Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Cultivation by direct drilling - A5904341

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 by direct drilling

10 years for the initial work with ongoing maintenance rights

For the part of the consent that was granted

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that granting consent to maintain the cultivation 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 in the consent.

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 biodiversity and vegetation.

Consent is granted for cultivation of 530ha of previously cultivated areas on the Glenaray and Whitecomb pastoral leases, subject to the following conditions:

1. No direct drilling activity within 20m of any waterway or wetland (including seepages, flushes, and cushion bogs). 
2. No direct drilling activity within 10m of singular or stands of Olearia hectorii, Olearia fimbriata, diverse indigenous shrublands (5 or more species) or indigenous forest.
3. Restricting each cultivation cycle to not more than two feed crops before sowing down in permanent pasture.
4. Only seed certified as being free of weed seeds and impurities is to be sown.
5. 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. Restricting the return cultivation cycle (three cultivations) to not more than once in every 12 years.
6. Using minimum cultivation/ direct drilling /cover crops and rough/ seed bed techniques to ensure soils are not over worked and exposed to wind erosion.
7.  Ensuring that continued inputs of maintenance fertilizer are applied to extend the effective life of permanent pasture stands which will reduce the need for renewal cultivation.
8. The Lessee shall keep records of the areas cultivated annually and provide these records to the Commissioner of Crown Lands or his delegate, upon request, to ensure ongoing compliance with this consent.
9. That all contractors and employees working on Glenaray and Whitecomb pastoral leases in relation to this consent are informed of the conditions of this consent prior to carrying out any work.

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

Consent is declined to cultivate areas of Glenaray pastoral lease shaded red on the Notice of Decision plan (approximately 12ha).