News Release
Solid Waste Management Plan Update Engagement Begins
May 8, 2023
We are talking trash again. You know – garbage, recycling, landfills – that kind of trash.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is beginning the process of updating the Solid Waste Management Plan (the Plan), aka the roadmap of how the SCRD and member jurisdictions will manage garbage, recycling, yard and food waste programs for the next decade.
The previous 2011 Plan established goals and targets for waste reduction and supporting strategies and actions, many of which have been successfully implemented and achieved, such as organics diversion and Waste Reduction Initiatives Program. The SCRD will review the 2011 Plan, confirm guiding principles, evaluate long-term waste disposal options and financial implications.
What’s the Goal?
We want to produce less waste. In a recent report, it was found that 46% of materials in the landfill could have been recycled or composted. The regional waste disposal rate is just above the target for BC, about 421 kg per person per year. The Plan will present the programs, services, infrastructure and policies that will help us achieve this goal.
Get Involved!
Over the next two years, there will be multiple engagement opportunities for the community to provide feedback – starting now! Fill out the short feedback form to let us know what services you use, and what your priorities are as we begin this process.
A Public and Technical Advisory Committee has been established to provide input on the plan from the community and technical perspective. These meetings are public, more information can be found at www.scrd.ca/ptac
For more information on the Solid Waste Management Plan update, visit https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash
Enquiries:
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
604-885-6800, extension 6123
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca
Home Composter Rebates – Apply before you buy!
May 8, 2023
Home Composter Rebates are back for another year. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has rebates of up to $100 available for starting or expanding home composting.
Rebates are available to homeowners all along the coast, from Egmont to West Howe Sound, including SCRD islands, as well as, District of Sechelt, shíshálh Nation Government District and Town of Gibsons. Applications will be accepted until September 1, 2023 or until funding for this year is exhausted.
Find more information at www.scrd.ca/composting including:
- Eligibility criteria,
- Application process (including forms),
- Resources for choosing a composter that fits the needs of your home, and
- How to mitigate potential wildlife interactions by composting responsibly.
Follows us on Facebook this week for daily tips and to learn more about composting at https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastrd.
Interested applicants must apply and be approved before purchasing a composter to receive a rebate.
Questions and completed applications should be sent to infrastructure@scrd.ca.
Learn more at http://www.scrd.ca/composting.
Trail Closure – O’Brian Road & Mintie Road
May 5, 2023
The connector trail at George Cormack Park that links Mintie Road and O’Brian Road is closed at this time. The lower section trail is on private property, not on SCRD owned, or operated land. Due to it being on private land, SCRD Parks has been requested to close this portion of the trail.
Staff are working to create a properly routed connection to reestablish the important community connector trail. The project is well underway and there are several important steps that must be taken prior to the trail being reestablished. Over the last few weeks, staff have been working closely with the shíshálh Nation and, prior to construction, must complete an archeological assessment and an environmental assessment due to the rare and sensitive ecological nature of this location.
Once the proper planning and approvals are secured, staff have a plan in place to move in and reestablish the Mintie Road connector trail.
Stay tuned to www.scrd.ca for updates.
2023 Utility Bills Have Been Issued
April 26, 2023
Utility bills for 2023 are being mailed out to Sunshine Coast property owners who receive water, wastewater and curbside collection service from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
As you will see from your bill, rates have increased. In mid-April, the SCRD Chair, Leonard Lee provided a message to the community in the Coast Reporter newspaper with some context as to why rates have gone up. This message will also be in every utility bill and can be found here on the SCRD Website.
Here is some further information about 2023 utility bills.
Rates
This year’s rates can be found at www.scrd.ca/utility-bill and at letstalk.scrd.ca/utility-bill
New way to pay
You can now pay your utility bill by visiting www.scrd.ca/pay and selecting ‘Utility Bills’ on the menu that is provided. All you need to pay is your address and a credit card.
There are several other ways to pay which are all outlined at www.scrd.ca/utility-bill.
Questions about your utility bill
Last year, more than 2,000 calls and emails were received by the SCRD from the community in relation to utility bills.
Our staff aim to respond to enquiries within 48-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. Any foul or disparaging language will not be tolerated and will result in your call being terminated immediately.
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.
Enquiries
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca
The Garbage Barge is Back for Islands Clean Up
April 25, 2023
The garbage barge will be back on the water this summer for the Islands Clean Up.
Islands Clean Up is an annual residential garbage and recycling collection service for island residences on Anvil, Gambier, Keats, and surrounding islands, Thormanby, Trail, Hardy and Nelson Islands.
Seven separate events are planned through the summer months, starting with Gambier Island Flag stops on July 8 and 9 and ending with Nelson and Hardy islands on Saturday, August 19.
This year’s special items for collection include tires, batteries, household paint and propane tanks. Registration is required for special items at all events and to reserve a flag stop. Register, review schedule of events and find more information on the items accepted at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/islands-cleanup.
Enquiries:
Andrea Patrao, Solid Waste Programs Coordinator, Solid Waste Services
Sunshine Coast Regional District
Tel.: 604-885-6800
Email: andrea.patrao@scrd.ca
Stage 1 Water Conservation Regulations in Effect May 1
April 24, 2023
Each year, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) brings in Stage 1 water conservation regulations on May 1. After successive years of extreme drought, water regulations are more important than ever to secure water supply into late summer and fall.
The regulations outlined below apply to all SCRD water customers on the Sunshine Coast. Paper copies of these regulations have been mailed to homes and appeared in the Coast Reporter in mid-April as part of the SCRD’s “Get Ready for Summer” campaign.
Regulations define the types of watering and three separate plant categories: lawns; trees, shrubs, and flowers; and food producing plants. Watering schedules can vary in different water systems across the region. Below are watering schedules for Stage 1.
Stage 1 Watering Schedule
Watering Lawns
Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray can be used to water lawns according to the Stage 1 schedule which is:
- For even numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- For odd numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Watering trees, flowers, shrubs and food producing plants
Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray can be used to water trees, flowers and shrubs, and food producing trees and plants according to the Stage 1 schedule:
- For even numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- For odd numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
During Stage 1 water conservation regulations, hand held hoses with nozzles, hand held containers, or drip-irrigation can be used anytime for watering lawns, trees, flowers, shrubs or food producing trees and plants.
Rain sensors are required on all irrigation systems to prevent watering in the rain.
Other uses of water
Pressure washing sidewalks, driveways, windows, fences and exterior building surfaces is permitted only during Stage 1.
“Last year the Sunshine Coast experienced a 106-day drought which, as residents are well aware brought severe water conservation regulations,” says Mark Brown, Acting General Manager of Infrastructure Services. “Now is the time to get ready for summer, look at ways you can conserve water both inside and outside of home and, of course, please follow all water conservation regulations. Regulations are in place to secure supply for our whole community.”
For questions about water conservation or about the regulations, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.
Staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at https://www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form
Oceans Plastics Depot Opening at Sechelt Landfill
April 24, 2023
As part of a pilot program, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is opening an ocean plastics depot at the Sechelt Landfill on Friday, April 28. This new program is being implemented in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization.
Through the ocean plastics depot pilot program, the SCRD will collect foam filled tires, marine rope and netting, plastic barrels, hard plastics (floats), and dock/beach foam from shoreline clean ups.
“Currently on the Sunshine Coast, there is no option for recycling ocean plastics and dock foam,” says Marc Sole, SCRD Manager of Solid Waste Services. “SCRD staff have been pursuing options to recycle ocean plastics and marine debris materials in order to help decrease the amount of plastic washing up on beaches, reduce our carbon footprint, and importantly maximize space at the landfill.”
The landfill is currently estimated to be at capacity by 2025.
Ocean plastics take up a lot of space at the landfill, particularly foam originating from docks and beach cleanups. This program will allow for these materials to be recycled instead of taking up valuable landfill space.
For example, in 2022, the SCRD accepted just under 16 tons of beach and dock foam at the landfill, which used approximately 6000 square meters of space (around three tennis courts) which is the equivalent of eight days of landfill life.
Materials collected at the landfill depot will be transported to Ocean Legacy’s marine plastic processing facility in Richmond. At the facility, the plastics are washed, dried, shredded, heated, cut, and turned into plastic pellets. These pellets are recycled into various items including non-structural lumber, benches, and boat parts. The SCRD is joining a network of four operating depots in Powell River, Ucluelet, Port McNeill, and Cumberland.
The depot will be available to small scale shoreline clean ups by residents or community groups. Those interested in using the depot will have to register beforehand by emailing infrastructure@scrd.ca. Larger scale residential, commercial or industrial dock renovations and end of life materials will not be accepted at the depot and should contact Ocean Legacy directly. The depot will be open during regular landfill operating hours.
Learn more about what is collected by visiting www.scrd.ca/ocean-depot.
Enquiries:
Aidan Buckley. Manager
Communications and Engagement
604-885-6800, extension 6123
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca
Water Meters Contract Awarded
April 20, 2023
At its meeting on April 20, 2023 the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board gave approval to award a contract to Neptune Technology Group Canada Co. for phase three of the water meter installation project.
The total budget for the project is $9,391,750. This includes $6,000,000 funded from the recently awarded Canada Community Building Fund-Strategic Priorities Fund grant, and $3,391,750 from long-term debt.
Phase three is the final phase of meter installations and involves installing water meters in the West Sechelt, West Porpoise Bay, The Shores, Downtown Sechelt, East Porpoise Bay, Sandy Hook, Tuwanek, Selma Park, Davis Bay, and Wilson Creek water service areas.
The SCRD installed water meters in North and South Pender Harbour Water Service Areas between August 2014 and February 2015, as part of phase one. Meter installations were completed as part of phase two in Halfmoon Bay, Egmont, Earls Cove, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, and West Howe Sound (excluding Hopkins Landing) between September 2016 and October 2017 with a few remaining properties receiving installations in 2018. Neptune Technology Group completed phases one and two of the meter installations.
Water metering will help the SCRD and water users improve their leak detection abilities and better understand water consumption. Many cities and regional districts across Canada have already made the move towards metering as it is widely recognized as an industry best practice. It is common for communities to realize a reduction in water consumption by 20% to 30%.
“After two years of severe drought, it is more critical than ever that we utilize our water resources as wisely as possible,” says Leonard Lee, SCRD Board Chair. “The installation of water meters will help our community better understand their own consumption and will allow the SCRD to make efficiencies to further secure water supply for the region.”
Preparatory work is already underway and water meter installations are expected to begin in fall 2023 and anticipated to be completed by late 2025. The SCRD will communicate directly with each of its water customers affected by this project in order to provide further details regarding project timing and water conservation techniques and ideas. In addition, the SCRD website and engagement platform, Let’s Talk SCRD will be updated with project specific information for the duration of the project.
Zoom links for April 20 Meetings
April 20, 2023
Agendas for April 20 meetings can be found here and zoom links below:
Electoral Area Services Committee
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84164959302?pwd=RWpaS21CL1ZFd0lXNlNFRXh4VzJtUT09
Webinar ID: 841 6495 9302
Passcode: 840760
Special Board Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87133178246?pwd=UHhIVHZNWXc1Q2hRdmUza0V2enJFUT09
Webinar ID 871 3317 8246
Passcode 816013
Regional Hospital District Regular Board
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87069961576?pwd=c20xSlFHRVQ2djlNWmFHemZkV09hUT09
Webinar ID: 870 6996 1576
Passcode: 121173
Finance Committee Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85878991925?pwd=Yk1pS2E2UUdkV0xJTENvbFR0ZnFMQT09
Webinar ID: 858 7899 1925
Passcode: 909473
Contact Us
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Phone: 604-885-6800 Ext. 6123
Cellular: 604-885-8052
Email: aidan.buckley@scrd.ca