Hello,
Recent rains remind me of winters which trundled from rainstorm to deluge to showers… here’s hoping a deluge of spring blooms isn’t far off. This report has news about collaborative work on wastewater (sewer), learnings from the recent Campbell River Housing Symposium, and dates & topics for upcoming Official Community Plan discussions.

QCove wastewater integration exploration 

Another positive step in the partnership framework between the SRD and We Wai Kai First Nation regarding wastewater exploration has been achieved: a non-binding Letter of Understanding (LOU) has been completed. The LOU confirms shared intent to explore wastewater integration within the Quathiaski Cove sewer service area and guide joint technical & governance exploration.

The next step in this planning will utilize $200,000 of Growing Communities grant funding for a technical review, examination of joint scoping, and provision of cost comparisons. The project team will begin this process by hiring a consultant to support the work. This is an important project which has significant implications for sewer users, along with community bridge building. I’m grateful this collaborative approach is underway and that SRD staff are committed to reporting back as the process moves along.

Campbell River Housing Symposium

Recently I attended the inaugural Campbell River Housing Symposium put on by the Strathcona Housing Alliance and it was super to see several Quadra Islanders attending and learning, including representatives from the Quadra Island Seniors Housing Society and Quadra Island Land Trust.

There were heavy sighs from presenters as they grappled with the recently released provincial budget and its cuts to housing funding programs, significantly affecting the nonprofit/affordable housing sector. Despite the gloom there was good learning, though when asked directly about rural housing projects, positivity faded. Rural housing is more expensive to produce, and government funders are seeking easy wins. Keep reading for some encouraging news…

Housing co-ops & land trusts

There were some positive takeaways which I want to share. Nonprofit housing co-ops and community land trusts were highlighted as models which are sustainable and permanently affordable. Community land trusts and co-op housing often work together, with the land trust responsible for long-term property and asset management while the co-op manages membership & governance. Dependent on the model, local governments may also be involved. And after decades of few co-op housing units being built in BC, numbers are on the rise.

Predesigned housing plans

Regarding rural housing, when it comes to bringing costs down one of the suggestions was to utilize the premade housing plans in the recently-published design catalogue by CMHC. The catalogue offers complete technical plans for accessory dwelling units, duplexes, quadplexes and more. You can view & download plans at www.housingcatalogue.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Another takeaway was that when nonprofits work together, whether that is sharing policies or collaborating on projects, it builds efficiencies and community benefits. This is good learning for all our nonprofits, and something I’m heartened to see unfolding on Quadra Island

Upcoming OCP meetings

Broad community engagement is key to building a truly representative Official Community Plan to reflect the unique long-term vision, values, and social, environmental & economic goals of Quadra Island, the Outer Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets.

This spring a series of monthly topic-specific OCP discussions continues, facilitated by SRD Planning staff. All voices are welcome, and no worries if using a mic at a meeting isn’t your jam: written comments are accepted at meetings or by emailing planning@srd.ca.

Upcoming at Quadra Community Centre at 6pm:

April 15 — Parks and Transportation
May 13 — Aquaculture, Agriculture, Tourism & Economic Development
June 24 — Silviculture, Natural Resources, Industrial Areas & Energy

Upcoming at Surge Narrows Bunkhouse at 1pm:

April 8 — Aquaculture (foreshore & industry) + Sensitive Environment Areas
May 7 — Tourism, Home Occupations, Industrial & Commercial Uses
June 2 — Wharves/Moorage, Transportation, Trails and Parks

Visit srd.ca/area-c-ocp for links to OCP guidance documents including our current OCP and the 2023 Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. There are also ‘What We Heard’ summaries of previous discussions, find them at the link above under the ‘completed’ pop-down.

Connect 

Thanks for reading! You’re welcome to connect with me with questions or concerns: email RMawhinney@srd.ca, or call 250.203.2468. Visit srd.ca/government/agendas-minutes to keep up to date on SRD governance happenings. Visit RobynMawhinney.ca for links to helpful community resources and ‘back issues’ of Director Reports.

Until next time,
Respectfully,
Robyn Mawhinney

Images in this report are… garden mini-blooms; fish boats at rest in Quathiaski Cove; ruffled sea & sky on the way to an OCP meeting at Surge Narrows; a map sparking community discussion at Surge Narrows; and, ferns living their best life aboard a big leaf maple, captured during some recent trail-making in north Gowlland Harbour.

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