Planning Document
Planning is a key management tool, particularly when it comes to providing essential community services such as waste collection and disposal, land use decisions, and emergency preparedness. Click the links on the left to learn more about the RDN's corporate planning documents.In October 1997, the RDN Board of Directors approved a new Emergency Plan for the Region's eight electoral areas. The primary purpose of the Emergency Plan is to coordinate disaster response when emergencies cannot be handled by local response agencies.
The RDN Emergency Plan is intended to maintain the continuity of government and preserve life and property. This will be achieved through a coordinated response by elected officials, Regional District departments, volunteer services, and all other federal, provincial, and private agencies that can assist during a major emergency or disaster.
The RDN Emergency Plan sets out guidelines for coordinating an effective, multi-agency response to major disasters. These guidelines include establishing an Emergency Operations Centre, setting out procedures for activating the Centre, identifying the role of key personnel, and coordinating the handling of public and emergency services communications.
A copy of the Emergency Plan is available by contacting RDN Corporate Services.
Liquid waste is the technical term for what's flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain. And in its various forms - from sewage to stormwater - liquid waste is a major environmental responsibility.
That's why the Regional District's Liquid Waste Management Plan is an important tool for protecting quality of life in the region. It sets out the Region's commitment to safeguarding its water quality and related natural resources. The Plan provides a comprehensive, long-range, region-wide approach to managing liquid waste, including reduction, reuse, and safe disposal of treated effluent.
The Liquid Waste Management Plan has been guided by the Growth Management Plan and supports its goals of environmental protection, improving efficiency of services, and containing urban sprawl. The Liquid Waste Management Plan identifies several major infrastructure projects that will be undertaken over the next 20 years. Residents in the benefiting areas will pay for these projects. Expansion and upgrading of the Greater Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay sewage treatment plants are two such future projects.
Liquid Waste Management Plan Policies and Programs
Everyone in the RDN benefits from the Regional District's Liquid Waste Management Plan. By establishing long range planning objectives and designing specific liquid waste management programs, the Plan will ensure that our region's high quality of life is maintained. Specific initiatives include:
- Rural Areas - The Liquid Waste Management Plan anticipates the sewer servicing needs of future Village Centres, identifies areas with potential problems due to failing septic systems, and provides approaches to solving these problems.
- Source Controls - The Plan also proposes measures and regulations to prevent toxic materials from entering septic systems, sewers and storm drains. A public education program is included in the Plan's source control measures.
- Volume Reduction - Water conservation programs are ongoing to reduce the amount of water we use, thereby reducing our requirements for future treatment and ensuring a sustainable water supply for our future.
- Stormwater Management - Regional stormwater run-off management programs will be coordinated in coming years to address specific stormwater concerns.
- Odour Control - Objectionable odour around regional sewage treatment plants are a significant concern. Odour control is a formal program within the Liquid Waste Management Plan.
A copy of the Liquid Waste Management Plan is available by [ Clicking Here ]
Solid Waste Management Plan - Background
Solid waste is the technical term for the garbage generated by households, businesses, and institutions. The Solid Waste Management Plan is a comprehensive long range strategy to maximize the diversion of solid waste through reduction, reuse and recycling (3Rs) and to safely dispose of the residual.
The 3Rs Plan (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse)
The RDN began its 3Rs programs in 1991, when it also introduced a user pay approach that made those producing the garbage responsible for paying for the cost of waste disposal.
In 1996, the province approved the 3Rs part of the RDN's Solid Waste Management Plan, which has a target of 70 per cent waste diversion and is one of the most aggressive of its kind in BC. By 1998 the Region was diverting 40 per cent of its waste from the landfill through reduction, reuse, and recycling programs. The RDN expects the Region and its residents will achieve the provincial target of 50% waste diversion ahead of schedule.
As part of its 3Rs plan, the RDN has banned all recyclable paper, metal and tires from the Region's landfill and transfer station. Banning these materials is expected to divert 20,000 tonnes of recyclable material from the RDN landfill, extending its life and turning waste into resources.
Regional Composting may be the next major initiative of the 3Rs Plan. Proposals to build a regional composting facility that would produce a marketable compost product are now being reviewed, as a potential municipal Solid Waste Management strategy.
Residuals Waste Management Plan
The Residuals Waste Management Plan will determine what to do with the remaining 30 per cent of the Region's waste that can't be diverted by the 3Rs initiative. The RDN is exploring municipal solid waste composting as a means for further reducing residual waste.
A disposal solution is still required for the leftover material that can't be dealt with in some other way. With limited space remaining at the existing Regional Landfill, siting another landfill or exporting waste to another region are the only options. A landfill siting excersise and a waste export pilot project are underway.
After extensive evaluation of 9 potential landfill locations in the Region, the RDN Board has decided to proceed with the detailed investigation of two sites, known as the Weigles Road and Barsby Lake sites. In addition the Region is shipping 25 per cent of its waste to the Wastech Landfill in Cache Creek. Thereby extending the life of the existing Cedar Road Landfill.
Public Review and Involvement
A Solid Waste Advisory Committee composed of representatives from local governments, provincial agencies and the public has helped guide the development of the Solid Waste Management Plan and advise the RDN Board. Local advisory committees have also been formed in the two areas where landfill sites are being studied. Once research is completed on the waste management options it will be subjected to public review and consultation before the RDN Board makes its final decision.
A copy of the Solid Waste Management Plan can be obtained by contacting RDN Environmental Services.
Contact the RDN's Planning Department for a copy of an OCP or for more information.
Phone: 250-390-6510 | Fax: 250-390-7511 | E-mail: [email protected]
The Regional District of Nanaimo Parks System Plan was adopted in November 1995 after receiving approval from the Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks. It is a comprehensive document and includes policies which guide the provision of the Regional District's system of community and regional parks.
The Plan's vision statement indicates that the RDN will establish, develop and operate a park system for the security, protection and stewardship of lands within the region which maintain livability, provide environmental and natural resource protection and accommodate outdoor recreational pursuits. One section identifies regionally significant areas in which the Regional District has an interest and 23 sites in which the property owners or government agencies have indicated a willingness for further discussion around their access or management.
An implementation section summarizes the various tasks necessary to advance the establishment of the parks system. These include partnership strategies, official community plan amendments, advocacy and funding measures, public information, and local parks planning. The Parks System Plan guides the parks services program which is advanced each year by the Regional District.
A copy of the Parks Plan is available by contacting RDN Community Services.
Recreation Services Master Plan
The Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors has approved a 10-year Recreation Services Master Plan for the Oceanside area, to guide the development, management, administration and operations of recreation services in District 69 until 2017. Highlights of the Plan include a proposed wellness centre and expansion of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre, increased regional trail linkages throughout Oceanside, and decentralized programming services to be implemented throughout the District. The RDN Board also intends to support the Cultural Coalition in preparing a feasibility study for a centralized arts facility, explore the potential for a major sports complex in the Oceanside area, including a track, and continue to focus on health and wellness programming.
The RDN Board approved the Recreation Services Master Plan development process in 2005, and the District 69 Recreation Commission directed the planning process through PERC (Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants). Their work involved a review and analysis of current and future demographics; a review of the existing inventory of parks, facilities and programs; and a trends analysis related to the delivery of recreation services. An in-depth public consultation process gave residents the opportunity to discuss what they would like to have in terms of recreation services in this area, and input from all of the contributing individuals and groups was taken into consideration as the Plan and recommendations were developed.
Further details regarding the Master Plan process and an electronic copy of the Master Plan can be obtained by Clicking Here
Copies of the Recreation Services Master Plan are also available from the RDN Recreation and Parks Department.