease land. In addition, cattle shall not be stocked on the pastoral lease land for longer than 8 weeks in any calendar year.
3. No cattle are permitted on the pastoral lease from 15th June to 30th September.
4. That stocking rates are managed in all blocks at a level that prevents excessive grazing and trampling of tussock grasslands, indigenous shrublands, streams and wetlands, to avoid damage to inherent values.
5. Active control of pest animals e.g. wallaby and deer, is to be maintained. Should it be determined that pest animals have increased to a level that impacts on the carrying capacity of the lease, the Commissioner may instruct the lessee to reduce stocking on the lease accordingly.
6. If determined that cattle are causing deterioration to land quality and/or adverse effects to inherent values, then the Commissioner may instruct the lessee to destock affected areas and/or reduce the number of cattle on the lease.
7. Developed paddocks shall be maintained by regular applications of fertiliser and seed as required. 

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