Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Tracking - A5500978

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

Five years (with ongoing maintenance rights).

It is considered that the proposed tracks will provide a significant benefit to the farming operation and that most of the adverse effects on inherent values can be avoided, remedied or mitigated. It is considered that the effect on native vegetation will be minimal and the benefits from the tracks are considered to outweigh any adverse effects on natural values. However, for the tracks where heritage values may be present, an assessment by a qualified archaeologist must be carried and notified to Land Information New Zealand prior to construction works. The assessment shall determine whether these tracks should be constructed, and if so, any conditions that should be applied to the works in addition to those included in this Notice of Decision.

Consent is granted, subject to the following conditions:

1. That the new track formations are limited to the areas as indicated on the map attached to this Notice of Decision.
2. That a heritage assessment is undertaken by a qualified archaeologist on the tracks identified as Track A and Track C on the map attached to this Notice of Decision, to determine the effects to mining values and whether track construction is appropriate. The heritage assessment advice must be notified to Land Information New Zealand for review and approval prior to any works beginning on either Track A or Track C.
3. If the heritage assessment required under condition 1(a) 2 above determines that track construction is possible, then the recommendations by the qualified archaeologist must be adhered to and all other required heritage consents (such as an Archaeological Authority from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga for modifying an archaeological site) must be obtained before any track works commence. If the assessment determines that the tracks should not be constructed on or through a heritage site, then no tracking at these sites shall occur. 
4. Any new tracking is to be a maximum width of 4 metres.
5. That soil disturbance and vegetation clearance is kept to the minimum required to meet the Lessee objectives when establishing the track and that appropriate machinery is employed on the task to achieve this.
6. That there shall be no use of a bulldozer to form the track within 5 metres of any waterway, either ephemeral or permanently flowing. Extra care shall be taken around waterways to avoid or reduce sediment from entering the waterway as much as practically possible.
7. Any new tracking shall avoid rocky outcrops and wetlands (both permanent and ephemeral) wherever possible.
8. That all machinery intended to be used to construct the track is cleaned of plant material and soil prior to entering The Beeches I to avoid weed contamination.
9. That any cuts and fill be battered to ensure stability and shaped, so they blend into the surroundings and are suitable for re-vegetation.
10. Any seepages or stream crossings shall be dealt with through the installation of appropriately placed culverts or natural rock armouring.
11. That once the track has been formed, any disturbed ground is oversown and topdressed following construction, to avoid visible bare ground.
12. The tracking is to be undertaken to the standards outlined (where appropriate) in sections 4-11 of the Guidelines for the Construction of Access Tracks and Firebreaks (National Water and Soil Conservation Organisation 1980), a copy of which is appended.
13. That all contractors and employees carrying out the tracking work on The Beeches I are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to the tracking work starting.

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