Discretionary pastoral activity decision for Branch Creek - Oversowing and topdressing - A5617807

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.

Oversowing and topdressing

5 years with maintenance rights

For the part of the consent that was granted

OSTD of existing areas

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that granting consent to maintain existing oversowing and topdressing is desirable for sustainability and will make it easier to use the land for farming purposes, and that any adverse effects on inherent values can be minimised through compliance with the conditions specified below.

OSTD of new area

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that granting consent to oversow and topdress the area is desirable for sustainability and will make it easier to use the land for farming purposes. Inherent values that the Commissioner wishes to protect include wetlands, landscape values and indigenous vegetation and conditions ‘1-4’ below are required to achieve this. Condition ‘5’ is necessary as there is significant evidence of areas that have been oversown and topdressed and then not maintained reverting rapidly to hawkweeds.

For the part of the consent that was declined

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined if consent were granted this would adversely affect inherent values that the Commissioner wishes to protect including wetlands, landscape values and indigenous vegetation.

Consent is for oversowing and topdressing, subject to the following conditions for maintaining existing areas:

1. No seed to be sown or fertiliser applied within 20m of a stream or wetland. 
2. To be clear this consent replaces previous consents granted for OSTD to Branch Creek Pastoral Lease. This includes the Notice of Decision dated 5 July 2004 for topdressing and the Notice of Decision dated 28 July 2004 to sow seed. 
3. Oversowing and topdressing is to be carried out by an appropriately qualified operator/pilot capable of precision placement with appropriately calibrated equipment; and a written record of applications preferably with GPS mapping is to be maintained and provided to the Commissioner of Crown Lands if requested. 
4. That a hill country seed mix certified weed free is used. 
5. That subsequent grazing is managed to avoid the removal of tussock cover. 
6. That following initial oversowing the land is maintained with adequate fertiliser on a regular basis. 
7. That all contractors and employees of Branch Creek pastoral lease are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to oversowing and topdressing.

Consent is granted in part for oversowing and topdressing, subject to the following conditions for new area marked as green on the attached plan:

1. No seed to be sown or fertiliser applied within 20m of a stream or wetland. 
2. Oversowing and topdressing is to be carried out by an appropriately qualified operator/pilot capable of precision placement with appropriately calibrated equipment; and a written record of applications preferably with GPS mapping is to be maintained and provided to the Commissioner of Crown Lands if requested. 
3. That a hill country seed mix certified weed free is used. 
4. That subsequent grazing is managed to avoid the removal of tussock cover. 
5. That following initial oversowing the land is maintained with adequate fertiliser on a regular basis. 
6. That all contractors and employees of Branch Creek pastoral lease are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to oversowing and topdressing.

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

Consent is declined for to oversow and topdress the area of Branch Creek pastoral lease shaded red on the attached plan (approximately 50ha).