The Regional District of Nanaimo board has adopted the rezoning of properties in Electoral Area H (Shaw Hill, Qualicum Bay, Deep Bay, Bowser) to allow construction and operation of a wastewater treatment facility.
The amendment bylaw passed with no discussion or debate by the board, which held a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Also absent where the presence of residents and groups such as the Stop Bowser Ocean Sewage, and Area H Residents and Ratepayers Association, who had attended prior meetings to protest the regional district’s plan to discharge treated sewage into the ocean.
The vote, however, was not unanimous as Area G (French Creek, Dashwood, Englishman River) director Joe Stanhope opposed the adoption of the amendment bylaw.
The zoning amendment was given third reading on July 24 despite opposition expressed by residents who attended the public hearing on July 9. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approved the new zoning bylaw on July 26.
The Bowser Sewer Project, which will cost $10.7 million, will serve 99 parcels located in the village centre. It was awarded a $7.6-million Clean Water and Wastewater Fund grant with the balance of the cost to be paid for by four developers who agreed to make advance payments on development cost charges for future developments, and through taxation.
The plan is to build a wastewater treatment plant on a property located on Pitt Road and Shaughnessy Road and to flow the treated effluent into the Salish sea, approximately two kilometres from shore to a depth of 55 metres below sea level.
With the adoption of the the amendment bylaw done, the regional district aims to finalize the detailed design of the project as well as securing the different permits.
The process is expected to be completed before the end of this year and then put it to tender for construction to start in 2019.
The director of Stop Bowser Ocean Sewage Thomas Gates expressed disappointment that the RDN pushed the zoning changes with the special meeting being announced “the Friday before the busiest long weekend of the year with the vote during business hours on the next business day.”
“This type of ‘dictatorial’ tactic comes as no surprise nor does the placing of developer and economic interests above environment, health and safety, and the protection of the Salish Sea,” said Gates.”The strong opposition of 98.7 per cent of over 200 Area H residents who attended the hearing for the zoning amendment from residential to sewage plant, were callously disregarded by the board and chair in this final vote.”
Gates said Stop Bowser Ocean Sewage encourages the electorate to vote on October 20, for a change in leadership that will respect the wishes of the people.