Earlier this month, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board approved the 2026–2035 Water Efficiency Plan. The plan sets out how the SCRD will help conserve water and manage water use over the next 10 years. 

The plan supports the SCRD’s 10-Year Water Strategy. Its goal is to help provide a safe, reliable water supply while using available water as efficiently as possible. 

By bringing current and future water-saving programs together in one plan, the SCRD can better manage water demand, improve the reliability of the water system, and make informed decisions about future investments. The plan also includes a phased approach so programs can be reviewed and adjusted over time. 

The first phase, covering 2026–2027, will focus on: 

• Continuing the move to water billing based on the amount of water each property uses. 

• Improving how water use data is collected, managed, and reported. 

• Exploring Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which could provide customers with more timely information about their water use. 

• Setting water efficiency targets to track progress over time. 

You can read the plan here.  

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) officially celebrated the opening of the new xwilkway | Halfmoon Bay Community Hall yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community members, local elected officials and project contractors.

The new community hall provides a welcoming, accessible gathering space designed to support meetings, celebrations, recreational programs and community events for the entire community on the Sunshine Coast.

Located at 8108 Northwood Road in Connor Park, the hall will begin with a soft launch over the coming weeks, with full public rentals available this fall. Community groups, organizations and residents can book the space for a variety of events by visiting www.scrd.ca/community-hall-rentals.

While the hall is now fully operational, the final phase of site improvements will take place in fall 2026. Landscaping has been scheduled to align with the SCRD’s water conservation regulations and will further enhance the outdoor spaces surrounding the facility.

The SCRD thanks everyone who joined yesterday’s celebration and recognizes the support that made the project possible. Construction of the hall was funded largely through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, helping create a lasting community space that will serve residents for generations to come.

Come celebrate the grand opening of the new xwilkway | Halfmoon Bay Hall on July 8, 2026! 

Designed with accessibility, sustainability and connection in mind, the hall is ready to host everything from meetings and events to celebrations and community gatherings for years to come.  

The hall is opening ahead of the final phase of site improvements, with landscaping planned for fall 2026 to comply with the SCRD’s water conservation regulations. Once complete, this landscaping will further enhance the site and provide inviting outdoor spaces for residents and visitors. 

Join neighbours, friends, and local elected officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, opening remarks, and refreshments as we celebrate this exciting new addition to Halfmoon Bay.  

This project was made possible largely through funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. 

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: xwilkway | Halfmoon Bay Hall, Connor Park, 8108 Northwood Road, Halfmoon Bay 

Drop by and help us open the region’s newest gathering place! 

For more information about the project, visit: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/community-hall

The ReMembering Youth project, a collaborative initiative led by the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and School District 46 (SD46) and a contracted educator, has been recognized by the Planning Institute of BC with an honourable mention in the 2026 Excellence in Planning Awards.

The honourable mention, presented to the SCRD earlier this month at the Planning Institute of BC’s annual conference, recognizes the project’s success in creating meaningful opportunities for young people to share their experiences, aspirations and vision for the future of the Sunshine Coast while contributing to important community planning processes.

Launched in 2024 through funding provided by a Vancouver Coastal Health grant administered by BC Healthy Communities, ReMembering Youth was developed in response to 2022-2023 data showing that about one third of Sunshine Coast youth feel a low sense of belonging here. In addition, about one third of Sunshine Coast youth self-report a mental health condition.

The initiative explored belonging as a key factor in youth mental health and well-being while engaging students in civic learning and SCRD Official Community Plan renewal discussions. The intent was to facilitate learning opportunities for participating organizations and youth alike, while also gathering youth input on planning for the future.

Over the 2024–2025 school year, approximately 190 students from Elphinstone Secondary School and Chatelech Secondary School participated in a series of workshops, field trips and experiential learning activities designed to strengthen connections between youth, sense of place and community decision-making.

Quotes

“This recognition from the Planning Institute of BC is recognition of the power of partnership and the importance of creating opportunities for youth to help shape the future of our communities,” says SCRD Board Chair Alton Toth. “On behalf of the SCRD Board, I want to thank our partners at Vancouver Coastal Health, School District 46, participating educators and, most importantly, the students whose thoughtful contributions made this project such a success.”

“The ReMembering Youth initiative demonstrates a genuine commitment to recognizing young people as essential contributors to building healthier communities, and we are proud to be a partner” says Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, VCH Medical Health Officer for the Sunshine Coast. “This community planning approach has brought forward meaningful insight from local youth, and will strengthen their sense of belonging, resilience and well-being.”

“This project demonstrates what is possible when we create authentic opportunities for students to share their perspectives and help shape the future of their communities,” says Sunshine Coast Board of Education Chair Amanda Amaral. “We are proud to have partnered with the Sunshine Coast Regional District and Vancouver Coastal Health on this innovative initiative. The recognition from the Planning Institute of BC highlights the value of listening to young people and ensuring their voices are reflected in the decisions that affect their lives, well-being and sense of belonging.”

Project findings were included in a report to the SCRD’s Electoral Area Services Committee last year and in the Phase One OCP Engagement What We Heard Report.

Stay up to date with the SCRD’s Official Community Plan Renewal at letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal

At the June 11 Board meeting, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board adopted the 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP), marking a major milestone in shaping how waste will be managed across the region over the next decade.

The Plan is the result of more than three years of technical studies, collaboration with advisory committees, and engagement with residents, local governments, and First Nations. It establishes a long-term, community-informed roadmap for solid waste services, infrastructure investment, and environmental stewardship.

Public engagement played a central role in finalizing the Plan. To gather input, the SCRD developed and promoted an online survey and hosted in-person engagement opportunities, including 3 open houses and 11 pop-up events throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Respondents were provided background information and invited to share feedback on the proposed strategies and actions outlined in the draft Plan. The online survey was open for six weeks, from March 2 to April 10, 2026, alongside in-person engagement activities. Staff also presented the draft Plan to local governments, resulting in letters of support from the District of Sechelt and Town of Gibsons for submission to the Province.

All feedback collected during the engagement period was reviewed and compiled into an engagement summary report.

With the Plan now adopted, the SCRD will move forward with the final steps required under provincial guidelines, which include:

• Submit the 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan and public consultation summary to the Province for review and approval.
• Replace the current Public and Technical Advisory Committee with a new Plan Monitoring Advisory Committee to support implementation of the Plan.
• Advance priority projects, including the vertical expansion of the Sechelt landfill and other approved Plan actions, once provincial approval is received.

The adoption of the 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan marks an important step in advancing the Board’s Strategic Focus Area of Solid Waste Solutions and in delivering sustainable, reliable, and community-supported waste services for the Sunshine Coast.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is launching a new version of its main public web map, the Property Viewer.

The current Property Viewer has served the public for approximately 10 years and remains one of the most visited pages on the SCRD website, averaging over 200 visits each day.

The updated version will continue to provide the same trusted property information and mapping tools that users rely on, while offering a refreshed look, and responsive design for viewing on tablets and mobile.

New features include a more flexible search tool, the ability to share direct links to map views and property reports, and a new elevation profile tool enabling users to explore terrain and slope across the landscape. Through ongoing collaboration with municipalities, the redesigned property report now also includes expanded information from the Town of Gibsons, District of Sechelt and Islands Trust.

“Our goal for the new Property Viewer is to make public information more accessible and easier to use,” said Emilia Walton, SCRD Geographical Information Systems Coordinator. “Residents, businesses, and visitors will have access to valuable mapping tools and region-wide property information through a more modern and responsive platform.”

To support a smooth transition, both the current and new versions of the Property Viewer will remain available for several weeks following the launch. This overlap period will allow users time to become familiar with the new system while continuing to access the existing platform.

The Property Viewer is a public service provided by the SCRD’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Division.

GIS mapping tools support a wide range of public uses, including property research, route planning, conservation, and community planning. They also help residents better understand how land and infrastructure are connected across the region.

As part of the launch process, the SCRD is inviting users to provide feedback through a short online questionnaire. Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts.

The SCRD’s mapping services can be accessed at: www.scrd.ca/mapping/