Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Cultivation - A5612534

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

5 years with maintenance rights

For the part of the consent that was granted

The Commissioner has determined that granting consent to cultivate and crop has positive farming benefits and complying with the below conditions will protect inherent values present. Conditions have been imposed to ensure that the adverse impact of cultivating and cropping the area will be minimised to protect the soil from any kind of erosion.

For the part of the consent that was declined

The Commissioner has determined that while granting consent to cultivate and crop in its current form has positive farming benefits, the Commissioner has determined that the desirability of protecting inherent values outweighs the desirability of making it easier to use the land concerned for farming purposes within these areas. The Commissioner has assessed that species such as Convolvulus verecundus (threatened-nationally vulnerable) are present, largely confined to the upper Waitaki and Mackenzie Basin and need to be protected.

Consent is granted in part for cultivation, subject to the following conditions:

1. Cultivation is to be set back a minimum of 10m from any permanent waterways, seeps, and wetlands, and that any areas of rocky outcrops within the granted areas, are not to be developed.
2. This consent includes sowing up to two crops of ryecorn followed by establishment of permanent pasture.
3. Restricting seeds sown to Lucerne, pasture grasses, clovers or ryecorn.
4. Cultivation is restricted to direct drilling only and soil is to be bare for as short a period as possible to minimise the risk of erosion.
5. Only seed certified as being free of weed seeds and impurities is to be sown.
6. This consent includes consent to clear light scrub as part of the cultivation activity within the granted areas as shown in the attached map.
7. Once developed, the area is to be maintained with adequate fertiliser to maintain a healthy sward without soil depletion. Soil testing is to be undertaken to inform fertiliser requirements and to avoid over-application of nutrients.
8. Once developed, pasture renewal through a similar cycle may occur at intervals of not less than eight years.
9. 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.
10. 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 to sow permanent pasture on approximately 38ha, as shaded red on the attached map.