Township Opposes Location of Biosolids Facility #yyj @esquimaltBC

The Township of Esquimalt is opposed to the proposal by the Capital Regional District (CRD) to locate a biosolids treatment centre in the Township on Viewfield Road.

“Locating two sewage treatment facilities within the Township is an inequitable burden to the community and shows a lack of long-term vision,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “In addition, we don’t believe that adequate research has been done on resource recovery for either this new proposed site, or the proposed sewage treatment plant at McLoughlin Point.”

Additional concerns voiced by the Mayor include:

• No public consultation or technical review on the proposed Viewfield site.
• An assumption by the CRD that the McLoughlin site will be rezoned for sewage treatment before public consultation on rezoning has begun.
• An in-camera process that leaves both the public and the municipality in the dark on a significant regional issue. 

According to Director of Development Services Bill Brown, community planning standards have also been ignored in the CRD’s process. “This is counter to well-established community planning and development principles,” said Brown. “Particularly when you consider that the Viewfield site is located next to an established food distribution centre, and in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods and schools.” Brown also pointed out that committing the Viewfield location to a biosolids treatment centre could jeopardize future commercial opportunities, including a world-class ship-building and repair centre.



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