Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing scrub - A7532922

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application on or after 17 November 2022
• accordingly, the decision was made under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 / Land Act 1948 [delete one] including the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Clearing scrub

10 years

For the part of the consent that was granted:

Given the benefits it will have on the farming operation, the Commissioner of Crown Lands considers that consent to clear scrub should be approved for most of the area applied for. The ability for pastoral lessees to improve and maintain better country is crucial to support a viable farming operation. It is considered that the benefits to the farming operation such as being able to grow better pasture on the application area, for managing and mustering stock, and for pest control is significant. The conditions of the approval will ensure that larger, more diverse indigenous grey shrubland and inherent values associated with the natural systems are preserved.

For the part of the consent that was declined:

Given the advice of the DGC with regards to the inherent values within parts of the application areas, particularly the presence of threatened plants such as the tree daisy (Olearia fimbriata), and the adverse effects clearing will have on these, the Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined these areas should be declined.

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

1. That clearing of scrub by spraying with herbicide, for the purpose of eliminating woody weeds and reducing areas of natural grey scrub, be limited to the area as outlined in blue on the attached plan. 
2. No clearing/spraying of grey shrubland shall occur where it averages more than 1.5 metres in height. 
3. No aerial blanket/boom spraying shall occur within 20 metres of any wetland or flowing waterway. 
4. Where possible and practical, rocky outcrops are to be excluded from spraying. 
5. No herbicide spraying shall be undertaken in windy conditions. 
6. Preferably, Metsulfuron herbicide shall be used to spray grey shrubland, as this tends to have less detrimental effect on some indigenous plant species. 
7. Any equipment or machinery used for the clearing shall be cleaned of any soil or plant material at a location off Te Akatarawa Pastoral Lease prior to carrying out the clearing. 
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 Commissioner of Crown Lands or their delegate upon request. The helicopter company and pilot carrying out the spraying must hold the relevant qualifications/ratings for applying agrichemicals.  
9. In some areas, clearing maybe undertaken by terrestrial based methods, such as a side-by-side. 
10. Areas of spraying are to be walked through to identify target species before any spraying takes place. 
11. That all contractors and employees working on Te Akatarawa pastoral lease 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.