ROAD closures, increased heavy truck loads and noise and dust pollution are some of the concerns raised following revelations hundreds of hectares of pine trees are set to be harvested by HQ Plantations this year.
In response HQ Plantations said it is meeting with residents and planning drop-in sessions to explain what the harvesting will mean for locals.
Almost 30 years on from a devastating wildfire that tore through Beerburrum and surrounds and razed 5000 hectares of forestry, trees planted in the wake of that event have matured and are ready to be logged.
But the announcement has come as a shock to some who say there has been little consultation despite concerns about the impact it will have on the surrounding community.
Local resident Steve Runge who lives near the Johnston Road section of the Glass House Logging Area said he only became aware of the major harvesting and haulage operation through the media.
“Many concerns could have been addressed if the neighbouring communities had been given the opportunity for diligent discussion,” Mr Runge said.
He said there were concerns about the potential impact of the operation for surrounding residents including potential water tank contamination and excessive noise and dust from a quarry that had previously been buffeted by the plantation trees were of concern.
But HQ Plantations chief operating officer Steve Walker said the business was “always open and flexible with its communication with residents and its ability to adjust harvest plans to mitigate concerns.
“(In response to the harvesting announcement) we’re going to open some drop-in sessions,” Mr Walker said.
“We want to know what people’s concerns are so we can act on them.
“In regards to concerns about noise and dust from the quarry it’s not that complicated to adjust our harvesting plans relatively simply,” he said.
With the main haul routes scheduled to run along Rapkins Road, Red Road and Johnston Road for the next 10 months and with peak estimates of up to 40 loads per day along haul tracks to include singles, Mini-B and B-Double trucks, Mr Runge has cited concerns for safety and amenity including the allowance for huge B-Doubles to run on Johnston Road.
“I don’t believe this is safe, particularly when consideration is given to the location of some of the driveways and the widths and turning movements of B-Doubles,” Mr Runge said.
“From what I can make of it, no adequate traffic safety assessment has been made.”
Roads within the plantation were being closed for safety reasons for the duration of the harvest, Mr Walker said.
Mr Runge also questioned what he said was a lack of transparency around traffic safety, impact and assessment processes despite numerous correspondence with both HQ Plantations and Sunshine Coast Council.
A Council spokesperson said the matter was being treated seriously.
“Heavy vehicles generally do not require permission to access the local road network when they comply with the general access vehicle conditions set by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator,” they said.
“Vehicles complying with the general access arrangements do not require a permit to access the road network.
“A review of active permits in the area revealed a low number of permits for limited access to poultry farms and plantations during logging.
“All permits are subject to a review by Council ensuring oversize vehicles are not granted access to unsuitable routes where they pose a risk to public safety or infrastructure.”
The council said logging access permits had been in place for years to prohibit them would have “significant economic impacts”.
Main image: Glass House Mountain resident Steve Runge