18 October 2007

High country land proposed for protection

Almost 4500 hectares of high country land in Otago is proposed for protection as a conservation area in a Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) proposal that is to be advertised for public comment this weekend.

The 4450 hectare block known as Soldiers Syndicate is located in the Hawkdun and Ida ranges near Ranfurly.

The block was grazed in summer months under a short-term non-renewable pastoral occupation licence that expired in 2004. A review by LINZ proposes that the entire block be retained in full Crown ownership and control as a conservation area, LINZ General Manager Business Support Brian Usherwood said.

Grazing is currently continuing on a year to year licence until the review is completed.

Mr Usherwood said the Director General of Conservation has agreed to support the granting of a concession after the review which would allow grazing to continue for a further five years on a non-exclusive basis that would not compromise public access, and give the Syndicate time to make alternative arrangements for grazing.

The review is being carried out under Part 3 of the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998. The objects of the Act are to promote the management of Crown land in a way that is ecologically sustainable and to enable the protection of significant inherent values of that land. It is not possible to dispose of land as freehold or special lease if these objects are not met.

LINZ received advice from DOC on the significant inherent values present on the property as the proposal was developed.

The proposal will be formally notified this Saturday in South Island newspapers and on the LINZ website: www.linz.govt.nz. The public have until 18 December 2007 to comment on the proposal.

Mr Usherwood said once submissions have been received LINZ will analyse public submissions and prepare a final proposal for the property next year.

Ends

Background information

- The review of the former Soldiers Syndicate pastoral occupation licence is a compulsory review under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998. In such reviews, LINZ can advise licence holders about the progress and outcomes of a review, but there is no obligation under the Act to consult with the holders when making decisions. However, the Act specifies that LINZ must get input from the Department of Conservation when undertaking the review.

- Once a preliminary proposal is prepared, it is advertised for public comment and submitters have 40 working days to make submissions on the proposal. At the same time iwi are consulted on the preliminary proposal.

- The Act established fixed goals for pastoral occupation licences. Land can be retained in Crown ownership as conservation area or reserve or freeholded or disposed of by way of special lease.

- The decision to retain or dispose of the land will depend on the individual circumstances of the case and whether the relevant objects of the Act have been met. The objects applying to the review of pastoral occupation licences include promoting the management of Crown land in a way that is ecologically sustainable, and enabling the protection of significant inherent values that may exist.

- Historically, pastoral occupation licences were issued for land that the Crown had yet to decide the future of. The licences were short term, and unlike pastoral leases, were not perpetually renewable. Until the 1998 Act established fixed goals for these lands, some licences had been continually renewed over long periods of time.

www.linz.govt.nz
www.newzealand.govt.nz

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