qathet Regional District’s (qRD)board will consider contracting Tetra Tech Canada to complete a landslide hazard assessment study for Savary Island. The contract would have a value of $20,500.
At the June 7 finance committee meeting, directors considered a recommendation for the study, which, according to a staff report, was included by staff as a planning project as part of the island’s official community plan update. The staff report stated that the study would update the 2003 Savary Island dune and shoreline study with consideration of climate change and coastal flooding.
“The objective of the study will be to identify areas on Savary Island which may be vulnerable to landslide and erosion,” the report stated. “The study will establish recommended coastal hazard setback lines for the entire perimeter of the island to ensure building locations, wells and septic are safe from erosion hazards.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne made a motion to forward the matter to the planning committee for consideration. City of Powell River director Cindy Elliott said sending the matter to the planning committee would create a month’s delay, so she asked if there are time constraints for the contract.
“Generally speaking, it’s a long delay and it’s probably on this agenda because they want to move it forward,” said Elliott.
qRD manager of planning services Laura Roddan said it was a precursor to Savary Island’s official community plan update, which is scheduled to start in September.
“This is an important background study for that project,” said Roddan. “The project is in the work plan in the budget. Projects over $10,000 must be approved by the board.
“From my perspective, it is time sensitive. The consultant has said they can complete it by the end of August.”
After discussion, Gisborne said he was opposed to postponing consideration so the finance committee defeated the motion to send matter to the planning committee. The motion to forward the Tetra Tech Canada prospective contract to the regional board carried.
