Cumberland BC: The Cumberlander Articles Section
Local · 14th September 2007
Editor
By Colleen Dane
Record Staff
Sep 14 2007
Those in favour of the proposed Kensington Island Properties development and those against it — those who supported incorporation of Union Bay and those who opposed it — all came together this week in unison to say one thing:
It’s not fair that the Ministry of Community Services is demanding they give up their water rights without allowing any negotiations of when and how it will happen.
“I think for the first time in three years of town-hall meetings we have consensus,” said James Smith, Union Bay Improvement District trustee.
It was the conclusion to a nearly two-and-a-half-hour public information meeting for the residents of Union Bay, hosted by their improvement district to explain debate over the community’s water supply.
The topic brought out around 120 people to hear the case of their local trustees, the Comox Strathcona Regional DIstrict and the Ministry of Community Services.
Residents were told that after an agreement was made between the UBID and CSRD that the local area would become a part of a regional water system, and as a result would hand over their water licences at a to-be-negotiated time, the ministry has indicated that there will be no negotiations.
The licences will be handed over, they said, at the time they determine is appropriate.
“It is not about giving up local control — it’s about joining together with your neighbours,” said Gary Paget, the ministry representative at the meeting.
“I see this as an opportunity to move forward — we have had opportunities placed on us as a regional district and I believe ... we’re up to the challenge,” said Graeme Faris, the regional district’s general manager of operations.
UBID trustees — sitting at a distinctly separate table from the other representatives and often wearing looks of disappointment and frustration — agreed the regional water system was a good idea and said they’d already agreed to support it.
They disagreed with it being imposed on them with no room for input regarding timing and what will be included in the exchange.
“We all agree with that (the regional system) and agree it’s a great idea ... but give us some room to negotiate the details,” said Smith.
It’s an issue thickened with the Kensington Island Properties development proposal — and required only because of it. Paget said clearly that none of this would happen if the KIP properties application doesn’t get final adoption — and if they do, that the transfer of licences would happen when the developer has built the treatment centre.
The UBID largely agrees that that’s too soon to transfer the licences — and said they also dislike that the KIP development seems to be contingent on them agreeing to it (though details of the KIP and CSRD development agreement have not been released to the public while they’re still in negotiations).
The Union Bay public especially didn’t like that.
“If that is true ... that is totally unfair and unwarranted,” said Barry Bowen about the apparent tie between KIP and the water licence transfer. “If this is the case I think it is a sad testament of what has happened over the last 14 months.”
KIP vice-president Brian McMahon was at the meeting, but didn’t speak to the group.
The public information meeting ended up being just that — an opportunity for the UBID to inform ratepayers of the situation they’re in. They also wanted to give the Ministry of Community Services and CSRD a chance to hear what the residents of the community felt about the plan.
What the ratepayers largely said was that the regional water system plan is a sound one — and if they agreed to that, there should be the availability for discussion about when the licence transfer happens.
“This is about looking forward,” said Paget in an exchange with one resident.
“Precisely — we’re looking way forward, but you want the answer now,” said Ruth McVeigh.
Record Staff
Sep 14 2007
Those in favour of the proposed Kensington Island Properties development and those against it — those who supported incorporation of Union Bay and those who opposed it — all came together this week in unison to say one thing:
It’s not fair that the Ministry of Community Services is demanding they give up their water rights without allowing any negotiations of when and how it will happen.
“I think for the first time in three years of town-hall meetings we have consensus,” said James Smith, Union Bay Improvement District trustee.
It was the conclusion to a nearly two-and-a-half-hour public information meeting for the residents of Union Bay, hosted by their improvement district to explain debate over the community’s water supply.
The topic brought out around 120 people to hear the case of their local trustees, the Comox Strathcona Regional DIstrict and the Ministry of Community Services.
Residents were told that after an agreement was made between the UBID and CSRD that the local area would become a part of a regional water system, and as a result would hand over their water licences at a to-be-negotiated time, the ministry has indicated that there will be no negotiations.
The licences will be handed over, they said, at the time they determine is appropriate.
“It is not about giving up local control — it’s about joining together with your neighbours,” said Gary Paget, the ministry representative at the meeting.
“I see this as an opportunity to move forward — we have had opportunities placed on us as a regional district and I believe ... we’re up to the challenge,” said Graeme Faris, the regional district’s general manager of operations.
UBID trustees — sitting at a distinctly separate table from the other representatives and often wearing looks of disappointment and frustration — agreed the regional water system was a good idea and said they’d already agreed to support it.
They disagreed with it being imposed on them with no room for input regarding timing and what will be included in the exchange.
“We all agree with that (the regional system) and agree it’s a great idea ... but give us some room to negotiate the details,” said Smith.
It’s an issue thickened with the Kensington Island Properties development proposal — and required only because of it. Paget said clearly that none of this would happen if the KIP properties application doesn’t get final adoption — and if they do, that the transfer of licences would happen when the developer has built the treatment centre.
The UBID largely agrees that that’s too soon to transfer the licences — and said they also dislike that the KIP development seems to be contingent on them agreeing to it (though details of the KIP and CSRD development agreement have not been released to the public while they’re still in negotiations).
The Union Bay public especially didn’t like that.
“If that is true ... that is totally unfair and unwarranted,” said Barry Bowen about the apparent tie between KIP and the water licence transfer. “If this is the case I think it is a sad testament of what has happened over the last 14 months.”
KIP vice-president Brian McMahon was at the meeting, but didn’t speak to the group.
The public information meeting ended up being just that — an opportunity for the UBID to inform ratepayers of the situation they’re in. They also wanted to give the Ministry of Community Services and CSRD a chance to hear what the residents of the community felt about the plan.
What the ratepayers largely said was that the regional water system plan is a sound one — and if they agreed to that, there should be the availability for discussion about when the licence transfer happens.
“This is about looking forward,” said Paget in an exchange with one resident.
“Precisely — we’re looking way forward, but you want the answer now,” said Ruth McVeigh.
