Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing indigenous vegetation - A8263113

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 including the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.
   

Clearing indigenous vegetation

10 years

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that the proposed clearing will have significant benefits in terms of improving the availability of grazing, improving stock access and access for farm management, reducing the risk of cattle poisoning from tutu, and may also allow indigenous plants to grow rather than being outcompeted by invasive weed species. It is considered that these benefits can be achieved with a less than minor effect on the inherent values identified. These values include naturally uncommon and nationally important ecosystems, threatened indigenous plants and habitat for Threatened and At Risk indigenous fauna.

Consent is granted for clearing indigenous vegetation, 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. Clearing, by spraying agrichemicals, is specific to the target species (gorse, introduced broom, wilding pines and native tutu) with all practical steps undertaken to avoid spraying other indigenous woody and non woody species. 
3. No spraying shall occur within 10 m of any waterways or wetlands.
4. No spraying shall occur within 10 m of any rocky outcrops.
5. No spraying shall be undertaken in windy conditions.
6. Spraying may be carried out using a helicopter or by hand-held methods.  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 or their delegate upon request. The helicopter company and pilot carrying out the spraying must hold the relevant qualifications/ratings for applying agrichemicals.
7. Any equipment or machinery used for the spraying shall be cleaned of any soil or plant material at a location off the Snowdale pastoral lease prior to carrying out the clearing.
8. All contractors and employees working on Snowdale 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.