The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will begin a study later this year to gather feedback from Electoral Area F residents about interests, priorities, challenges and opportunities for governance and service delivery improvement.
The study will encompass the communities of Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood and surrounding areas, according to a media release by the regional district.
A local governance and services study committee will be appointed by the RDN this spring. It will be comprised of seven to 11 residents representing various backgrounds, interests and localities to ensure a wide variety of perspectives.
Area F residents interested in sitting on the committee may now apply, according to the RDN. As an objective, fact-finding body, the study committee will assist in the study process, advise on and participate in public engagement and help develop recommendations for the final report, anticipated to be presented to the RDN Board in the spring of 2023.
Electoral Area F Director Leanne Salter will be a non-voting member of the study committee. A consultant selected by the RDN will lead the study and work closely with the study committee to ensure a balanced and inclusive community engagement process.
The study will take about a year and will begin this spring. The community engagement phase, planned for November 2022 to February 2023, will include opportunities for Area F residents, First Nations and stakeholders to learn more about governance and services and provide feedback.
The provincial government has provided a grant of $60,000 towards the cost of the study. A request to undertake the study was submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs by the RDN Board in November 2020.
