Council agrees to more time to explore solution for Colliery Dam Park

Summary

At its regular meeting held Monday, February 2, Council passed a motion outlining next steps concerning the Middle and Lower Colliery Dams which directed staff not to proceed with a proposed solution involving the creation of an alternative drainage course for the Lower Colliery Dam. Instead, given the province's recent lowering of the risk associated with the dams, the City will commence consultation and engagement with primary stakeholders, including the Snuneymuxw First Nation, Colliery Dam Park Preservation Society and the general public, to revise the current Dam Safety Management Program including the emergency plan, signage and monitoring measures. Additional steps will also be taken to consult with and engage all stakeholders who wish to share a role in all future processes and planning concerning remedial measures regarding both dams.

Link to Strategic Plan: Taking responsibility to be an excellent municipality.

Key Points

  • Following Council's direction, staff will provide a report back to Council outlining changes to the City's Dam Safety Management Program.
  • Given the province's recent lowering of the identified risk associated with the Middle and Lower Colliery Dams, the schedule for remediation will now be amended. During the process of revising the schedule, the City will liaise with the Province's Dam Safety Section as required.

Quotes

"After listening to a range of perspectives brought forward by Councillors during Monday night's debate, after having heard from several members of the community expressing their concerns surrounding the proposed drainage course option for the Lower Dam and, in light of the recent decision made by the province to downgrade the risk classification assigned to the Dams, Council determined that allocating more time and more public engagement was the best path forward in order to secure an acceptable solution to this challenging community issue."

Mayor
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

Bill Mckay
Mayor
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4400
Philip Cooper
Communications Manager
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4532

Print News Release

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.
Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.