Keeping in touch
Welcome to this first edition of Electoral B Update. This newsletter will be mailed to Electoral Area B households three times in 2003. The purpose is to keep you informed about Regional District services and initiatives involving Gabriola and the surrounding islands.
We recently completed our final review of the 2003 budget and adopted a 5-year financial plan. I’m pleased to report that there is a significant decrease in the tax requisition for services provided to Area B taxpayers in 2003.
The Regional Board appointed me to represent the RDN on the Vancouver Island Generation Project, which involves the construction of a natural gas powered generation facility at Duke Point and the gas supply pipeline. I have attended meetings on the environmental assessment of this project and RDN staff are forwarding our comments and concerns about its potential health and environmental impacts.
Regional District staff and I continue to work to establish an emergency wharf at Descanso Bay. We have also secured an extension from Public Works Canada to lease the Greens Landing Wharf to the end of September. We soon hope to have a long term agreement to keep the wharf available for Gabriola and Mudge Island residents, while accommodating the concerns of upland property owners.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the contribution of the many volunteers involved in supporting parks and recreation activities and programs on Gabriola Island. Weíve now established a new Gabriola Island Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee. Appointed by the Regional Board, this volunteer body will work with the community and provide leadership and input on community parks and trails development, and waterfront access.
As you can see the Regional District is an active part of your local government. I have touched on some news and developments that I hope will be of interest to you. I welcome your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to reach me by the phone, fax or email contacts on the back of this newsletter.
Gail Lund, Director,
Electoral Area B
RDN tax decrease for Area B services
Area B taxpayers will pay about $103.05 per $100,000 of assessed property values for services provided by the Regional District in 2003, a 13 per cent decrease over 2002.
The decrease in the 2003 tax rate results from three changes. The RDN's commitment to cover annual leasing costs for Gabriola Island's branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library has ended. The RDN was able to reduce the tax requisition required for funding for Community Parks. Area B was formally removed from the Regional Development service that oversees RDN Growth Management Plan studies.
The Regional Board adopted the 2003 budget on March 25 as part of a 5-year financial plan for the RDN. Under the Local Government Act, regional districts must now prepare 5-year projections on taxation and expenditures. While the Regional District has always considered the longer term implications of service changes, the new legislation formalizes the process and offers staff, elected officials and the public an opportunity to make even more informed decisions about the services they wish to support in their community.
Gabriola Island Emergency Wharf
Progress continues to be made in the establishment of an emergency wharf at Descanso Bay on Gabriola Island. The proposed wharf is to be located next to the BC Ferries' dock and is for medical emergencies when the BC Ferries' service is not available.
The Ambulance Service has contracted with the Nanaimo Port Authority to provide the linkage to Nanaimo.
The Regional District has submitted an application for a water lot license to Land & Water BC Inc. If approved, the RDN will move forward with a bylaw and counter petition to obtain Island residents' consent to establish, construct and operate a new emergency wharf service.
Community Services News
New community park taking shape
RDN Parks staff have been working with volunteers to review the trails, signage, parking and access to Gabriola Island's newest and largest community park. The 113-acre community park is located off Taylor Bay Road adjacent to Descanso Bay Regional Park.
One of the long-time trails leading into the community park is on private property. A working group has identified a new entry point into the park that provides direct access to Taylor Bay Road. Over the summer, volunteers will be working to prepare the new access trail and close any trails that lead onto private property.
Gabriola's new Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee will be working with RDN staff to develop a management plan for the community park and deciding on a process to give it an official name.
Descanso Bay Regional Park
A five-year plan to manage recreational development and
operations of Descanso Bay Regional Park will be undertaken
by the Regional District later this year. The 40-acre oceanfront
property became the RDN's sixth and Gabriola Island's first
regional park when it was purchased in 2002. The park's
campground will operate again this year under an
arrangement with a contractor.
GRS begins second year of programs
The Gabriola Recreation Society (GRS) is in its second year of operation, providing recreation programs and administering recreation grants for Gabriola Island. The GRS was formed in February 2002 and the Regional District provides the Society with an annual grant to administer its programs. The GRS also works with other community groups and agencies to facilitate the provision of recreation services.
GRS Program Director Chris Kalnay has developed a full range of recreation programs for residents of all ages. Programs include gymnastics, volleyball, and fitness, and during the summer, sailing, tennis lessons, and minor softball. For more information visit www.gabriola.org/GRS or call 247-2014.
Environmental Services News
Wastewater servicing study completed for
Island subdivision
RDN Environmental Services staff, in conjunction with the Environmental Health Officer, have identified areas in the region that have on-site sewage disposal system concerns. The review was completed as part of the RDN Liquid Waste Management Planning function.
A subdivision on Gabriola Island was identified as an area of concern. Partially treated wastewater from local failing septic systems poses a risk of contamination of local aquifers which supply drinking water and could harm local shellfish habitat.
The RDN obtained a $10,000 planning infrastructure grant and contracted Associated Engineering to complete a wastewater servicing study for the 151 small lot subdivision on the northwest shore of Gabriola Island. One of the recommendations in the study is that homeowners should be encouraged to have their septic systems pumped out regularly and inspected to ensure tanks are not leaking and systems are working properly. RDN staff will present the study to the community once a review of the study and its recommendations have been completed.
Information about the RDN Liquid Waste Management Plan and how to maintain septic systems is available on the RDN Website. Just go to www.rdn.bc.ca, click on Liquid Waste and follow links to Septic Systems.
Large Item Collection starts mid April
Spring 2003 Large Item Special Collection is scheduled to start in mid April. Oversize items must be set out on the date shown on the lower right corner of your 2003 Garbage and Recycling Schedule.
Please note that although you must put out large items on your assigned day, it is to allow Salish Disposal to estimate the volumes to be collected in your area. Salish will return later to pick up oversize items. It could take up to a week before everything in your area is collected.
Remember, Large Items Special Collection is only for items too large to fit in a garbage can or bag. Check your 2002-2007 Recycling Guide for more information or call 1-866-999-8227.
