After almost two years of extensive work, the solid waste management plan (SWMP) is nearly set to go out for public review and comment.
While still in draft form, the SWMP will be up for adoption over the next week by Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
Chief administrative officer John France said the draft plan moves towards the ultimate goal of being a zero waste community and includes an impressive range of waste reduction, reuse and recycling ideas. Additionally, the draft plan is supported by a planning level financial impact assessment, but France stressed they are extremely preliminary in nature.
As for public review, France said the question they'll be asking during the review process is whether the overall direction being proposed is one communities can support. The public will get to have their say throughout the spring as multi-faceted public consultations are currently being organized to take place in May and June.
"A variety of different tactics to inform people will be implemented," said manager of sustainable services Dion Whyte. "We are expecting to hold a series of open houses in Pender Harbour, Sechelt and Gibsons with opportunities for people to provide feedback as well as through questionnaires or surveys. We're also considering the possibility of focus groups, with specific stakeholder audiences, due to elements of the plan having a potential impact on certain sectors."
Once public feedback is received, it will be reviewed and analyzed. Any possible revisions needing to be made to the draft plan will then take place. It will be then handed over to SCRD directors. Staff is aiming to do this by July for final approval and ultimate adoption. From there, the formalized plan will be sent to the provincial government for further review and, potentially, approval. Once given the go-ahead, the plan will be implemented Coast-wide.
France is pleased about the upcoming public consultation. He referred to the work put into the plan as a productive process that included SCRD directors, municipal councils, staff and a dedicated committee of volunteers working together.
"I am sure residents will be excited by all the opportunities that exist to address our local waste issues," France said.
