Editor:
The inevitable closure of the paper mill at Port Mellon is a wake-up call for all residents of the Sunshine Coast.
The future of West Howe Sound is the business of more than just a few big landowners, the operator of the remnant of the Port Mellon mill, offshore LNG interests, garbage burners, gravel pitters and hopeful medical marijuana growers.
West Howe Sound’s future is the legitimate business of everyone. While it struggles to drive the lower Sunshine Coast’s economy now, it will not in the future if it remains stuck in the resource-exploitive mindset of the 1950s or 1910s. More brain, less brawn is needed here.
Fortunately, there’s an immediate opportunity to help reclaim West Howe Sound from the few who consider it their personal fiefdom. Volunteers are needed to work on the SCRD committee about to begin a review of the Twin Creeks Official Community Plan in Area F. This OCP is outdated; it’s ridiculously inaccurate; it reflects the outrageous, hoary concept of West Howe Sound as an anything-goes, privately-controlled wasteland.
Like the rest of the Sunshine Coast, West Howe Sound needs to emphasize tourism, sustainable forestry, in-migration, and mid-scale business and commercial activities (such as health care and related facilities) that have a future. Specifically – and immediately – in the Twin Creeks area, we need to ensure sound housing development, public access to the waterfront, planning for future recreational facilities – especially ramps with parking for recreational boating in the area – and to address other public concerns, such as noise, light, and airborne pollution. Some are easy fixes; however, attracting viable businesses, such as a marine cluster, and other appropriate businesses and industries requires serious, long-term effort.
A good place to start changing the status quo is participating on the Twin Creeks OCP committee. You can find out how by contacting David Rafael, senior planner, [email protected] (604-885-6804, ext. 4).
Don Townson, Langdale
