Tag Archives: Electoral Areas Planning Service

Politics

Area C Director’s Report: municipalities joining rural land use planning?!

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello, 
We have much to be grateful for here in this part of the world, it’s nice to pause, reflect, and give thanks. I’m thankful for a bounty of garden tomatoes and squash and for the diversity of community building efforts underway throughout the islands.

Two weeks ago I did something unusual, I published two Director’s Reports rather than one. The first was about UBCM and local issue advocacy — it was printed in the Discovery Islander. The other was a time sensitive ‘Special Edition’ report which I shared with email subscribers and via Facebook, an update on municipal interest in electoral area land use planning. This report is a recap and a few further thoughts on that topic as rural SRD constituents wait to see what Campbell River and other SRD municipal councils decide.

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Politics

Special Area C Director’s Report: action needed to save rural independence

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

This is a Special Edition Director’s Report with “breaking news” and an action request. Recently I reported that municipalities in the SRD were discussing joining the Electoral Area Land Use Planning Service, something which could impact the independence of our community. This item has now been referred to each of the SRD’s five municipalities & the Kyuquot-Checleseht Nation for their consideration.

As a reminder, the Land Use Planning Service controls all the land use decisions in the electoral areas. This includes applications for rezoning, official community plan amendments, development permits, and land use bylaws like our OCP.

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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 →