One Oak Bay representative will be chosen for the new Eastside wastewater advisory group.
The Eastside wastewater treatment and resource recovery select committee approved the terms of reference that will put in place an advisory group of one Oak Bay voice, five members from Saanich and four from Victoria as they work to develop a wastewater and resource recovery plan.
The advisory committee will advise the Eastside select committee on the public consultation required for the development of the wastewater and resource recovery plan and serve as a sounding board on the consultation process.
They plan to have a mix of individuals who consider themselves both knowledgeable and new to the wastewater treatment project in the core area, as well as those who have participated in other citizen engagement initiatives in the past. The time commitment includes monthly to bi-monthly meetings, as well as potentially attending public meetings, workshops, field trips or other project-related meetings. Members will be appointed for a one-year term, renewable to a maximum three years.
The Eastside select committee will review and assess all applications and make recommendations to the CRD board through the core area liquid waste management committee.
During its Feb. 18 meeting, the Eastside group also met Amanda Gibbs of Vancouver with a background in public consultation and facilitation who will work with the group.
“These challenges are really what we call wicked problems and without the support and deep support of communities, our constituents … it’s very difficult to have those solutions take root in meaningful ways,” she said.
Her general approach is to provide the public with clear terms, she added.
“Giving people who are involved in public conversations a real sense of where they do have say and where they don’t have say is absolutely critical in terms of building trust,” Gibbs said. “If we go to the public without a clear sense of what we’re seeking and where we need their input I think that can be very challenging.”
Those interested in the advisory position should email eastside@crd.bc.ca before March 3. The next meeting is slated for March 4.