A second quarter update on qathet Regional District’s strategic plan progress report generated several questions pertaining to activities on Texada Island.
At the September 6 committee of the whole meeting, Electoral Area D (Texada) director and committee chair Sandy McCormick first asked about the economic development function, which comes under the umbrella of chief administrative officer Al Radke. She asked about the status of economic development in the qathet region.
Radke said a consultant was brought in to do a facilitation and there were some actionable items generated pertaining to economic development. Radke said leading up to the October 2022 elections, some of the actions that were underway were purposely stalled so none of them could become political platforms.
“We have since had a change in leadership, we have a new regional board, and a new City [of Powell River] council,” said Radke. “The [regional board] chair [Clay Brander] and I have had a discussion about when he next meets with the mayor to find out what the appetite is to continue on that path.”
McCormick’s second question was regarding Texada Island Airport. She asked about the airport hangar leases.
Manager of asset management and strategic initiatives Arnold Schwabe said the matter will be coming to the regional board for further consideration.
McCormick then asked about the status of organics diversion on Texada. Schwabe said there is a larger discussion on organics underway in the region that will soon take place. He said until some of those issues can be resolved, the Texada diversion has taken a back seat.
McCormick also had a question about an electric vehicle charging station on Texada.
“Right now, we have no means of welcoming people with electric vehicles to visit the island because we have nowhere for them to charge their cars,” said McCormick. “That kind of sends the wrong message. Can you tell me where that is at?”
Schwabe said he has made some calls and BC Hydro has a push to install charging stations, with plans for about 3,000. Schwabe said he had a conversation with BC Hydro about two weeks ago.
“They seem to have no appetite for having charging stations on the gulf islands,” said Schwabe. “They have some issues, as well, with the electrical infrastructure, so if we are going to put one in, I’ve had a few conversations as far as services for type two chargers. I’m still waiting to hear back. At that point, we’d have to locate the best possible building we could put it on.
“Generally, unless we have a suitable power supply, it’s going to be difficult to get a powerful or fast enough charger to make it worthwhile.”
McCormick said there are regional district-owned facilities on Texada with power lines going right in front of them.
Schwabe said that is correct but part of it would be whether BC Hydro could hang a high enough amp service to bring it to the location, and that would require their calculations.
McCormick said she had looked through the strategic plan report and could not find a motion that was approved in April where the board directed staff to report back regarding a potential active transportation corridor on Texada Island.
Radke said staff would investigate the matter.
The committee voted to recommend to the regional board that the board receive the second quarter strategic plan progress report.
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