Regional District of Nanaimo - Electoral Area B

The Regional District of Nanaimo Board has celebrated many achievements since November, 2005. Perhaps the most significant of these achievements is the Board’s commitment to regional sustainability.

Climate change is a reality, the Regional Board has learned that if it is to keep the region healthy it must modify the way it does things. With this in mind, the Board is reviewing its Regional Growth Strategy.

In late 2006, the Board approved an extensive report produced by the RDN Regional Growth Management Advisory Committee. Prospering Today, Protecting Tomorrow: The State of Sustainability of the Regional District of Nanaimo is an in-depth look at the steps needed to maintain and improve the economic, social and environmental health of the RDN and its residents. The report recognizes that we are all part of an ecosystem, and our economic and social lives should be integrated into the environment in ways that enhance it rather than degrading or damaging it. Members of RGMAC are continuing their work towards sustainability— a recent community workshop provided them with plenty of ideas about how they can achieve our goals. The RDN Board looks forward to the next instalment of their work.

The RDN Board also approved a Sustainable Community Builder Checklist in 2006. The purpose of this checklist is to help builders and developers to voluntarily start thinking about sustainability, and as a result, to make environmentally-conscious choices when planning for development.

So far in 2007, the RDN Board has approved a Green Building Action Plan, a Corporate Climate Change Plan, and the hiring of a Sustainability Coordinator in the Fall of 2007. The individual who fills this new position will help the RDN Board and staff to manage the various policies, planning and programs adopted to support sustainability.

Fire Department Earns Superior Tanker Shuttle Rating

Gabriola Fire Chief Rick Jackson is proud to report that his Department has been awarded a certificate of accreditation from the Fire Underwriters Service for their Superior Tanker Shuttle status.

This means that our community now has the equivalent of hydrant service status, which will result in an insurance break for residents.

Fire Chief Jackson says that the Department has been working toward this level of service for the past 20 years.

Gabriola Emergency Dock

Gabriola Fire Department and Ambulance Service staff report that the RDN-installed Gabriola Island emergency dock is well-used, and is extremely important to those of us who live on the island. The Ambulance Service reports that the dock was used 42 times between April, 2006 and April, 2007. Fire Chief Rick Jackson recently told the RDN that the dock is a great thing for the fire department and for the community.

Residential Food Waste Diversion

The RDN is embarking on a residential food waste diversion pilot project. If successful, this pilot will be expanded and will become a regular part of our waste diversion system, allowing the region to further decrease the percentage of waste that we send to the landfill. In order to complete this pilot, the RDN Board has decided to extend its five-year garbage and recycling collection contract with Waste Services Incorporated (WSI), which would have expired on March 31, 2007. The contract is extended for one more year, so that food waste diversion can be included in the next tender if our pilot project is successful.

Food waste diversion is an exciting concept, and an important part of improving our regional sustainability. The RDN has already moved into this territory by starting a successful food waste diversion program in businesses throughout the region. When we reduce the amount of waste that goes into the landfill or other disposal sites, we save resources and minimize our footprint on the environment. Getting residential organic materials out of the garbage and to a composting facility will extend the life of our landfill, and for every tonne of food waste we divert, we will be able to achieve nearly an equal reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2002, the RDN adopted the Zero Waste diversion target as its long-term goal. By 2003, the RDN was diverting 57 per cent of its solid waste from the landfill. That was more than the 50 per cent target set in 1989 by the provincial environment ministry for all regional districts, but there is still room for improvement. The updated Solid Waste Management Plan aims to increase this diversion rate to 75 per cent by 2010 by diverting organic materials away from landfill.

It is important for residents to know that the conclusion of the original WSI waste collection contract will mean an end to twice-yearly special collection days for large household items for the approximately 23,000 households serviced by WSI. Under the previous WSI contract, special collection days cost the RDN $30,000 per year. Continuing this service beyond March 31, 2007 would have cost RDN taxpayers $94,500, a net increase of $64,500.

After discussing this issue at length, the RDN Board has decided that the core garbage and recycling program is the best way to serve the region, as it allows residents to dispose of one can of garbage per week and permits the recycling of much household material. Given that less than five per cent of RDN customers make use of special collection days, it is unfair to expect all residents to pay for the cost of continuing this service.

The Regional Landfill accepts waste items that are not covered by the core WSI service at minimal cost. Large item disposal options are also outlined in the spring 2007 Zero Waste newsletter that was recently delivered to all RDN garbage and recycling collection customers. For more information, visit www.rdn.bc.ca or call the RDN Environmental Services Department at 390-6560 or 954-3792.

Regional Transit

Gabriola Islanders have chosen a small community lifestyle that has both benefits and challenges. One of the challenges Islanders face is transportation. While many choose to make use of alternative forms of transportation, such as buses, the reality is that the cost to operate public transit is prohibitive on smaller islands. The RDN is currently undertaking a service review to update the transit five-year business plan. This review will include Gabriola Island, and will be used to determine where service should be provided as the region grows. In the meantime, there are other methods of getting around. Carpooling and shuttle services are examples of ways Islanders can manage day-to-day business. Gabriola is a resourceful community with plenty of entrepreneurial spirit, and by working together, residents can manage transportation issues through creative thinking.