Regional District of Nanaimo - Electoral Area C

Elaine Hamilton Keeping in touch Welcome to this first edition of Electoral C Update. This newsletter will be mailed to Electoral Area C households three times in 2003. The purpose is to keep you informed about Regional District services, initiatives, and events. I have had the honour and privilege of representing the residents and property owners of Electoral Area C for more than 20 years. The RDN is your local government. It provides a diverse range of local services such as community planning, garbage and recycling collection, fire protection (through agreements with local fire departments) and regional services such as regional parks and trails, regional planning and solid waste and liquid waste management.

As your Electoral Area Director, I represent you on the RDN Board, the Committee of the Whole, the Electoral Area Planning Committee (Chair) and the Executive Committee. The Board has appointed me to the Treaty Advisory Committee, the Central Health Region Joint Capital Planning Committee (Alternate), the Grants-in-Aid Committee (Chairperson), and the Building Addition Standing Committee. The upcoming spring issue of the RDN's region-wide newsletter Regional Perspectives describes their purpose and mandate. My involvement on these important Committees enables me to represent your interests and those of the Region as a whole. A good example is the Treaty Advisory Committee, which has participated in Treaty negotiations with the Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) First Nation for several years.

This is a busy time for our Area and the Region. I have summarized 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 phone, fax or email contacts on the back of this newsletter.

Elaine Hamilton, Director, Area C

Treaty Negotiations
close to AIP

I have represented the RDN on Treaty Negotiations between the Province, the Federal Government, and the Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) First Nation. This table is very close to an Agreement-In- Principle. As part of the treaty, the First Nation will receive lands as part of the Treaty Settlement Lands, which will be under its jurisdiction.

I have also been involved with a treaty side table to resolve local government issues directly with First Nations' representatives. These negotiations will be ongoing after the Agreement-in-Principle is reached but prior to the final agreement. They will resolve such issues as First Nations' participation on the Regional District Board and their inclusion in the Regional Growth Management Plan.

Efforts to extend Fire
Protection service

The Extension and District Fire Department has 18 volunteer firefighters. They have a fully equipped hall with three vehicles. The latest truck was purchased in August 2001. I have been working over the past year with residents of the Nanaimo River Road / South Fork area in an effort to get some protection for this area. There is a problem with extending the boundaries of the area as half the area is beyond the 8-kilometre fire department service limit. There are also six residences at the end of Kelsey Road that are looking for fire protection. We have attempted to obtain coverage from the City of Nanaimo, which is the closest fire department, but at this time the City is not providing fire protection services outside its boundaries.

Status of Growth
Management Plan Review

In 2001 and 2002 the RDN reviewed its regional growth strategy (Bylaw No. 985.01, 1999). The review culminated in the development of a revised regional growth strategy bylaw, Bylaw No. 1309, which has not yet been adopted. It is anticipated that the Regional Board will approve a process to complete this project early this year.

The purpose of a regional growth strategy is to promote human settlement that is socially, economically, and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities and services, land and other resources.

For more information about the Growth Management Plan Review please visit the Growth Management section of the RDN Website or contact Christina Thomas, Senior Planner, in RDN Community Services.

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Community Services News
Recreation grant helps upgrade
ball fields, hall

The Extension & District Recreation Commission is a non-profit society that was established in 1969. It is responsible for managing the Extension Community Park and Community Hall. Elect The Commission has received a $9,000 grant from the RDN's Grants-In-Aid program. This funding has enabled the Commission to upgrade the Extension Community Park's three ball fields and improve the Community Hall. Over the past three years we've painted the interior and exterior of the Hall and replaced its flooring. Two ball fields have been "skinned" so far and a third will be completed this spring.

The ball fields are used by 15 fastball teams from the Chase River-Extension area. The Community Hall is home to a Girl Guide troop and two Brownie groups, the Chase River-Extension Minor Softball League, and provides space for community meetings and private functions.

Haslam Creek suspension bridge
official opening set for May 10

A new bridge over the Haslam Creek gorge marks the completion of one of two major bridge links in the Regional District of Nanaimo portion of the Trans Canada Trail. The Haslam Creek Bridge will provide a gateway to the Ladysmith and Cowichan Valley Regional District sections of the Trans Canada Trail.

Construction of the 48-metre cable Haslam Creek suspension bridge for pedestrians and cyclists was completed in October 2002. Related site work is to be finalized this spring. The RDN contributed $73,000 in funding for the bridge, the Province of BC provided $50,000 and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation donated $15,000. The official opening of the Haslam Creek crossing is set for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 10 at the bridge.

Environmental Services News
Sewer Servicing for Extension village

In February 2002, the Regional District of Nanaimo's Environmental Services department completed a review of sewer servicing options for the community of Extension, which is designated for future development as a village centre in the Area C Official Community Plan. Poor soils for on-site septic systems limit the development potential of several lots in the village area.

Associated Engineering prepared pre-designs and costs for providing community sewers and for sewage treatment and disposal options, including an option for a local sewage treatment plant. Various disposal strategies were considered but some of the restrictions the area faces for septic system disposal also apply to disposal of effluent from a local treatment facility.

The sewer servicing report concluded that a local community treatment and disposal system was technically feasible but uneconomic to build and operate. Regional wastewater treatment, using the City of Nanaimo's sewer lines to connect the Village of Extension to the RDN's Greater Nanaimo Water Pollution Control Centre was considered economically feasible.

However, the City of Nanaimo does not support servicing properties outside its boundaries at this time. Accordingly, although regional wastewater servicing for Extension may not be possible at this time, a viable strategy has been identified and will be reviewed in the future.

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.

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