Regional Growth Strategy
We are developing our first Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) for the region. It's a long-range, high-level plan that will help us better understand and prepare for the potential changes we can expect over the next 20 years with a growing population, new service demands, the regional economy, and a changing climate.
Over the summer, the Peace River Regional District staff and the supporting consultant team travelled between communities throughout the region. We have created a 'What We Heard' Report to summarize all the engagement we have done up to this point - both in person and online. The report is now available to view! Click here or find it listed in our documents, as well as all past project materials.
We are now in Phase 3 of the project. A draft RGS is in development that incorporates what we heard from outreach and engagement in earlier project phases. Watch for more updates as we move into the fall and develop the draft for review by the project Steering Committee and PRRD Board.
PROJECT PARTNERS
As a farmer/rancher, it is important that agriculture access to water be a top priority and that our businesses do not suffer because of disputes with other interested parties who wish to use the water too. Food security should remain a top priority to all people regardless of backgrounds or interests. Agriculture does not usually need a lot of support unless disasters happen like flooding, drought and fire. But we have supports in place that have improved already. Support for locals in the rural areas who are organizing to help stop fires in the area is important, and if volunteers need to be trained, then that should also be a priority for the PRRD. Thank you for being proactive and supporting agriculture. Last comment-land that is in the ALR is very important to agriculture and by law agriculture is the priority. If businesses or individuals wish to move land out of the ALR that must be the biggest factor-is it useful for agriculture?
The PRRD needs a clear set of policy guidelines to determine when it will and when it will not support moving land out of the ALR. Currently, if it is in the ALR, then they will not support it coming out of the ALR. This doesn't allow for enough diversity in development going forward.