The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has completed Phase Two of community engagement for the Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal Project, gathering feedback from residents, organizations, agencies, governments, and First Nations across the region between early February and mid-April.

Building on the vision and values that were heard in Phase One, in Phase Two community members were invited to provide input on areas for growth suitability, regional priorities, and a proposed land use organizing framework that will help shape future OCP policies and zoning approaches.

Community outreach efforts included more than 9,200 postcards mailed to households, print advertising, news releases, social media campaigns, and direct email notices.

Phase Two engagement included a combination of in-person and online opportunities designed to reach residents in the five SCRD Electoral Areas. Staff hosted in-person community check-ins in each area, along with community workshops in Pender Harbour, Sechelt and Gibsons. Interviews were held with housing, climate, and environmental experts, and Advisory Planning Commission members attended an in-depth workshop.

Online, the community had their say via a questionnaire on the project’s engagement site.

Feedback from participants has been compiled and analyzed in the “What We Heard Report,” which identifies regional and electoral area themes that will inform the next stages of OCP development. This report, along with community submissions were presented at the SCRD’s Electoral Area Services Committee on Thursday, May 21.

Key Themes Emerging from Engagement

 Several key themes emerged during Phase Two engagement, including:

• Protecting and enhancing community identity and character
• Preserving intact natural areas as part of climate resilience
• Supporting diverse housing forms in areas within existing service areas
• Balancing housing growth with environmental protection
• Improving development processes while addressing affordability challenges

 Collaboration with First Nations, Governments and Agencies

 The SCRD also received input from shíshálh Nation, Vancouver Coastal Health, School District 46, and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. Staff noted that early collaboration with partner agencies and governments is helping improve coordination and will support more effective implementation of future land use policies and bylaws.

 Next Steps

Feedback from both Phase One and Phase Two engagement will help guide:

• Development of OCP objectives in 2026
• Drafting of OCP policies through 2026 and early 2027
• OCP land use designations and a corresponding zoning bylaw

The OCP Renewal Project will continue through 2027, with additional opportunities for public participation planned as draft policies and land use concepts are developed.

Join the subscription for OCP project updates and find project information at letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is inviting residents to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month this June by getting involved in a new Parks Volunteer Program.

The program offers a range of opportunities for individuals and groups to support the care and stewardship of SCRD parks and trails, including Adopt a Park, Adopt a Trail, invasive species removal, park clean-ups, and wildfire mitigation activities.

Volunteer opportunities are designed to be flexible and accessible, with both one-day events and longer-term commitments available. No prior experience is required, and training is provided.

Or maybe you have an idea to improve your local park or community space? The SCRD wants to help bring these ideas to life through the Community Led Initiative Program (CLIP), supporting community-driven projects that enhance local parks and public spaces.

CLIP enables community groups to lead park and recreation projects—from concept through construction and ongoing maintenance—while taking on primary responsibility for funding and delivery.

The SCRD supports these initiatives by providing guidance through planning, permitting, and approvals, helping bring community-driven ideas to life.

More information can be found by visiting: scrd.ca/volunteer-parks

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has successfully completed the Chaster Well Improvement Project, restoring and significantly enhancing a key groundwater source for the Chapman Water System.

Completed in late March 2026, the upgraded well is now capable of delivering approximately 50 per cent more water at peak capacity, producing up to 1.4 million litres per day (16 litres per second). This increase strengthens the reliability of the region’s water supply, particularly during periods of high demand and drought conditions.

The Chaster Well plays an important role in the regional water system, historically supplying roughly 10 to 12 per cent of summer water demand. The well experienced a critical pump failure in August 2024, prompting urgent repair and upgrade work to restore service and improve long-term performance.

The improvements come at an important time as the SCRD continues to strengthen water supply resilience amid growing demand and seasonal water supply pressures.

During construction, contingency planning ensured that water demand could continue to be met through other sources, such as the Church Road Wellfield in the system if needed.

 For more information about regional water services and conservation measures, visit scrd.ca/water.

The campfire ban has been lifted for the Sunshine Coast effective Friday, May 15, 2026, at noon.

The campfire ban was initially implemented due to a combination of elevated wildfire risk factors. Current and forecast conditions have since shifted, bringing cooler temperatures, improved humidity values and an overall reduction in wildfire hazard throughout the Coastal Fire Centre.

Despite this, Fire Chiefs from Sunshine Coast fire departments in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont are asking for extreme caution from our community should you be considering having a campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations.

Reminders about campfires:

1. A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
2. Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
3. Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
4. Never leave a fire unattended.
5. Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time

While campfires will be allowed on the Sunshine Coast, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages. These restrictions will remain in place until October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded. Open burning continues to be always restricted within the Town of Gibsons.

A great resource explaining the different categories of open burning is available here online.

Please contact your local fire department for more information at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

Fire Chiefs from Sunshine Coast fire departments in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont are advising residents that a campfire ban will be effective 12:00 noon Thursday, May 7, 2026, across the Sunshine Coast.

In addition to this prohibition, the Coastal Fire Centre will maintain the current Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions.

This includes all fires whether for warmth or cooking and all beach fires, burning barrels, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns. This also includes wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building.

A great resource explaining the different categories of open burning is available here online.

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

This ban will be in place until Friday, October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded.

Please contact your local fire department for more information at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

This week, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is issuing 2026 annual utility bills to property owners in Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone and West Howe Sound who receive SCRD curbside collection, water and SCRD wastewater services.

Rates reflect ongoing efforts to maintain reliable services, invest in infrastructure, and ensure long-term sustainability of water systems across the region.

Questions about your utility bill
Each year, the SCRD receives hundreds of calls and emails from the community in relation to utility bills.

Our staff aim to respond to enquiries within 72-hours. Members of the public attending the front counter at the main Field Road office may experience a delay while staff deal with other enquiries.

The SCRD has a respectful workplace policy, and the safety and wellbeing of our staff is our primary concern.  The SCRD asks that members of the community be respectful when speaking with staff.

You can also ask questions about your bill at letstalk.scrd.ca/utility-bill.

Other questions
Information on options to pay monthly and deadlines for payments will be available on the bill. You can also check out the frequently asked questions that are listed at www.scrd.ca/utility-bill.

Volumetric Billing
In your utility bill, you will find an insert with information on volumetric billing. This is a new way of billing for water that will be introduced for customers on the Regional Water Service in 2027. You can learn more about this project at letstalk.scrd.ca/water-billing.

North and South Pender Harbour residents received their first volumetric bill earlier this month. Further information can be found here.