The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is supporting a licence application for a log dump and booming ground beside the Earl's Cove ferry terminal, but asking that Crown authorities place heavy restrictions on it.
Although logging is currently taking place on the north end of the Coast, there is no properly licensed dump.
John Duggan, a neighbour of the area where the log dump would be, appeared before the planning and development committee April 14 opposing the application.
Duggan felt the log dump would be unsafe, particularly to ferry terminal traffic. He also presented a letter from Egmont fire Chief Peter Sly, backing Duggan's safety concerns.
Doug Sladey, owner of Sladey Timber, presented his company's application for the site to the committee. Sladey said the log dump has been there for 50 years and while they are waiting for a licence for re-establishment, nearly a dozen of his company's trucks are operating down the highway to Port Mellon, with other trucks having to follow suit. Sladey also emphasized the fact the site is already an existing dump with some zoning in place, and its re-establishment would be better than creating a new site.
"I can't believe it's gotten to this point; trucks having to drive four hours. It's not a new log dump, like inventing the wheel. It's already there," Sladey said.
The discussion caused tension amongst committee members and sparked a lively debate. Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr said he felt some directors were expressing an anti-logging sentiment rather than a safety concern by imposing restrictions, while Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar firmly rejected Nohr's statement.
"To have another director at this table accuse me or any other director of trying to stop logging by addressing a safety concern is completely inappropriate," said Shugar, adding the committee was only attempting to do their due diligence.
Directors will give a list of recommendations on the application to the Crown who will have final say on the licence.
