When we think about our communities and what makes them healthy we all understand the importance of water. Access to safe and adequate water allows us to make the most of our lives, promotes healthy communities and, when managed properly, preserves the environment in which we live. Achieving a balance between our use of water and the impact that has on the environment is necessary; without that balance we risk continually reducing the environmental health of our region. The pressures we see with growth and land use decisions are just two areas that have a direct effect on that ability to provide water for the future.
With this in mind the Regional District of Nanaimo has developed a Drinking Water – Watershed Protection Action Plan. This plan was developed with input from area residents, representatives of local conservation groups, Provincial government, the well drilling industry and a number of other related stakeholders.
The Action Plan is a 10-year program aimed at improving our understanding of the region's watersheds and leading to increased protection of the ground and surface water resources that sustain our communities. The Action Plan will be facilitated by the establishment of a drinking water and watershed protection area covering all electoral areas within the regional district. In November 2008 the Regional District will be asking residents of all seven electoral areas if they are in favour of establishing a single service area for this purpose. More information on the Action Plan, its scope and the costs will be presented to the public this fall. Please watch for updates at the RDN WaterSmart site.
Parks Update
Over the past few months, several
projects are underway or have been
completed to get our Island parks
ready for the increased use that comes
with warmer weather.
Emergency reception centre generators
After severe windstorms in 2006 left many areas of the Regional District coping with extended power outages, the RDN Emergency Program began investigating ways to provide backup power to its many emergency reception centres. When the weather is bitterly cold, power is key to providing basic comfort to residents and volunteers while they make their way through the registration, needs assessment and referral processes that happen during emergency situations.
The RDN Emergency Program capital plan now provides for the purchase of one emergency generator every two years, and Gabriola is first on the priority list due to the special challenges we Islanders face in emergency situations. Our two reception centres are smaller than centres in other areas of the RDN, so the funding allocated for Gabriola would cover power to both centres. The generators, once installed will provide increased comfort to those who need to access, or work in, our emergency reception centres.
A reminder that our two emergency reception centres are located at the Gabriola Island Senior Citizens Association at 681 North Road, and the Gabriola Island Community Hall Association at 2200 South Road.
Shaping Our Future
The Regional District of Nanaimo is reviewing its Regional Growth Strategy. The original Strategy was adopted in 1997 by the member municipalities and unincorporated electoral areas, and was developed in response to concerns about the impacts of growth in the region. Rapid growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s raised residents' concerns about worsening traffic, loss of open space and natural areas, increased costs of services, and changing neighbourhoods.
Since that time new concerns have risen to the forefront including climate change, food security and affordable housing. In response to these new challenges there is a need to review the Strategy to determine how it can be better integrated with other strategies to help achieve the vision for a socially, economically and environmentally healthy region. This is your chance to shape your future! How and where should we grow? The RDN Board wants to hear your views on the shape of the Regional District of Nanaimo's future.
For further information and to provide your input and ideas please go to www.ShapingOurFuture.ca.
