Skip to content

No need for a master plan

Following a brief presentation about the achievements of Bowen Island's Economic Development Committee (EDC) in the past year by committee chair Gordon Ganong, council debated the idea of creating an "economic development master plan.

Following a brief presentation about the achievements of Bowen Island's Economic Development Committee (EDC) in the past year by committee chair Gordon Ganong, council debated the idea of creating an "economic development master plan." The purpose of such a document, it was decided, would be to enshrine the principles of economic development into the community fabric, and hold future councils accountable to those principles. However, Ganong told council that this action was unnecessary as the committee's work aimed to learn about economic development and put the building blocks in, bit by bit, so that the foundation for growth would be firmly in place no matter what.

At a more extensive presentation by the EDC on Tuesday to members of the public, Ganong explained that success in the realm of economic development on Bowen requires both a sense of urgency and patience, and that uncertainty needs to be removed among business community, and be replaced by a sense of optimism.

Committee member Jacqueline Massey went on to describe their work as, "scheming to build a vibrant economic community that will reflect the unique nature of our home."

EDC member Murray Atherton pointed to concrete achievements made in the past year.

"First of all, improvements to Snug Cove. Members of our committee have walked the Cove individually and made note of doable improvements that can be made in the short term. One big part of that is the 'Welcome' sign at the ferry dock that was just sitting in someone's yard for months because they didn't have the money to finish it or the means to put it up."

Atherton said one of the first major issues for the EDC to deal with, after forming last year, was to work out issues regarding vacation rentals.

Following the meeting, Atherton explained that complaints about the behaviour of people staying in a high-end bed and breakfast on the west side of Bowen led to conflict over the existence of short-term rentals all over the island.

"There is a portion of the OCP that says you're not allowed to have vacation rentals outside of the Cove," says Atherton. "But there are a plethora of vacation rentals all over the island. When the complaint was brought to council, the idea of enforcing this regulation came up. The EDC acted as something of a liaison between council and the Bowen Accommodations Association."

The solution that seemed most reasonable involved the development of a contract to explain to people renting vacation accommodations that they are in residential neighbourhoods, and certain behaviours are not appropriate. The Bowen Island Accommodations Association implemented this and other measures in order to resolve the conflict.

"There are a lot of people who have the opportunity to make money through this sort of set-up, and some who derive a significant portion of their income from it. We would not want to see that disappear," says Atherton.

Another achievement that came up involved improvements to connectivity and wireless access on Bowen.

"The EDC has learned that inconsistent service throughout the island can be a major hindrance to people working from home, and home-based businesses," says Gordon Ganong. "And improvements to it are critical for the development of our tourist sector as well."

The EDC drafted a letter explaining the problems to be sent by Mayor Adelaar to the presidents of the major telecommunications companies.

"We saw movement on this issue from Telus, Shaw and Rogers," says Ganong.

In recent weeks Telus has put relay stations on every second hydro pole in the Cove to improve service, Shaw has guaranteed wireless service anywhere in the Cove, and Rogers has started working on plans to bring 4G LTE service to Bowen.

Ganong told the audience gathered to hear about the EDC's achievements this past year that branding Bowen is likely to be the committee's biggest job in 2014, but also that success in executing strategies for economic growth will only be successful with support from both the community and council.