Logging trucks parking in an out-of-the-way location in Tuross Head have sparked debate among residents.
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McGuire Logging, a Tumut company, had been parking two logging trucks in Drake St, Tuross Head, for a number of weeks when residents complained to Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Company owner Victor McGuire said the company had relocated to the South Coast, bringing two crews of five people one crew based in Tuross Head and one in Batemans Bay.
“Our markets have ceased over in Tumut,” he said. “Forest NSW shifted us over here temporarily, until at least October.”
Mr McGuire said it cost $5000 per week for each crew to be relocated to the South Coast, covering rent, food and fuel costs.
A council spokeswoman said Eurobodalla Shire Council received written and verbal complaints about the trucks being parked in Tuross.
“As a result of the complaints received, council was required to ask the operator to relocate the trucks,” the spokeswoman said.
“While some members of the community expressed they were happy for the trucks to remain parked in the locality as the operators where contributing to the local Tuross economy, council had received complaints and had been criticised for not acting on those complaints.”
Tuross Head Business Owners Association president John Oates said 95 to 98 per cent of people wouldn’t have known the trucks were there.
“The place where they were parking is the most isolated area of Tuross,” he said.
The issue has sparked debate on the Tuross Head Organisation’s website, with the majority of bloggers supporting the logging trucks to stay in the area.
Blogger Lei said: “There is one solution - council could grant One Off Occupation of part of the reserve to Oversized Vehicles on request as a means of providing such accommodation to both its own contractors and anyone who is deemed to have a reason to park in this location as opposed to the Dalmeny or Moruya Industrial area.”
Anonymous said: “I don’t think it should matter what type of vehicle a travelling worker drives, if they want to stay in your town, particularly in the low tourist season, I would have thought that was a good thing.”
