Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Planting indigenous and exotic trees for shelter belts. - A5530434

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.
   

Planting indigenous and exotic trees for shelter belts.

15 years with maintenance rights.

It is considered that there are farming benefits to the proposed tree planting in terms of stock welfare and soil conservation. Appropriate conditions can be applied to avoid, remedy or mitigate all of the effects on the land. The areas where the tree planting is proposed have been modified through past clearing, cultivation, oversowing and topdressing. The inherent values will not be adversely affected by the tree planting as long as only the native species specified are planted in areas shown in blue. These areas are adjacent to dryland blocks containing threatened flora and fauna species.

Consent is granted subject to the following conditions:

1. That the planting will only occur at the areas as indicated on the maps attached to the Notice of Decision.
2. That for those areas identified in blue, only native plant species will be used for the shelterbelt planting, and these shall only consist of those species listed in Condition 3.
3. Native plants approved for planting within all approved areas (identified in green and blue) are: 
   • Matagouri (Discaria toumatou) 
   • Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) 
   • Cassinia (Ozothamnus vauvilliersii) 
   • Scented tree daisy (Olearia odorata) 
   • Mountain wineberry (Aristotela fruticosa) 
   • Korokio (Corokia cotoneaster) 
   • Mingimingi (Coprosma propinqua) 
   • Coprosma intertexta 
   • Coprosma Dumosa 
   • Kowhai (Sophora microphylla) 
   • Bog pine (Halocarpus bidwillii) 
   • Mountain toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus) 
   • Halls totara (Podocarpus laetus) 
   • Mountain beech (Fuscospora cliffortoides)
4. Any tools and equipment used when planting must be clean and free from soil and plant fragments (especially seeds).
5. All plants, mulch and/or soil going into the site must be free from weeds.
6. Soil disturbance while planting must be minimised by only clearing vegetation to dig the hole at each plant site (i.e. vegetation is not to be cleared across the entire planting area).
7. For the areas identified in green, any exotic trees planted shall be limited to non-spreading species within the attached brochure, “The Right Tree for Your Place”. Species not included in the brochure, with the express approval, and at the the sole discretion of the Commissioner. For avoidance of doubt, native plant species, as identified in condition 3, may also be planted in these areas.
8. Preferably, all native plants should come from eco-sourced plants or seeds. That is, native species that are naturally occurring locally are to be planted. Plant stock should ideally be sourced from on the property, however plants may also be sourced from the local area (first preference being Omarama Ecological District; second preference being Ahuriri Ecological District).
9. Areas approved for planting may be replanted should the initial plantings fail to establish.
10. That all contractors and employees working on Ahuriri Downs Station are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to the works starting.

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