September 25, 2015
Dear Mayor and Councillors,
During the September 21 council meeting, the mayor reported on discussions held by the Regional District regarding the future administration of water within the region. The concept was put forward that the Regional District could assume the responsibility for water management throughout, including municipalities within the region. The mayor expressed his concerns with this concept and questioned if the matter were to be voted on, if the voting results would be binding to all parties. The mayor reported his understanding that if such a vote were to occur, it would not be binding.
The Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association board strongly supports the position expressed by the mayor. Qualicum Beach has responsibly managed the development and use of water resources as well as preserving the critical balance of demand due to growth and supply of accessible water.
The QBRA board does not believe it is in the town’s best interests to relinquish this practice of responsible water management to the regional district. Growth management at the regional level does not appear to complement critical resource availability, such as water. Further, while a sector of the district may be blessed with a stable water supply, that sector does not have proportionate voting rights on matters such as growth within the district.
We are learning every day that water is a finite resource. Water is life and without water we will no longer exist. That is a fact. Given this importance, we believe government at all levels has a responsibility to manage the demand for growth versus the ability to supply critical resources, including water.
Since municipalities have the best opportunity to manage growth, we believe municipalities are in the best position to manage the balance of growth demand versus water supply.
Lance Nater, Director Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association
Dear Mayor and Councillors,
During the September 21 council meeting, the mayor reported on discussions held by the Regional District regarding the future administration of water within the region. The concept was put forward that the Regional District could assume the responsibility for water management throughout, including municipalities within the region. The mayor expressed his concerns with this concept and questioned if the matter were to be voted on, if the voting results would be binding to all parties. The mayor reported his understanding that if such a vote were to occur, it would not be binding.
The Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association board strongly supports the position expressed by the mayor. Qualicum Beach has responsibly managed the development and use of water resources as well as preserving the critical balance of demand due to growth and supply of accessible water.
The QBRA board does not believe it is in the town’s best interests to relinquish this practice of responsible water management to the regional district. Growth management at the regional level does not appear to complement critical resource availability, such as water. Further, while a sector of the district may be blessed with a stable water supply, that sector does not have proportionate voting rights on matters such as growth within the district.
We are learning every day that water is a finite resource. Water is life and without water we will no longer exist. That is a fact. Given this importance, we believe government at all levels has a responsibility to manage the demand for growth versus the ability to supply critical resources, including water.
Since municipalities have the best opportunity to manage growth, we believe municipalities are in the best position to manage the balance of growth demand versus water supply.
Lance Nater, Director Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association
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