Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Disturbing soil to establish stock handling facilities, fertiliser bins and fence lines - A6007867

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.

Disturbing soil to establish stock handling facilities, fertiliser bins and fence lines

10 years

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that granting consent to disturb the soil for the activities noted above 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 above.

Consent is granted for soil disturbance subject to the following conditions:

1. Soil disturbance shall only occur in short sections where necessary for effective fence construction. Native vegetation cover along the majority of the new fenceline shall remain intact.
2. The Lessee must avoid vegetation clearance / soil disturbance in any wetland. Micro adjustments to fencing corridors are to be implemented to avoid wetlands, including seepages. There must be a buffer of 20 metres between any wetland and activity involving soil disturbance.
3. No removal of mature beech or broadleaf trees or any indigenous tree or shrub species which has a threat classification of Threatened. Note - Hectors tree daisy (Olearia hectorii) and Pomahaka tree daisy (Olearia fimbriata) are present on the slopes below the Whitecomb airstrip.
4. Soil disturbance is to be kept to the minimum required for each activity, with fencelines to be no greater width than 3m. For the avoidance of doubt, this consent also authorises scrub clearance activities required as part of the soil disturbance activities (when read in conjunction with Condition III).
5. Soil disturbance to be undertaken in accordance with best practice protocols e.g. Appropriate cut-outs to be installed every 30-50 metres in steeper sections, in order to minimize runoff and scouring, and any uphill batters are to be sloped off or struck back to minimise slumping and allow re-grassing.
   1. Water must not be channelled, but diverted towards locations where it can disperse or filter through pasture. Appropriate sediment traps will be put in place (if required) to prevent any runoff from the yards entering waterways, both during construction, and once the yards are in use.
   2. Any bare ground that results from the soil disturbance shall have seed and fertiliser applied as soon as practicable upon completion of the works (except where gravel is to be laid). All machinery used is to be thoroughly cleaned and free of weed seeds prior to carrying out the work.
6. Any fuel and oil storage facilities are to be sited to eliminate the possibility of a leak or spill into any waterways.
7. The shelter sheds will clad in neutral / natural colours.
8. That all contractors and employees operating under this consent are informed of the conditions prior to commencing soil disturbance activities.

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