LAND INFORMATION NEW ZEALAND

BIOSECURITY CONTROL PROGRAMME 2018/19

ANNUAL REPORT

WEST COAST REGION

Prepared for and on behalf of LINZ by:

____________________

Marcus Girvan

Biosecurity Project Manager / Senior Principal

Boffa Miskell Ltd

Reviewed by:

___________________

Pete Caldwell

Senior Biosecurity Consultant

Boffa Miskell Ltd

Boffa Miskell Ltd Level 1, 141 Cambridge Terrace PO Box 110 Christchurch 8013, New Zealand Telephone: +64 3 366 88 91

Date: July 2019 Reference: C14086 Status: Final

Annual Report LINZ Biosecurity Control Programme 2018/19 West Coast Region

Table of Contents

1.0 LIST OF LAND DEFINITIONS 1

1.1 Crown Riverbed and Crown Lakebed 1 1.2 Marginal Strips 1 1.3 Road and Esplanade Reserves 1 1.4 Ad Medium Filum Aquae Rights 1

2.0 INTRODUCTION 2

2.1 The Role of Boffa Miskell Ltd 2 2.2 Contents of this Report 2

3.0 UNDERTAKING CONTROL 3

4.0 PRIORITY CONTROL AREAS 4

5.0 COMPLIANCE WITH RESOURCE CONSENTS 4

6.0 LIAISON WITH LANDOWNERS / AGENCIES 4

Annual Report LINZ Biosecurity Control Programme 2018/19 West Coast Region 1

PART ONE: OVERVIEW

1.0 LIST OF LAND DEFINITIONS

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) manages over 5,000 properties across New Zealand. These properties total almost two million hectares, which is around 8% of New Zealand’s land area. Examples of these properties include:

– High country pastoral leases in the South Island – Crown forest licensed land – Former railway properties – The beds of many lakes and rivers

LINZ is responsible for biosecurity on land under its management. These are typically areas of unalienated land, such as lakebeds and riverbeds

1.1 Crown Riverbed and Crown Lakebed Land referred to in this report that is managed by LINZ on behalf of the Crown is referred to as Crown land.

In riverbeds, Crown land is often not clearly identified. When undertaking pest control programmes, LINZ applies the following criteria:

1.2 Marginal Strips Marginal Strips are lands of the Crown that are generally adjacent to riverbeds and are administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). LINZ does not have responsibilities on Marginal Strips.

1.3 Road and Esplanade Reserves Road and Esplanade Reserves are land administered by territorial authorities adjacent to riverbeds (being district councils or unitary authorities). LINZ does not have responsibilities on Road or Esplanade Reserves.

1.4 Ad Medium Filum Aquae Rights In areas where a river abuts a property, the adjoining landowner may own the riverbed to the centre of the river. This is a common law right (unless rebutted) and is known as an ad medium filum aquae (AMF) right. Research has shown that AMF rights are prevalent in South Island braided river systems. LINZ does not have responsibilities on AMF areas.

Annual Report LINZ Biosecurity Control Programme 2018/19 2 West Coast Region

2.0 INTRODUCTION

LINZ has responsibilities for managing the control of pests on Crown land. For LINZ biosecurity, Crown land generally comprises areas of braided river or lake bed.

Crown land is subject to high public use and is frequently disturbed, with such circumstances providing ideal habitat for the establishment of many pest species. Such pests can threaten adjoining farmland and conservation land and may also act as sources of new infestations, re-infestation on pest free land, and more generally as a constant source of seed. Given this risk, LINZ undertakes control works to manage pest populations at many sites.

Regional Pest Management Plans (RPMP), which are developed by regional councils under the Biosecurity Act 1993, establish priorities and mechanisms to control various pest species. In the RPMPs, some pests are classified according to their threat to economic values, whilst others have been classified according to their threat to conservation or biodiversity values. The National Policy Direction for Pest Management 2015 (NPD), through the Biosecurity Act 1993 seeks to ensure that pest management activities, under Part 5 of the Act, provide the best use of available resources for New Zealand’s best interests, and align with each other (when necessary), to contribute to the eradication or effective management of harmful organisms present in New Zealand. As a result, the Crown is now bound to comply with specified Good Neighbour Rules (GNRs) within the RPMP.

Pest control programmes undertaken by LINZ aim to initially reduce infestations of pests to low levels so that ongoing control is at a maintenance level. This strategy reduces ongoing costs and ensures previous pest control investments are protected.

2.1 The Role of Boffa Miskell Ltd Boffa Miskell Limited (BML) was appointed as service provider to LINZ and is responsible for the management and coordination of biosecurity services (pest control) on Crown land. BML assumed the management of these services on 1 July 2009, and as of 1 July 2014 has been further engaged in a strategic partnership with LINZ until 2021.

BML’s role includes the following key tasks:

− Inspecting LINZ sites and determining control requirements − Preparing annual pest control programmes − Engaging and consulting with key stakeholders, partners and interested parties − Preparing tenders and contracts for engaging pest control contractors − Managing and delivering control operations − Monitoring contractors’ health and safety and contract compliance − Reporting annually on control works operations − Reviewing and submitting on relevant legislation − Providing strategic-level and policy advice

2.2 Contents of this Report This report identifies pest control operations carried out on Crown land in the West Coast Region for the financial period of 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. During this period, control works operations undertaken included the following:

Annual Report LINZ Biosecurity Control Programme 2018/19 West Coast Region 3

– Aerial spot and boom spraying of gorse, broom and old man’s beard – Ground and vehicle-based spraying and cutting and stump treating of old man’s

beard, broom and gorse

3.0 UNDERTAKING CONTROL

LINZ’s biosecurity annual programme is implemented across New Zealand, and accordingly the need for individual programmes must be balanced against other priorities nationally. LINZ may respond to a biosecurity issue based on several considerations which are outlined below.

LINZ may not undertake control works in some circumstances, which include the following:

– If the pest identified is not on Crown land – The land in question is under a lease/license or subject to an interest which places

responsibility on the lessee or licensee to manage the pest(s) – The pest falls under other agencies’ or councils’ overriding national or regional

jurisdiction

LINZ may undertake control works in some or all of the following circumstances where:

– Directed or indicated as a priority by Government – Control works have been carried out historically and ongoing maintenance is required

to ensure previous gains in the reduction of the pest are retained – The pest has been listed in a RPMP and that pest has a specified GNR – The pest is spreading from Crown land to adjacent land, of which that landowner is

controlling the pest (LINZ is exacerbating the pest problem) – LINZ is a signatory to an Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding which

commits LINZ to assisting with control – Other parties are contributing to the control of a pest in a coordinated and

comprehensive manner – The pest is listed in the National Pest Plant Accord – The control works are realistically able to be sustained or built on in future years – The control will assist in New Zealand’s ability to host international events which

contribute to New Zealand’s economy – A cost/benefit exercise has identified that the benefits of control greatly exceed the

costs

Annual Report LINZ Biosecurity Control Programme 2018/19 4 West Coast Region

4.0 PRIORITY CONTROL AREAS

Sites treated in the 2018/19 season were selected based on recommendations by BML, consultation with interested parties and subsequent agreement and sign off by LINZ.

Gorse and broom control and containment of these pests was identified as being the highest priority along with old man’s beard.

Additionally, high priority was afforded to several programmes where the Department of Conservation is carrying out control on adjoining land. It is in such circumstances where LINZ seeks to act as a good neighbour and in the interests of collaborative management.

5.0 COMPLIANCE WITH RESOURCE CONSENTS

Within the West Coast region, the West Coast Regional Water Plan allows for the discharge of agrichemicals in circumstances where they may enter water, provided various conditions are met. Given this, no resource consent is required by LINZ at this time.

6.0 LIAISON WITH LANDOWNERS / AGENCIES

On behalf of LINZ, BML undertakes ongoing liaison, consultation and notification with various parties. As LINZ works closely with the Department of Conservation on the West Coast, ongoing liaison with staff at the Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport conservancy offices has occurred during this programme. In addition, BML liaised with the following parties in the West Coast region in the course of developing control works programmes for the financial year:

– West Coast Regional Council – The Department of Conservation (DOC) – Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Papatipu Runanga – Buller District Council – Greymouth District Council – Forest & Bird – Federated Farmers – Fish & Game – Crown Public Health

Annual Report LINZ Biosecurity Control Programme 2018/19 West Coast Region 5

PART TWO: CONTROL WORKS

0 3.5 7 10.5km

Legend

Site Extent

LINZ Sites

Aerial Control

Ground Control

Rabbit Control

Cutter Control

Boat Control

Diver Control±

WORK DETAIL:

Proposed Future Work:

• The area of infestation of old man’s beard has been contained to the river banks and flood prone areas of the Buller River and the open areas along White Cliffs• Overall plant numbers located were down on previous years

Further control will be required for the 2019/20 season to main-tain low current infestation levels.

Buller RiverSite: Lower Buller River

District: BullerRegion: West CoastReference: 93001_2Pest: Old man’s beard

Treatment Method: Aerial Herbicide , Ground Herbicide

Actual Start Date: 30/04/2019Actual End Date: 01/03/2019

Site Area: 1226ha

Property:

BIOSECURITY WORKS 2018/19

CONTROL WORKS SPECIFICATIONS

Shows works carried out in the 2018/19 season

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0 3.5 7 10.5km

Legend

Site Extent

LINZ Sites

Aerial Control

Ground Control

Rabbit Control

Cutter Control

Boat Control

Diver Control±

WORK DETAIL:

Proposed Future Work:

• Knapsack control, aerial search and spot spraying of gorse, broom and lupin was carried out this season• Department of Conservation manages control of this site with contributions from LINZ

Aerial control will be required again for the 2019/20 season. Good progress is being made at this site, which is now into a maintenance schedule.

Grey RiverSite: Upstream of Ikamatua

District: Buller, GreyRegion: West CoastReference: 93004_1Pest: Broom, Gorse, Lupin

Treatment Method: Aerial Herbicide

Actual Start Date: 21/11/2018Actual End Date: 21/11/2018

Site Area: 643.9ha

Property:

BIOSECURITY WORKS 2018/19

CONTROL WORKS SPECIFICATIONS

Shows works carried out in the 2018/19 season

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0 4 8 12km

Legend

Site Extent

LINZ Sites

Aerial Control

Ground Control

Rabbit Control

Cutter Control

Boat Control

Diver Control±

WORK DETAIL:

Proposed Future Work:

• The bottom of the Maruia Gorge from Coffee Creek to the Up-per Maruia was searched by helicopter and control undertaken when weeds were identified• The left and right branch of Maruia down to Marble Hill were searched and weeds controlled using knapsack

Further ground and aerial control will be required at this site next season to maintain current low infestation levels. Crack willow, holly and Spanish heath are becoming an issue at this site and will be considered for future control.

Maruia RiverSite: Boundary Rd Bridge upstream to Maruia

HeadwatersDistrict: BullerRegion: West CoastReference: 93002_1Pest: Broom, Gorse

Treatment Method: Ground Herbicide, Aerial Herbicide

Actual Start Date: 16/11/2018Actual End Date: 09/10/2018

Site Area: 698.7ha

Property:

BIOSECURITY WORKS 2018/19

CONTROL WORKS SPECIFICATIONS

Shows works carried out in the 2018/19 season

Page 10

0 1.5 3 4.5km

Legend

Site Extent

LINZ Sites

Aerial Control

Ground Control

Rabbit Control

Cutter Control

Boat Control

Diver Control±

WORK DETAIL:

Proposed Future Work:

• This site is managed by Department of Conservation with contribution from LINZ• Ground control was undertaken this season in conjunction with the existing Department of Conservation programme• Significant progress has been made with this infestation, with control carried out to the top of this site

It is proposed that further control is carried out next season to reduce the existing seedbank and maintain low infestation levels.

Otira RiverSite: Railway bridge to road bridge

District: WestlandRegion: West CoastReference: 93005_1Pest: Broom, Gorse

Treatment Method: Ground Herbicide

Actual Start Date: 30/04/2019Actual End Date: 01/03/2019

Site Area: 22.2ha

Property:

BIOSECURITY WORKS 2018/19

CONTROL WORKS SPECIFICATIONS

Shows works carried out in the 2018/19 season

Page 11