Where should our communities grow and where should they not? What do we need to consider as we grow, when it comes to housing, climate and the environment? What type of housing do you think would suit your neighbourhood? Starting tomorrow, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be in communities asking these questions and more as we work to incorporate your feedback in the Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal Project. 

Before we continue, a reminder of what an OCP is. 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 and infrastructure 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.  

During the first phase of engagement, the SCRD heard from thousands of people in person and online about their priorities for both their own neighbourhoods and the region as a whole. We heard loud and clear that communities across the Sunshine Coast want an approach that focuses new housing in areas that already have services to help achieve our goals of improved affordability, livability, and the preservation of natural areas within and around our communities. All of this while ensuring that we maintain the character and uniqueness of our communities.  

At the same time, over the last six months the SCRD has undertaken technical analysis and reviews that show that new housing and services will be most efficient if they are focused in community hubs. This can help control costs associated with taxation for these services, while focusing amenities and services where they are needed most, all while respecting what makes these communities special in the first place.  

Taking all of this feedback and analysis, the SCRD is bringing forward a map that shows where opportunities for growth exist on the Sunshine Coast. These are locations suitable to handle development from a technical point of view. Where growth will actually be planned for has not yet been determined. Your feedback will help shape our communities as we plan for the future. 

So how can you provide your input? Well first please check out letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal to read up on the project. Then join us in person or online.  

In person 

Join us for Coffee, Tea and the OCP at the dates and locations below.  

• Saturday, February 7: London Drugs in Gibsons, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 9: Welcome Woods Market in Halfmoon Bay, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 
• Saturday, February 14: Roberts Creek General Store, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• Saturday, February 21: Gibsons and Area Community Centre (Coastal Tsunami Game), 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, February 28: Madeira Park IGA, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

A schedule for three community workshops will be released shortly. 

Online 

Take ten to fifteen minutes and complete our community questionnaire. You can find it by clicking here. The questionnaire will close on March 31. 

Please take some time to read the introduction to each section to help answer the questions. You can also check out this video which outlines what this phase of engagement is all about.   

As a thank you for taking our questionnaire we’re offering you the chance to win a gift card to a local business. Take the questionnaire, add your name and good luck! 

The name says it all, Official Community Plan. It’s about our community, and your voice is essential. 

Due to site safety concerns, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has suspended collection of drywall at the Pender Harbour Transfer Station.  

During a recent inspection, serious issues were discovered with the concrete pad that the drywall bin sits on. As a result, it is not safe for our hauling contractor to service bins from the pad until it is rebuilt.  

A new pad is part of the Pender Harbour Transfer Station site updates project that is due to get underway this fall.  

Until a new pad is in place or an alternative method of collection can be implemented, drywall collection will only be available at the Sechelt Landfill. Visit www.scrd.ca/landfill for information about the site and www.scrd.ca/asbestos for details about what is accepted for drywall recycling.  

The SCRD appreciates the community’s understanding with this disruption to service. Updates on resumption of drywall collection will be provided when available.  

Construction of the Halfmoon Bay Community Hall, located in Connor Park / ch’emalaḵ, is continuing on schedule. 

The hall, largely funded trough the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is scheduled to open this summer.  

Visitors to the area will have noticed the hall really starting to take shape. In the past few weeks construction crews have completed a significant amount of work on the inside of the hall including insulation and drywall. Landscape plans for the hall are complete, and remediation of the surrounding area will begin once all hardscaping has been done.  

Should weather conditions allow, in the coming weeks work will begin on an updated bicycle pump track which will be located above the hall. This work is being undertaken by a local volunteer who has led design and construction of pump tracks nationally and internationally.  

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

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has released its latest update on the 2023–2027 Board Strategic Plan, highlighting substantial progress across key service delivery areas.

The update, presented to the SCRD Board on January 22, provides residents with a clear picture of work underway in the Board’s top priorities, Water Stewardship and Solid Waste Solutions as well as the strategic lenses guiding all SCRD initiatives: Service Delivery Excellence, Climate Resilience & Environment, Social Equity & Reconciliation, and Governance Excellence.

The report, shows that most high-priority initiatives are either completed or well underway, with many on track for completion before the current Board term concludes in October 2026. This highlights how the Plan has brought clarity and coordination to the work, ensuring efforts remain focused and aligned with community needs.

“Across all departments, staff are working hard to deliver on the Board’s strategic direction,” says Tina Perreault, SCRD Chief Administrative Officer. “The report card clearly demonstrates how much has been accomplished and how closely aligned our daily operations are with the long-term priorities of the region.”

The companion Strategic Plan Report Card gives the community a detailed look at progress on several major initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades, planning milestones, and service improvements across the region.

Key Highlights From the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan Report Card

Water Stewardship

• Major upgrades to core treatment and distribution systems continue to advance, including significant progress on the Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant mechanical upgrades, now 75% complete and scheduled for finalization in early 2026.
• The Dogwood Reservoir project, required to support fire flow and system reliability, is 75% complete, with engineering underway to confirm long term solutions.
• The Leak Resolution Program, now fully operational, led to more than 743 leak notifications and the estimated saving of 335,680 litres of water per day.
• Implementation of volumetric billing is underway and will be fully in place across all water service areas by 2027.

Solid Waste Solutions

• The Solid Waste Management Plan Update is 75% complete, with public and intergovernmental engagement ongoing into early 2026.
• Feasibility studies for a new long term disposal option, including the potential vertical expansion of the Sechelt landfill, have been completed and presented to regional partners.
• The SCRD continues to expand waste diversion initiatives, including the Ocean Plastics Depot pilot (100% complete) and the installation of green waste receptacles across parks and community facilities.

The 2023-2027 Strategic Plan is available to view at www.scrd.ca/strategic-plan.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has released its fourth quarter update, highlighting significant progress on capital projects, community planning initiatives, emergency preparedness, and regional infrastructure improvements completed between October 1 and December 31, 2025.

This snapshot showcases key achievements from each department. Full quarterly reports are included in the January 22, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting agenda package.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

Water Meter Installation – District of Sechelt

This $12 million project, installing 4,500 water meters in Sechelt, is now 94% complete. It supports volumetric billing, leak detection, and water conservation, marking a major step in modernizing aging regional water infrastructure. The final large meter installations will be completed in early 2026.

 Halfmoon Bay Community Hall Construction

Construction continued at a strong pace, with window and door installation now complete and mechanical and plumbing work progressing. Landscape design also advanced. The project remains on track for completion in summer 2026, delivering a much-anticipated gathering and recreation space. Follow along with the progress of the hall at letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall.

Sechelt Landfill Vertical Expansion & Waste Export Feasibility

Feasibility studies on vertical expansion and off Coast waste export were completed. The Board has directed staff to include vertical expansion in the draft Solid Waste Management Plan for further engagement and analysis.

Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal

Foundational work on the multiyear OCP renewal continued through late 2025, preparing for broad public engagement in early 2026. The renewed plan will guide growth, housing, climate resilience, and land use priorities across the region.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Coopers Green Park Enhancements

Archaeological and geotechnical assessments were carried out to confirm the feasibility of the new washroom location. These findings will guide the next phase of park upgrades.

Rosemary Lane (Keats Island) Erosion Mitigation

A shoreline protection contract was awarded, and construction is underway to stabilize the Rosemary Lane foreshore. Completion is expected in early 2026.

Transit Service Expansion

Planning wrapped up for expanded transit services launching January 2026, including more frequent weekday service on Route 90 and enhanced handyDART operations. New handyDART fleet vehicles have arrived, improving accessibility and reliability for riders.

Sports Field Strategy

The regional Sports Field Strategy continued to move forward, with final recommendations expected in early 2026. The strategy will help guide long-term investment, maintenance standards, and coordinated recreation planning across local governments and the School District on the Sunshine Coast.

Parks Service Review

A Parks Service Review is taking place to define and document amenity classifications, recommend service levels, establish annual maintenance schedules and tasks, and identify the resources required to support service delivery.

CORPORATE & ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

SharePoint Records Migration

More than 926,000 electronic documents were successfully migrated to Microsoft 365 SharePoint Online, marking a major step in modernizing digital records, increasing collaboration, and improving long-term information management.

Hybrid Meeting Technology & Boardroom A/V Upgrades

A newly upgraded audiovisual system launched in fall 2025, streamlining hybrid public meetings with automated cameras, improved microphones, and enhanced streaming tools.

Langdale Wellfield – Elector Approval

The Alternative Approval Process concluded with elector responses below the required threshold, enabling borrowing for the Langdale Wellfield Construction Project.

Volumetric Water Billing Implementation

Work continued on the transition to a volumetric model. The first quarterly bill will be distributed for residents in the North and South Pender Water Service areas in April. Mock billing is anticipated to begin for the Regional Water Service later this year.

New Property Viewer

Development progressed on a modern, user-friendly Property Viewer powered by ESRI tools. Featuring new mapping layers, updated reporting, and improved print options, the application entered testing and will offer enhanced access to public property information.

EMERGENCY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES

911 Radio System Upgrades & Chapman Tower Study

Work continued on regional communications improvements, including acquiring new radio frequencies and assessing alternatives to a full tower replacement at Chapman Creek.

FireSmart Fuel Mitigation & Public Outreach

The FireSmart team completed extensive wildfire risk reduction work and have removed more than 250,000 lbs of material to date. Community outreach and neighbourhood engagement continued through this quarter.

Volunteer Fire Department Readiness

SCRD volunteer fire departments strengthened their training programs, and updated equipment. New recruits, improved prevention programs, and modernized gear helped bolster overall readiness.

Emergency Support Services Expansion

Emergency Support Services continued monthly training, supported standby responses, and enhanced preparations for the 2026 exercise schedule. Fourteen active members contributed to growing regional emergency readiness.

INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant UV Upgrade

A new UV system is under construction, improving reliability and ensuring safer drinking water even during equipment shutdowns. Completion remains on schedule for early 2026.

Pender Harbour Transfer Station Upgrades

Design work for Phase 2 upgrades is complete, with construction planned pending 2026 budget approvals. Improvements will enhance traffic flow, safety, and overall user experience at the transfer station.

Chapman, Edwards & McNeill Lake Dam Safety Upgrades

Upgrades to three major drinking water reservoirs reached completion in 2025. Final closeout scheduled for early 2026 will mark a major increase in long term system safety.

Sechelt Landfill Biocover Pilot

SCRD tested a biocover at the Sechelt Landfill to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Phase 1 showed economic and environmental benefits; Phase 2 piloted three test cells in 2023–2024. Results, summarized in a report, will be presented to the Board in early 2026.

 Langdale Wellfield Development

The Langdale Wellfield project continues toward detailed design in 2026. Once complete, it will strengthen regional water security and support the region during peak demand and drought conditions. The new source is expected to be online in 2028.

Ongoing Feasibility of the Sechelt / shíshálh Hospital Wellfield
Following successful test well results, the feasibility of advancing as a new water source continue. A water license application was submitted to the Province in June, a land use agreement is being developed with Vancouver Coastal Health and engagement is ongoing with the shíshálh Nation.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Land Use Inventory

The Regional Housing Coordinator continued building a detailed inventory of underutilized public, nonprofit, and community lands. Engagement with partners is underway to explore opportunities for this land.

Small Scale Cluster Housing & Home Conversion Project

A major feasibility study launching in early 2026 will explore small scale cluster housing and home conversions. The resulting Resident Developer’s Playbook will help homeowners and builders create gentle density housing solutions. This study is being conducted by the Regional Housing Coordinator.

Coastal Flood Risk Mapping

A detailed coastal flood risk mapping project was completed, providing updated insights into sea level rise, storm surge, and flood hazards. These findings will guide climate resilient planning and emergency response across the Coast.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is pleased to announce that the Keats Landing Dock has fully reopened and is once again available for vehicle use.

Construction began in early December and included essential repairs to restore the dock and ensure it is safe for vehicle traffic. All work has now been completed, allowing full access to resume.

Drivers are reminded that the dock has a maximum load limit of 7,500 kilograms and a speed limit of 10 km/h. Updated signage reflecting these requirements will be installed over the coming weeks.

The SCRD thanks residents, businesses, and visitors for their patience and cooperation throughout the closure and construction period.