Sunshine Coast residents will now find it even easier to access government services with the official opening of a brand new FrontCounter BC office in Powell River. The location opened earlier this month in the ministry of forests, lands and natural resource operations building, located at 7077 Duncan Street.
FrontCounter BC has been operating as a single-window service to clients of the natural resource sector since 2005, beginning in Kamloops and expanding this year to include 16 offices province-wide.
In a written statement, City of Powell River Mayor Stewart Alsgard welcomed the service to the community. “This is a milestone for Powell River,” he said. “Our residents no longer have to make a trip to Surrey to get professional help with their natural resource applications. Plus, it makes Powell River a hub for business. This FrontCounter BC office will make it easier for us to build our own future.”
Government officials looked at various communities and facilities in which to expand the service and found that the Sunshine Coast Forest District office in Powell River would suit their purpose as an intake office.
Services at this new consolidated one-stop application centre include: personalized assistance with natural resource enquiries and application packages, access to applications for more than 100 natural resource-related permits and authorizations, and information about services offered by Small Business BC. The office continues to collaborate with Service BC.
Clients can also obtain and authenticate a BCeID account for both personal and business use. Such an account allows the user to register one user ID and password to sign in securely to participating government online services. These applications are first completed by the client online before being brought into the FrontCounter BC office to confirm identity. Progress thereafter can be tracked online using a BCeID account.
As an intake office the Powell River facility can accept applications and collect related fees, review applications for completeness and forward them to the FrontCounter BC head office in Surrey for processing.
Powell River staff will provide assistance to clients with their application forms before submitting them at the same location. Previously, the process would require visits to several government offices in order to obtain, complete and process all of the necessary paperwork.
Benefits for clients include access to more government services such as forestry, mining, water, crown land, and clean energy projects. The availability of knowledgeable staff will provide added convenience, along with a reduced need to travel outside of Powell River for business matters. More online tools are also available, making it easier for clients to access information and submit applications.
Payments will be accepted for natural resource application fees, as well as for annual land and water rentals. Most payments can be made using MasterCard or Visa.
Minister of forests, lands and natural resource operations Steve Thomson also highlighted the impact the new office will have on the area. “Resource development is an important industry for the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “To create more jobs, we need to support new projects. This new FrontCounter BC office will help people begin their applications and make it easier for our government to choose the right projects for British Columbians.”
FrontCounter BC hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. The Powell River office can be reached at 604.485.0700. The head office in Surrey can be reached toll free at 1.877.855.3222.
