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. 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is kicking off its financial planning process for 2026, and we want to hear from you! What services matter most to you? Where do you think investment is needed? Your input will help guide decisions that can shape the future of our communities.   

To help provide your input, the SCRD is launching a short questionnaire. The questionnaire shouldn’t take longer than five minutes to answer and, as a thank you for taking this time to provide your input, you can enter a draw for a gift card from a local Sunshine Coast business. The questionnaire will remain open until late November.  

Your answers will help inform the SCRD Board as they begin the Financial Planning process for 2026. The first meetings take place in late October, followed by Round 1 Budget meetings in December and Round 2 Budget meetings in February.  

For more information visit letstalk.scrd.ca/budget. On this page you can also ask questions and post your priorities for this year’s financial planning process.  

Later this year, the SCRD will host an open house with residents to discuss your priorities in person, stay tuned for more details.  

Last week, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), closed the floating dock at West Bay on Gambier Island due to structural concerns. See news release here.  

Following the closure, the SCRD worked with a contractor to determine the extent of the deterioration of the float. The contractor has informed the SCRD that there are short-term fixes that can be completed to secure the dock which would allow it to reopen for public use until it can be replaced.  

While the float will need to be closed and completely replaced in the coming year, the SCRD is pleased to be able to continue providing dock services for residents of West Bay through the winter months.  

Short term repairs will be completed in the coming weeks.  When the float reopens, it will be available for pick-up and drop-off only with no mooring permitted, until the new replacement is installed.

Further updates will be shared directly with the community via SCRD Ports Monitoring Committee members and at www.scrd.ca/docks  

Due to structural concerns, the floating dock at West Bay on Gambier Island is being closed for public use.  

A recent inspection has shown significant deterioration in the condition of the float. As a result, the float and gangway must be removed for safety reasons.  

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is working on a float replacement for West Bay, however when the procurement process and construction tendering is taken into consideration, it is anticipated that the project will not proceed until the middle of 2026 at the earliest. 

Further updates will be shared directly with the community via SCRD Ports Monitoring Committee members and at www.scrd.ca/docks 

The SCRD appreciates that this will cause an inconvenience for residents who use this dock and appreciate their understanding at this time. 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is celebrating the success of its 12^th annual Backroad Trash Bash, which took place on Saturday, September 27.

Twenty-six volunteers gathered to clean up trash illegally dumped at 27 sites from Roberts Creek to West Howe Sound. Volunteers included community residents, members of the Sunshine Coast Off-Road Club, Sunshine Coast Dirt Bike Association, Summerhill Fine Homes and the Conservation Officers Service.

Special thanks to Coast Bins Rentals for their generous support and the Gibsons Lions Club for cooking the volunteer’s lunch.

This year, 3,070 kilograms of illegally dumped waste was collected by community volunteers. This included 2,080 kg of waste, 990 kg of scrap metal, 7 mattresses and 10 tires. Of the materials collected tires, fridges, TVs and microwaves are recyclable for free at a local depot.

“We appreciate everyone who braved the less-than-ideal weather to help clean up garbage in our local forests,” says Marc Sole, SCRD Manager of Solid Waste Services. “Community cleanups like this make a real difference in keeping our region cleaner, safer, healthier, and more vibrant for everyone.”

To learn more about the Backroad Trash Bash, visit letstalk.scrd.ca/trash-bash.

For information on how to clean up an illegal dump site year-round in our region or how to report sites to the Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line, visit www.scrd.ca/illegal-dumping.