The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), in partnership with the Town of Gibsons, District of Sechelt, and Islands Trust, has completed the Coastal Flood Mapping Project.

The project will help residents, governments and other agencies understand and prepare for the impacts of sea level rise and coastal flooding across the Sunshine Coast.

Fully funded through the Union of BC Municipalities’ Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program, the project provides the first consistent, coast-wide maps showing where and how coastal flooding and erosion could affect local communities. The maps identify areas at risk under various sea level rise and storm scenarios and include detailed information about potential future (the minimum safe elevation for new buildings) and a Coastal Vulnerability Index showing which shorelines are most exposed to erosion.

About nine percent of the Sunshine Coast’s coastline was found to have high vulnerability to erosion and seven percent of properties were found to have flooding hazards at current sea levels.

The project goes beyond mapping flood zones. It provides practical recommendations for how local governments can strengthen existing development regulations to better address coastal flooding hazards and reduce risk for future construction. These insights will be used to inform upcoming and ongoing SCRD projects such as Official Community Plan renewals, development permit area reviews, evacuation route planning, and parks management.

For homeowners whose properties fall below the flood risk lines identified in the mapping, there are practical steps available to reduce potential flood impacts in the coming decades. The Green Shores program is one example of available support, helping landowners and construction professionals create more secure, nature-based shorelines that resist erosion and flooding while enhancing natural beauty and property value.

The maps and supporting resources; including FAQs, a project overview, and guidance on how to interpret the results are available at: letstalk.scrd.ca/coastal-flooding and scrd.ca/climate

The results will also be shared with partner agencies such as BC Ferries, BC Hydro, and FortisBC, and with neighbouring First Nations governments.

A public workshop is being planned for late 2025 in partnership with Green Shores to explore nature-based solutions for coastal resilience.

Construction of the Halfmoon Bay Community Hall, located in Connor Park / ch’emalaḵ, continues to move forward on schedule since breaking ground in April.

Over the past few months, crews have completed several major milestones that mark strong progress toward bringing this community gathering space to life:

• The wall framing is complete and the roof is now on, giving the new hall its shape and structure.
• Next up, crews will begin electrical and plumbing rough ins inside the building.
• A landscape plan is also in development to enhance the surrounding outdoor spaces.

This project, largely funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, remains on track for completion, with the hall expected to be ready for community use by Summer 2026.

Visitors to Connor Park may notice some temporary changes to parking availability as construction continues.

Stay connected and follow the hall’s progress at letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall.

Ask questions anytime and watch as the hall takes shape!

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) FireSmart program continues to make strides in community wildfire preparedness, with this year marked by strong public engagement, neighborhood participation, and continued fuel reduction efforts.

Although some larger-scale fuel treatments were delayed, the SCRD FireSmart team successfully completed a treatment at Brookman Park in Sechelt. Small ongoing treatments were also carried out at Whispering Firs Park and Georgia Crest Park, and a FireSmart cleanup day was organized in collaboration with the Tuwanek Community. To date, the team has removed over 200,000 pounds (that’s the equivalent of 25 elephants!) of forest floor and community debris, reducing wildfire risk across the region.

Community interest in FireSmart programs remains high. Several neighborhoods have begun the application process for FireSmart Canada Recognized Neighborhood status, and multiple Strata Councils are requesting Wildfire Risk Assessments. Notably, the Sherwood Grove Strata Council, a previous Recognized Neighborhood, recently received a $2,000 discount on their strata insurance due to their status.

Educational programming continues to be a key focus. Quarterly storytelling sessions at the Gibsons and Sechelt Libraries are now scheduled through 2026, and the FireSmart team delivered the BC Girl Guide FireSmart program to more than 500 campers and leaders at Camp Olave.

Public engagement between July 1 and September 30 included approximately 18 events, ranging from neighborhood association gatherings and farmers markets to the Halfmoon Bay Fair, the Egmont Fire Department’s two-day boot drive, Pender Harbour Days, St. Barts Annual Barbecue, and the Coast Rod & Gun Club Fall Fair.

FireSmart operational achievements through July and September include:

• 137 Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) assessments
• 7 Community Wildfire Risk Assessments
• 9 Wildfire Mitigation Program assessments

For more information about the SCRD FireSmart program, or to schedule your free assessment, visit: www.scrd.ca/firesmart

Updated – October 27 – Please note that there was an error in the original version of the news release below. The total number of litres saved through resolving leaks is 1.345 million litres per day. 

At the October 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) shared an update on the success of its Universal Water Meter Installation Program, highlighting significant water savings and improved drought resilience across the region.

Initiated in 2013 as part of the Comprehensive Regional Water Plan, the Universal Metering Program was designed to address long-term water supply challenges through intensive demand management. With Phase 3 nearing completion in the District of Sechelt, 4,033 of 4,424 meters have been installed — averaging nine installations per day.

Key project milestones include:

• Major Leak Repairs: Between September 2024 and August 2025, the SCRD resolved major leaks that saved approximately 1.345 million litres of water every day — enough to meet the daily needs of over 1,200 new homes. That’s the equivalent of saving a little more than half an Olympic-sized swimming pool every single day, or more than 195 Olympic pools per year.
• Water Literacy Impact: Properties participating in the Monthly Water Use Update program reduced their water use by an average of 11% after one year of receiving personalized data. Residents can sign up to track their own water use at scrd.ca/water-use.
• Drought Management Benefits: Thanks to detailed meter data, the South Pender Water System was able to avoid escalating to Stage 3 water conservation regulations this year. Meanwhile, the Chapman Water System saved more than 1.1 million litres per day during the peak summer months — equivalent to nearly half an Olympic pool every day.
• Future Savings Potential: Early readings from newly installed meters in Sechelt suggest future savings of up to one million litres per day on the Chapman Water System — that’s about 146 Olympic pools per year in potential conservation.

Once complete, universal metering will enable volumetric billing for over 11,000 properties, improving transparency and encouraging responsible water use. Meter data will also support future water efficiency planning and infrastructure decisions.

The SCRD will continue to communicate with residents about leak detection and water-saving opportunities through direct mail, social media, and future updates.

For more information about the Universal Water Metering Program, visit letstalk.scrd.ca/water-metering

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is moving forward with plans to increase the region’s water supply through the Langdale Wellfield Construction Project. The project, located near the BC Ferries Langdale terminal, is a key initiative in SCRD’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan to secure reliable and diverse water sources.

To fund the project, the SCRD proposes borrowing up to $13.18 million over a 20-year term. This borrowing would result in an estimated annual cost of $97.28 for affected property owners, applied through the Regional Water Service parcel tax.

The borrowing bylaw has received three readings and has been reviewed and approved by the Inspector of Municipalities.

So, what is an AAP? Quite simply, if the SCRD wants to take out a long-term loan, the approval of the electors is required. The AAP is a process where you only submit a response form if you are opposed to the proposal – in this case, opposed to the borrowing.

The elector response form and information about the AAP is available at www.scrd.ca/aap as well as at the SCRD office at 1975 Field Road, Wilson Creek, during regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Elector response forms must be received at the SCRD Field Road office before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025.

Due to the ongoing Canada Post labour disruption, mail-in submission of Elector Response Forms will not be accepted for this process.  Electors may submit completed response forms by the following methods:

• by email to legislative@scrd.ca Forms must be received before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025;
• in person at the SCRD Administration Office, 1975 Field Road, Sechelt, BC V7Z 0A8, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays); or,
• by deposit in the mail-drop slot located on the east side of the SCRD Field Road Administration Office 24 hours per day/7 days a week.

If you require assistance submitting your Elector Response Form and are unable to use email or in-person delivery, please contact Sherry Reid at legislative@scrd.ca as early as possible in the submission period to discuss alternative arrangements.

SCRD staff will also be available in-person at the Field Road office Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays, to answer questions related to the AAP.

More information on this AAP may be obtained by contacting Sherry Reid, Corporate Officer by telephone at 604-885-6825. The public is invited to submit questions about this AAP at letstalk.scrd.ca/langdale-well

Over the past year, Sunshine Coast residents have contributed their voices to shaping the future of their communities.  The SCRD project team engaged with residents right across the Coast; on beaches and trails, at community festivals and markets on a range of key issues that will inform the development of the Official Community Plan (OCP).  

This was the first of three engagement processes on the OCP Renewal Project. The project is set to be completed in 2027.  

The feedback received by the SCRD to date was presented to the SCRD’s Electoral Area Services committee yesterday and can be found by clicking here for the ‘What We Heard Report.’ 

So, what is an OCP? An OCP is like a roadmap for the future. It guides how our communities grow, evolve, and respond to change. Whether it’s planning neighbourhoods, determining housing options, protecting the environment, developing parks, or preparing for the impacts of climate change, the OCP sets the course for decision-making that affects everyone, now and for generations to come.   

The engagement conducted from October 2024 to October 2025 included; 

• A series of 11 high school workshops which involved 190 students 

• 14 in-person events  

• A workshop for Advisory Planning Commissions 

• 1,290 responses through an interactive survey and crowdsource map  

• 765 participants at public events

What did we ask?

The community was asked to weigh in on six topics: 

• Valued Aspects of Living on the Sunshine Coast 

• Housing 

• Climate & Environment  

• Balancing Growth and Nature 

• Getting Around Without a Car 

• Community Features 

Feedback

The feedback received by the SCRD revealed 33 general themes that will help guide the planning process. Among the standout findings: 

• The Sunshine Coast’s small-community atmosphere and strong sense of belonging were cherished by many respondents. 

• Housing supply and affordability emerged as significant concerns, with expanding housing types seen as a key solution. 

• Respondents expressed deep appreciation for the Sunshine Coast’s parks, forests, and trail networks, while also voicing concerns about the impacts of climate change on local watersheds and marine habitats. 

• Participants emphasized the importance of concentrating growth in areas with existing infrastructure to mitigate sprawl and protect sensitive ecosystems. 

• Safe and accessible transit options, along with multi-use pathways, were seen as essential to reducing reliance on cars and enhancing mobility. 

• Youth engagement highlighted the need for community spaces that support recreation and offer safe, inclusive gathering places. 

Next Steps
The next opportunity to participate is in early 2026 when residents will be invited to review and provide input on the draft growth areas, ensuring continued community involvement in shaping the future of the Sunshine Coast.  

The feedback gathered to date will play a crucial role in informing the development of draft growth areas and trade-offs.  This feedback, combined with technical studies, policy analysis, and direction from the SCRD Board, will shape the region’s planning priorities. 

Stay tuned to letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal. Don’t forget to subscribe for updates and thank you for taking part in the first phase of this vital project for our region.