Discretionary pastoral activity decision for Mt Albert - Tracking - A5453673

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.

Tracking

5 years with maintenance rights

The Commissioner’s delegate has determined that granting consent to disturb soil to create two tracks is appropriate.

The formation of ‘Track A’ will re-establish safe and secure access for the Station’s stock and vehicles. This area is a crucial access point for the station and the existing tracking has been damaged by the adjacent Makarora River.

Track B has remnants of an existing tracking through open and overgrown wooded areas. Maintaining this track for stock and vehicle access is important for ongoing farm and pest plant management.

Subject to granting consent, the conditions outlined above will also protect the associated inherent values.

Consent is granted to form two tracks as shown on the attached plan of Mt Albert pastoral lease, subject to the following conditions:

1. That track formation is limited to the approved areas as shown on the attached plan to the Notice of Decision.
2. That material removed during the building of the track to be used on site.
3. That soil disturbance associated with the construction of tracking is kept to the minimum required to meet the objectives.
4. Construction is be undertaken with a digger, rather than a bulldozer.
5. That all machinery intended to be used to construct the track is cleaned of plant material and soil prior to arriving on site to avoid weed contamination.
6. That all contractors and employees working on Mt Albert Station under this consent notice are informed of the conditions prior to the works commencing.

Track A (approximately 250m):

7. Avoid runoff during construction and ongoing use through appropriate water tables that do not channel sediment into water bodies including the Makarora River.
8. Creek crossings to be subject to the minimal disturbance to establish a firm crossing and not to restrict fish passage.
9. Construction to minimise disturbance whilst creating a safe track surface not more than 3m wide.

Track B (approximately 1,030m):

10. No established trees to be removed.
11. If any metal, shingle or rock is brought to the site for infilling, it must be from a weed free source (and preferably from within the station).
12. Construction to minimise disturbance whilst creating a safe track surface not more than 2.4m wide.

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