Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has agreed to another extension of the state of local emergency declared by Sechelt just prior to the Feb. 15 evacuation of the Seawatch neighbourhood.
The state of emergency will remain in effect until at least midnight March 8.
The declaration says: “Life and property remain at risk due to land subsidence, including sinkhole formation and slope instability.”
Under a local state of emergency, the district has additional power to “regulate persons or property to protect the health, safety or welfare of people or to limit damage to property.”
According to the district, municipal officials continue to work with Sunshine Coast RCMP on security measures for the evacuated neighbourhood, which include regular patrols of the perimeter by district staff, RCMP “targeted” patrols, drone surveillance, and video surveillance.
The district also said RCMP have confirmed they will respond to reports of suspicious activity or public safety concerns in the Seawatch neighbourhood, and that any vehicles parked nearby which are not registered to addresses inside the evacuated area will be tracked.
It’s still unclear when, or if, residents will be allowed to temporarily return or arrange to move any items left behind.
The district has been consulting with geotechnical experts on how to reinforce roads. Communications manager Julie Rogers said this week that quotes have been sought on the equipment that would be needed and once they’re in, council will have to decide whether to go ahead.
