Linden loggers, LM&TC strike 25% deal

Reactivation of Kara Kara toll booth

During a consultation on the reactivation of the Kara Kara toll booth last week, a deal was struck between members of the Logger’s Association in Linden and the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) for registered loggers to pay 25 per cent of the total accumulative cost for trips made on a monthly basis.

The loggers, once registered, will only be required to pay based on the number of trips they make while carrying logs past the toll point at Kara Kara, Mackenzie. In the past, the loggers were required to pay each time they passed the toll point.

During the consultation, loggers registered their concerns over the hardships they were presently facing, and made requests for concessions during the start- up phase of the reactivation. The municipality initially proposed a payment of 50 per cent of the accumulated rate; however, the loggers disagreed, and suggested 30 per cent instead. Both parties eventually settled at 25 per cent.

At the conclusion of the consultation, Mayor Carwyn Holland said that owing to the many hardships facing the loggers and the fact that they already pay taxes, the concession was granted. He also advised those businesses to ensure that they were registered in order to take advantage of the rate.

“So, let’s say, the (monthly) rate, according to the toll point is $7000, they’ll be required to pay 25 per cent of that cost. This is (for) the Linden-based loggers with the logs…Once they pass with the trucks and with the items as is in the schedule. They have to bring in their registration to be on the registered list of operators…They can come in to the Council and get registered. Once you’re registered in Linden, you get the 25 per cent deal, (this is) to help the Linden businesses to pick up. The agreement between us and the loggers is to have this for one year and then it would be reassessed, to see whether we’re going to take it off or whatever,” Holland explained.

The Mayor reminded that tolls would not be required for vehicles which were not carrying logs. The loggers and LM&TC are yet to arrive at a toll amount, which loggers would be required to pay. With the reactivation of the Kara Kara toll booth in the pipeline, the municipality has hosted a number of consultations with the community’s stakeholders.