Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Clearing scrub - A5011068

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application before 17 November 2022
• the decision was made under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 before the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Clearing scrub

10 years

For the part of the consent that was granted

The benefits to farming from allowing the lessee to spray scrub include maintaining grazing areas, keeping mustering routes open, reducing vegetation in wool, and providing better farm management access including for weed and pest control work. Being able to carry out this activity will therefore make it easier to use the land concerned for farming purposes, and the conditions recommended will promote good management practice and mitigate effects on inherent values.

For the part of the consent that was declined

These areas contain inherent values related to indigenous vegetation and habitat for flora and fauna that are desirable to protect and that would be adversely affected by granting consent to clear scrub.

Consent is granted for clearing scrub, subject to the following conditions:

1. Spraying scrub is not permitted within the areas outlined in pink on the plans with the exception of the following:
   • Within the area labelled “Area B” on the plans, up to six stock access corridors of up to a maximum width of 15m each, may be sprayed.
   • Within the kanuka forest remnant labelled “Area B” on the plans, Old Man’s Beard may be spot sprayed.
2. Spraying scrub is not permitted on the rock outcrops shown outlined in yellow on the plans and a 10m setback is required. Any other rock outcrops are to be avoided.
3. Spraying scrub is not permitted within 50m of Medway River, and within 10m of any wetlands.
4. Spraying scrub is not permitted within 5m of any other waterways, with the exception of a periodic 15m wide stock access corridor across waterways if required.
5. Spraying steep and unstable faces which could become erosion-prone is to be avoided.
6. Spraying is not permitted on water surfaces.
7. Spraying methods are to be adopted that ensure only the approved area is sprayed. Spray applicators should be experienced in precision agricultural chemical application.
8. A record of aerial spray applications, preferably with GPS mapping, is to be maintained and provided to the Commissioner if requested.
9. Where possible, herbicides specific to matagouri and bracken are to be used.

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