Central Taranaki forestry owners could try to “challenge” a new tariff that would charge them for the damage trucks do to local roads, says an industry boss.
But Stratford District Council’s road manager said those who owned the 26 forestry blocks affected had already had a chance to express their concern.
After declaring spending nearly $ 1.5 million this week on repairing roads used during the pine harvest, the council has adopted its targeted route for roads, which will mean that central Taranaki forestry owners have a part of $ 100,000 per year paid.
Supply
Cameron Eyre, NZ Forestry’s director and Taranaki regional manager, called the adoption of the tariff an “extremely disappointing outcome”. (File photo)
NZ Forestry Director and Taranaki Regional Manager Cameron Eyre, who has previously criticized the rate, said he was “frustrated” that it got the green light.
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“It’s an extremely disappointing outcome,” Eyre said.
He spoke to forestry owners as his company manages about 8,000 acres of pine land in Stratford.
“They are furious.”
Jane Matthews / Stuff
The rate was set after timber trucks damaged Stratford roads during harvest.
Eyre said the rate is an “excessive fee” and owners were not given much information about what it will be spent on and when.
“What is the incentive? [to pay]? ”
He said some had indicated that they might “challenge” it.
“But it depends on the individual forest owner.”
He criticized the council for the amount, saying they had “picked a number out of thin air”, saying it should have been a joint effort to find a solution.
“They are just trying. The whole process is flawed, ”said Eyre. “It’s absolutely shocking.”
ANDY JACKSON / GOED
Steve Bowden, the council’s road asset manager, said forestry owners had many opportunities to express their concerns. (File photo)
But the council’s road asset manager, Steve Bowden, said they were looking at the Ruapehu district council, which also set a course, “and used it as a basis for ourselves”.
He said they have chosen a tariff as it is legally enforceable for the council to collect.
Bowden said those affected had plenty of opportunity to voice their concerns as the tariff for public consultation went out and was announced.
“And we sent letters to the owners to seek their opinion,” he said.
A “few” owners came back and said their land is no longer covered with forest and will not be in the future either.
Another three put down their names to speak at the trial in May to voice their opposition, but only one showed up on the day.
When it came to the $ 100,000 figure, the council looked at how much was spent on damaged roads, and put various figures – and how they would increase rates for owners – on the table for elected members to decide.
In the years to come, the money “goes into the pot” to help repair the roads, and it has yet to be decided what will happen when the harvest is complete.
Bowden said although the rate “does not fully recover the cost”, it will help.