The Hillside Develop-ment Group (HIDEGRO) has ambitious plans for 2009 to try to strengthen the Hillside Industrial Park in Port Mellon.HIDEGRO chair Al Strang appeared before the community services committee at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) last Thursday to provide some background on the group for directors, announce their priorities for 2009 and receive an endorsement on those priorities from the directors.
Hillside Industrial Park is located in the Port Mellon area, approximately 10 kilometres from Langdale. The park is a total of 720 acres, 260 of which are industrial land, 155 acres are in an environmental reserve, 55 acres are in a protected riparian zone and 158 acres are water leases.
The site was a former gravel pit and was sold by the province to the SCRD in 1990 for $2 million. Officially opened in 1995, capital costs of the park have been recouped through land sales.
Strang said HIDEGRO is a group of community members and elected officials, including some SCRD directors, who advise the board and staff on achieving goals for the park.
Goals for the industrial park include a positive co-existence of industry, the environment and existing housing in the park and vicinity; facilitation of employment and stable, well-paying jobs in the park; strengthening the SCRD tax base through the attraction of investment to the park; and to position the park as a sustainable and attractive entity that serves as a model to visitors and others.
Current members on HIDEGRO include SCRD directors Lee Turnbull, Lorne Lewis, general manager of community services Paul Fenwick serving in an advisory role and community members Strang, Hammy McClymont, Carol Service and Dawn Bezaire.
HIDEGRO's 2009 priorities, although ambitious, are achievable, Strang told the committee.
Priority one includes: potential partnerships pursued to capitalize on the demonstration forest at Hillside Park (for example, the Sechelt community forest, Squamish Indian Band, Capilano University and public/private partnerships); and reviewing tenures on Crown land near Hillside Industrial Park.
Priority two includes the potential for a collaborative use of access to waterfront and properties in proximity to the park be explored. This would be done with Coastland Wood Industries, City Transfer and the Squamish Nation.
Priority three includes: asking the Gibsons Community Initiatives Association (GCIA) to develop a strategic plan for business access to the waterfront in Area F. Included in these discussions would be working with Howe Sound Pulp and Paper on a possible deep sea dock.
The GCIA study would also take into account the existing official community plans, the need for business for marine access and haul out and the implications for Department of Fisheries and Oceans approval of proposal(s).
"This is all good stuff and I thank you for the work you have done on behalf of this group over the years," said Gibsons director Barry Janyk before the committee unanimously approved HIDEGRO's priorities and recommendations for 2009.
