RDN and Trust looking at options to keep Green Wharf open
Derek Kilbourn
derek@soundernews.com
Monday, February 8 2010
Green’s Landing (better known as Green Wharf) has been given the go ahead for divestiture by Transport Canada Harbours and Ports Branch (TCHP).
It is now under scrutiny by both the Local Trust Committee (LTC) and the Transportation department of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN).
Both local governments have recognized the importance of seeking ways to continue the operation of the landing.
The TCHP has a policy dating back to December 1995 to divest themselves of regional and local ports.
If another federal department, provincial government, local government or community organization are not able to assume operations of the port (in this case Green Wharf) then the port is likely to be dismantled by the TCHP.
Dennis Trudeau, director of transportation at the RDN said, “I’ve been directed by the RDN board to prepare a report on the costs of anything that might be involved in taking over the operation and maintenance--everything.
“I’ve been down to the dock and it’s a pretty big facility compared to the emergency dock. It’s an asset for the island, but there is going to be significant costs associated with it as well. TCHP is wanting to give that up, it doesn’t fit their long term needs. The best way they can handle the liability is to demolish it.”
The emergency dock at Descanso Bay is taxed to the entire Area ‘B’. Whether the costs for maintaining Green Wharf would be a line item on Area ‘B’ taxes, or only on Mudge residents, is something that Dennis’ department has yet to decide.
He said, “That’s the thing that has to be looked at--those are all options--but usually the people who benefit from a function pay towards it. The philosophy of the board is user-pay.”
Whether the wharf could be taken over by a private group, such as the Green Wharf Preservation Society, Dennis said, “That would be a decision between the federal and provincial governments. I think they like these things being turned over to local government because they like the long term commitment. If someone else takes it over it’s likely going to end up demolished.”
At the Local Trust Committee (LTC) meeting, trustee Sheila Malcolmson asked if there had been any support or advice from BC Ferries or the BC Ambulance, as Green Wharf serves as the backup when the Descanso Bay terminals are not working.
Island planner Pat Maloney said, “It never came up, but certainly the policy of BC Ferries is they are not looking at new facilities, but if they use this, you would think they would write a letter to support it.”
Sheila motioned two of the staff recommendations on the issue, which stated, “that the Gabriola Island LTC continue to support boat docking facilities for the residents of Mudge Island and support the local residents in their efforts to maintain the facilities and that the LTC direct staff to include possible advocacy policies for the new Official Community Plan that address Green Wharf.”
Another issue brought forward at the LTC meeting was the fact that the access road to the wharf runs over private land. This has been recognized as one of the primary concerns should the RDN or anyone else take over its operation.
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