Tag Archives: Director Area B

Development, Politics

Rural Directors against Municipalities taking over the Electoral Areas Planning Service

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The City of Campbell River is considering taking control of the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) Electoral Areas Planning Service away from rural directors.

Currently, the members of that planning service are the four Regional Directors of : Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka-Sayward), Area B (Cortes Island), and Area C (Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets) and Area D (Oyster Bay – Buttle Lake ).

Campbell River’s five Directors are looking at joining the service, though it would cost the city’s taxpayers close to $500,000 per year for its share of the service’s assessments. They asked the other incorporated municipalities in the SRD—Tahsis, Zeballos, Gold River, and Sayward—to consider joining as well.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Regional Directors of Areas A, B and C issued a joint press release rejecting the idea. In today’s story they outline why they believe the planning service must remain in the hands of the rural areas.

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Politics

Area B Director’s Report: Campbell River Controlling Land use Decisions on Cortes?

By Regional Director Mark Vonesch

I am writing with an important call to action on an issue which could have a huge impact on the autonomy of our community.

Campbell River City Council is considering joining the SRD’s Electoral Area planning service. This is a service which controls all of the land use decisions on Cortes: this includes zoning, bylaws, and our Official Community Plan. If they join, Campbell River could approve developments or bylaws on Cortes that override the wishes of our community.

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Politics

Area C Director’s Report: Municipalities interested in Electoral Area Planning + wood-chipping service update

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
The seasons are turning and the cozy joys of autumn are close at hand. This report has news about municipal interest in joining the electoral area planning service, and progress towards a wood-chipping service in collaboration with Cortes Island.

Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: Municipalities interested in Electoral Area Planning + wood-chipping service update →
Development, Politics

Maureen Williams: How the Zoning Bylaw process for Cortes could have been better

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One of the speakers at the September 8 zoning bylaw meeting at Mansons Hall was Maureen Williams of Cortes Island’s Climate Action Network. While she welcomed the decision to increase the number of lots at Rainbow Ridge up to a maximum of 35, Williams said the proposed zoning update does little to address affordability, environmental protection, or increase Cortes Island’s sense of community. The three-minute speaking limit at the meeting left little room for her to expand on these points, so Cortes Currents spoke with her afterwards.

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Water

Cortes Island’s First Aquifer Health Study

Cortes Island’s aquifer health study has been released and in this morning’s interviews we are speaking with Sylvia Barroso, of GW Solutions, the Senior Hydrologist who participated in this project, Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Island Housing Society and Mark Vonesch, Regional Director of Cortes Island. 

First, there are two key questions at the top of many people’s minds. Is there enough water in Cortes Island’s aquifers to support further development? And why were some of the island’s shallow wells not recharging during the recent drought? 

Continue reading Cortes Island’s First Aquifer Health Study →