Tag Archives: Regional District of Nanaimo

Regional District of Nanaimo taxes to increase by 32%

It’s not every day that our local daily newspaper asks people to revolt – yes stand up and scream! Why?! Regional District of Nanaimo taxes are to increase 32% over the next five years.

The RDN directors will vote on the 2014 -2018 Financial Plan at the next  board meeting  February 25, 2014. The RDN is anticipating to collect $52.8 million a year by 2018; last year they collected $40.1 million.

What does the RDN do? RDN is responsible for administration, local governance, and local services such as transit, solid waste, recreation facilities, water and parks.

What’s the money for? Major infrastructure projects are for:

  • $18 million sewage outfall pipe in Nanaimo
  • $1.5 million for firehall upgrades
  • $15.5 million for transit expansion
  • $12 million to convert old landfill to a park

Where can the RDN save money? Cut the number of transit mangers. They don’t need a manager for every zone. Get more buses and more drivers. There is no bus from Ladysmith to Nanaimo. Also, does the City of Nanaimo need to have 7 representatives on the Board? There seems to be an over-representation from the City.

Who are the directors at the RDN? The RDN is governed by an elected Board of 17 Directors. They are the following:

Alec McPherson: Electoral Area A Cedar
Howard Houle: Electorial Area B Gabriola
Maureen Young: Electorial Area C Extention

George Holme: Electoral Area E Nanoose Bay
Julian Fell: Electorial Area F Errington
Joe Stanhope: Electoral Area G French Creek
Bill Veenhof: Electorial Area H Deep Bay

Dave Willie:  Mayor of Qualicum
Marc Lefebvre:  Mayor of Parksville
Jack de Jong:  Mayor of Lanztville

Cityof Nanaimo
John Ruttan – Mayor of Nanaimo
George Anderson
Bill Bestwick
Diane Brennan
Ted Greves
Diana Johnstone
Jim Kipp

Does Nanaimo pay taxes to the RDN? 9% of the taxes collected from Nanaimo residents go to the RDN.

Taxpayers of the RDN saw an increase of taxes this year of 5.2 %. Living on Vancouver Island there are many issues causing people to revolt; expensive and unreliable ferry service, closing schools in CedarParksville, and Qualicum, water worries, burning  Vancouver’s garbage.

This RDN tax increase comes at a very difficult time when residents of Lanztville are facing an approximate 11% increase in taxes and Gabriola is undergoing a mass exodus, as people are leaving because of deteriorating ferry service. Many of these RDN Directors seem to think that people have endless bags of money. The reality is those with the resources will just pack up and move. Is the RDN is banking on a new wave of people  arriving with deep pockets?

If you would like to give your feedback on the tax increases, send an email to corpsrv@rdn.bc.ca . Also, please request that the RDN meetings be recorded on video as they are at the City of Nanaimo and other communities.  Let’s hope the RDN will work towards being more transparent.

Possible Pocket Park across from RDN headquarters

Is there a possibility that a pocket park could be made across from RDN headquarters?

There is lots of activity happening at the corner of Uplands Drive and Hammond Bay Road.  The new Hammond Bay Road Library is well on the way to being built, the area is outlined in blue.  Just out the back at 6025 Uplands Drive the lot has been cleared for the new “wet” housing project to be called Uplands Walk, outlined in red.

What will happen to the last block of trees at the corner of Hammond Bay Road and Calinda? This lot is just across the street from the Regional District of Nanaimo head office.  Wouldn’t it be an idea to save this last lot as a pocket park?

There are some major heat islands in this area and some planning needs to be done to mitigate this effect.

Uplands and Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo
Uplands and Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo – last block of trees- future pocket park or parking lot?

Free Septic Smart Workshops

The Regional District of Nanaimo is offering free Septic Smart workshops to residents on how to properly care for their residential septic systems.

Learn how to maintain your septic system so that it will last longer and function properly and have the least impact on your house and property.

Gabriola Commons  Monday October 29, 6:30 – 8:00pm  675 North Road, Gabriola Island.

Bradley Centre  Tuesday October 30, 6:30 – 8:00pm  975 Shearme Road, Coombs.

Cranberry Hall  Wednesday November 7, 6:30 – 8:00pm  1555 Morden Road, South Wellington.

Register for the workshops by calling 250-248-3252 or 1-888-828-2069 for more information visit the Regional District of Nanaimo