Seed drilling within the Upper Manorburn-Lake Onslow landscape management area has been allowed under the Central Otago District Council's plan, through a ruling of the Environment Court.
A dispute about whether the practice complied came before the court after the council issued an abatement notice to Greenfield Rural Opportunities Ltd, demanding the company cease seed drilling on a rural property in the Teviot Valley.
Under the council's district plan, the property was subject to rules regarding the Upper Manorburn-Lake Onslow landscape management area, which paid particular regard to seeding land covered with indigenous vegetation.
The council sought clarification of the meaning of indigenous vegetation within its own plan, as its interpretation of what was allowed differed from that of Greenfield.
Its plan stated direct seed drilling on pasture within the management area was permitted.
Greenfield maintained tussock on the property was existing pasture but the council disagreed.
CODC planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said when issuing the abatement notice in March last year, the council believed the tussock was indigenous vegetation, which the plan sought to protect.
It sought a declaration from the Environment Court as to the correct interpretation of the plan.
Ms van der Voort said it was important for the council to be absolutely sure of the plan and what it allowed, as there were other areas within the district to which the particular rule could apply.
Environment Court Judge Jon Jackson said Greenfield's direct seed drilling of clover on land with more than 50% introduced vegetation did not breach the council's plan.
He reserved costs, saying, "I consider, since this is something of a test case, that costs should lie where they fall".
Parties have until January 29 to seek amendments to the declaration, which will automatically become final if no such applications are made.
