POLICIES 10.2 Grazing and farming
Section 51 of the National Parks Act 1980 provides for grazing or farming on land in national parks that, in the public interest, should continue to be farmed or grazed. Grazing and farming are not generally consistent with the requirement of the National Parks Act 1980 to preserve national parks as far as possible in their natural state. Nevertheless, there are areas within national parks which have been farmed or grazed for many years, some traditionally and others for management purposes.
POLICIES
10.2(a) A national park management plan may make provision for grazing or farming only on land which is already farmed or grazed, and only where the balance of evidence demonstrates that it is in the public interest that farming or grazing on that land should continue.
10.2(b) An application for a grazing or farming concession for a national park may, subject to policy 10.2(a), be granted where:
- i) there is no risk of erosion caused by grazing or farming;
- ii) national park values will not be detrimentally affected;
- iii) grazing animals can be effectively controlled;
- iv) the number and type of stock are suitable for the location and land type;
- v) adverse effects of stock on waterways, wetlands and riparian zones can be avoided;
- vi) freedom of entry and access for the public can be maintained; and
- vii) the potential of sites for restoration will not be compromised.
10.2(c) Any grazing concession issued should, where possible, be for a term not exceeding five years, and market rentals should be paid.
10.2(d) National park management plans may make provision for continuation of grazing in the public interest as a management tool where the balance of evidence has shown this is appropriate to preserve particular indigenous species, habitats and ecosystems and other national park values.
10.2(e) National park management plans should identify monitoring requirements and specify what actions should be taken if there are adverse effects.
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