Introduction
This page provides information updates on forest harvesting operations and the use of Scotts Road for log transport. Information is provided for residents and landowners on the Road. This information is provided as part of project work undertaken for Palmerston North City Council.
Operations for 2009-2010 Summer
Update : 24 December 2009
Operations to re-start in week of 5 January 2010
Upgrade of far end of Scotts Road
The upgrade of the final section of Scotts Road, from Gordon Kear Forest to Woodpecker Forest, originally scheduled in September – October, will now be completed in January - February 2010. Very wet conditions meant this work was delayed. The work will provide logging truck access to Woodpecker Forest. The upgrade work will mainly involve re-shaping of corners. Some road metal will be transported in to complete the project.
Harvesting and Log Transport re-start in October
Harvesting and transport operations on Scotts Road will be re starting from early January 2010. Harvesting crews will be initially operating in the Palmerston North City Council’s Gordon Kear Forest. Harvesting from a privately owned area of Gordon Kear Forest is also likely to occur later in the season.
The Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreation Plan identifies harvest of Woodpecker Forest as important for long term recreational development. Harvesting this mature radiata pine forest at the end of Scotts Road will avoid ongoing problems of tree toppling and breakage. The area will be re-established in native forest and long term exotic species such as redwood, providing a more diverse and attractive forest for recreation. The focus of recreational access will continue to be Kahuterawa Road. The first stage of harvest will be “road lining” – removing a strip of trees along main access roads. This initial work may occur in early 2010.
Log transport levels on Scotts Road may, at their peak, be up to 50% higher than last year. These higher levels of production are only expected to occur over parts of the season.
Likely timing and period of transport operations.
Harvesting operations this season will start from early January 2010 and continue until around April or May 2010.
Hours of operation
In line with previous years, hours of operation for trucks will avoid peak times between 7:30am - 8:30am and 3:30pm – 4:30pm. Weekends will also be avoided, however there may be occasional special circumstances where transport does occur at these times.
Communication & contacts
Signage: Council will be erecting signage on the road warning of truck traffic and providing contact details
Log truck performance: If you wish to report a positive or negative comment about the performance of an individual logging truck you can phone 0800logtruck and give the truck number recorded on the truck. This is a national system that records the information and feeds it back to the individual transport contractor.
Maintenance: Any issues relating to road maintenance should be reported to the main PNCC contact number (06 356 8199). This is operated all hours, 7 days per week for the recording and reporting of maintenance actions.
Follow up contact: On the completion of harvesting operations this summer there will be opportunity for you to provide feedback, review how the transport operations were managed and identify any practical opportunities for improvement.
In the interim, if you have any specific questions or ideas around how the communication with you could be improved, feel free to contact Peter Handford on Phone 04 904 0876. For email address see contacts
Background documents
Click on the following links to download PDFs
Feedback from 2008-09 harvest season 8-9-09
Feedback from 2007-08 harvest season 20-12-08
Feedback from Scotts Road Workshop 29-11-05
Standard letter sent to residents with report 17-11-05
Report on early contact with residents & proposed upgrade & use 17-11-05
