Census shows growth here

The population of the area known as Oceanside, or District 69, grew by 1,870 people, or 4.6 per cent, between 2006 and 2011, according to the Statistics Canada Census results released Wednesday.

Statics Canada doesn’t specify District 69 as a region, but it is considered to include the municipalities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo areas E, F, G and H.

“It reflects what we already know, that this is a desirable place to live,” said Chris Burger, mayor of Parksville, which accounted for half of all the area’s growth, increasing by 984 people, or nine per cent, to 11,977.

“This is an example of why we have to manage growth carefully, it can grow as much as we let it, but we have to not lose sight of what we want here,” he said.

He said it is about “what we see as sustainable growth and finding that balance,” pointing out many people move here specifically because it is a small community.

The census is released every five years and this year it comes just in time to be included in Parksville’s official community plan (OCP) update process.

“This debunks the myth that we have a no growth policy,” said Teunis Westbroek, mayor of Qualicum Beach, which grew by 185 people or 2.2 per cent to 8,687 people.

“As people indicated they want, we’ve had slow, orderly, managed growth,” he said, adding he feels they have struck a moderate balance, “just the way the people of Qualicum Beach like it.”

“Having modest growth allows us to ensure the efficient provision of services, especially our water supply.”

“We’d all like to see more infill in the downtown core,” Westbroek said of some vacant lots in town, which would help the business community and generally be good for the town.

In the rural areas of District 69, Area F (Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) grew the most gaining 742 people, or 11.1 per cent.

That was followed by Area E (Nanoose Bay) which grew by 3.9 per cent, Area G (San Pareil, French Creek and Dashwood) grew 1.9 per cent and Area H (Qualicum Bay, Horne Lake and Deep Bay) grew one per cent, adding just 35 people.

In District 69 four rural “designated places” (smaller than a normal census subdivisions) shrank: Dashwood, Hilliers, Dunsmuir and Qualicum Bay.