The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has decided to keep its island docks in place.
After examining the idea of divesting a number of its docks, including West Bay, Halkett Bay, Port Graves and Vaucroft, the SCRD recently held a series of open houses, including one in West Vancouver, to garner public feedback.
Concerns were raised from Gambier, Keats and Thormanby islands residents and vacation homeowners, with most wishing to see the docks stay put.
At the July 7 infrastructure services committee meeting, West Howe Sound director Lee Turnbull said she heard feedback on just how important the docks are to the islanders.
"When we took these docks over, what I was hearing from the islanders is that they regarded it as a public trust," said Turnbull. "For us to be now saying at this time that there must be some people who would take over, for me it's reneging on the responsibility that we took on in the beginning."
Turnbull suggested the docks be designated as heritage sites as well as looking further into the concept of essential service.
Board chair Garry Nohr echoed similar sentiments to Turnbull's, saying he heard many of the same comments at the open houses, including worries that dock divestiture would affect some residents' economic livelihoods. He also cited SCRD staff as having done a fine job with the open house process.
While the committee voted to keep the docks, they also discussed the issue of dock control by church camps and complaints of their exclusive use. The committee voted to move forward with church use negotiation with involvement from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Transit
SCRD staff presented directors with a BC Transit funding and improvement plan July 7.
Brian Sagman, SCRD manager of transportation and facilities, explained that under BC Transit's new transit improvement plan, the Sunshine Coast transit system has a group classification. Funding for a three-year expansion will be based on grouping rather than size or population, which Sagman further explained would be good for the Coast.
Committee members then engaged in lengthy discussion on Coast-wide transit issues.
Nohr said many Half-moon Bay residents have approached him with concerns over what was referred to as inadequate bus service in the area. Nohr suggested public input be collected on transportation.
"I would like to see if staff could come up with something to remedy the situation and get people out of their cars," Nohr said.
Sechelt Coun. Keith Thirkell expressed his desire to see transit serve the areas of Sandy Hook and Tuwanek.
Sagman said these and other matters are not only being examined by BC Transit, but are also referenced in the SCRD's transportation study, which is still being finalized.
Meanwhile, Pender Harbour is looking to hold a transit service referendum.
Area A director Eric Graham said that in order to work with BC Transit to attain a community bus service, the area needs to increase its current number of two bus riders per hour to 10, and the current bus schedule has been changed in order to meet that number.
"We're sincerely hoping to get it up to 10, and if we don't, then I don't feel we should go for a referendum because it will cost us a great deal of money," Graham said.
The referendum would address numerous issues including projected annual cost of and information on the proposed service. Should it proceed, Graham said it would be piggybacked onto November's municipal election.
The explanation came on the heels of Turnbull sharing her concerns over what she feels are Area A passengers paying the same as shorter distance riders to travel to the ferry.
The committee passed a motion for staff to examine the referendum preparation, with assurances that all related costs would be paid for by Area A residents.
