Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Cultivation and cropping - A5532847

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

Cultivation and cropping

10 years with maintenance rights

For the part of the consent that was granted

Cultivation and cropping is approved in the areas outlined in blue on the plans attached subject to the conditions below.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that there are benefits to farming from allowing the lessee to cultivate and crop discrete areas within Mt Thomas Block to improve pasture quality and stock management and increase the resilience of the farming operation. 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 the identified inherent values.

For the part of the consent that was declined

Cultivation and cropping is declined in the areas outlined in red on the plans attached. 

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that 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 cultivate and crop.

Consent is granted for cultivation and cropping in the areas outlined in blue on the plans attached, subject to the following conditions:

1. The areas shown outlined in blue may be cultivated for the purposes of growing feed or forage for livestock on Mt Thomas Block.
2. Cultivation is to be set back a minimum of 10m from any permanent and seasonal waterways, seeps and wetlands, with the exception of the northern end of the area labelled “Area 1” which is to have a 20m setback.
3. Cultivation is to be by direct drilling only and soil is to be bare for as short a period as possible to minimise the risk of erosion.
4. The area may be feed cropped for two consecutive years before being established to permanent pasture. Crops may include ryecorn or brassicas only.
5. Permanent pasture may include a mix of cocksfoot, timothy, ryegrass, plantain, clovers and lucerne.
6. The areas may be re-cultivated not more frequently than ten yearly intervals, subject to the conditions of this consent and any other local and regional authority rules.
7. Adequate fertiliser is to be applied to maintain a healthy sward without soil depletion, and soil testing is to be undertaken to inform fertiliser requirements and to avoid over-application of nutrients, particularly phosphorus.
8. Records shall be kept of the areas cultivated annually and provided to the Commissioner of Crown Lands or his delegate, upon request, to ensure ongoing compliance with this consent.
9. Only seed certified as being free of weed seeds and impurities is to be sown.
10. All machinery brought to the site to carry out any work under this consent should be cleaned of any earth and plant material prior to access.
11. Good management practices are to be undertaken to avoid excessive pugging that could result in sediment, E.coli and nutrients reaching waterways and wetlands.
12. As part of the cultivation process, levelling may be undertaken within the area labelled “Area 1” or “Area 2” for the purposes of an airstrip.
13. That all contractors and employees operating under this consent are informed of the conditions prior to commencing any cultivation activities.

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

Consent is declined for cultivation and cropping in the areas outlined in red on the plans attached.