The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is in the last stages of seeking public feedback on an agreement surrounding Langdale's small-boat float terminal access, owned by B.C. Ferries.
Open houses were held consecutively on Keats and Gambier islands on July 31 to discuss the deal reached with B.C. Ferries.
West Howe Sound director Lee Turnbull attended the open houses and said although public turnout was sparse, access is a huge concern for islanders.
"They don't want to have to be worried that someone is going to be closing down their access. It's been a public right of way since before the privatization of B.C. Ferries," said Turnbull.
The agreement sees B.C. Ferries making improvements to the Langdale terminal's Stormaway dock, which include the construction of a float for public access, a buoy system for vessel traffic control, a gate between the float and dock, and granting the SCRD a non-exclusive licence for its use.
In return, the SCRD would pay a licence fee of $35,000 plus expenses, equalling an estimated total of $40,280 per year.
The amount translates to a projected impact of $12.19 per $100,000 of assessed value in 2012, falling to an estimated $7.79 in 2013. The participation includes Area F residents only.
B.C. Ferries retains control of the terminal including the new float and accepts all costs and liability. The agreement term is 20 years plus a 10-year option, in which after five years, either party may terminate the agreement. However, B.C. Ferries would be able to terminate the agreement if the SCRD, or parties related, are in breach.
As for agreement feedback at the open houses, Turnbull said islanders seem satisfied with the deal.
"We didn't have anybody at the Keats open house saying they were going to be filing any complaints. There's been the dock divestiture situation that we just got past, and they're very relieved about that. We're a water-access community; we ought to be celebrating the docks, not thinking about shutting them down," said Turnbull.
Darin Guenette, manager of public affairs of B.C. Ferries, said there has been a lot of co-ordination between multiple parties on the issue.
"There are a number of regulatory and administrative procedures that need to be worked through to see the project completed. In the end I think it will be a real smart, secure, nice environment for boaters to come and go," said Guenette.
The agreement process began in 2009 after B.C. Ferries announced its intention to close off public access to the only floating dock at the Langdale ferry terminal due to safety and liability concerns. Both the SCRD and a Langdale working group collaborated with B.C. Ferries on the current agreement.
Property owners not in favour of the proposed function have until Aug. 31 to complete an elector response form through the SCRD.
If everything is approved, according to Guenette, the project is estimated to be complete by December.
