Neighbours are saying no way when it comes to building a proposed sewage treatment plant at a popular Victoria sightseeing park.
It’s the latest roadblock in the South Island’s ongoing sewage saga, as local governments struggle to nail down a location for the long-awaited project.
The proposal, which would see an underground treatment plant built at Clover Point, was the subject of an open house Monday night held by the City of Victoria.
With many opponents in attendance, the plan was met with mixed reaction.
“It’s one of the most important tourist places in Victoria and there had to be other options,” said resident Christine Kyles. “We are going to have to have a plant, there’s no option about that. People don’t want a plant period but there has to be something, and there has to be a better place than Clover Point.”
“I walk to Clover Point almost daily,” said Wayne Shillington. “I understand why people are concerned, but I also understand that it is a very practical and realistic option.”
The lookout was tabbed as part of a two-plant sewage system for the Capital Region.
One plant would be built at Clover Point and the other at McLoughlin or Macaulay points in Esquimalt.
Clover Point currently sends half of the city’s screened sewage into the Pacific Ocean.
That makes it a more cost-effective option than the industrial Rock Bay area, where new piping would cost taxpayers an additional quarter-billion dollars.
“It’s a logical option if you take the passion out of it,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. “But people live in the communities, and so we heard very clearly and almost immediately, ‘We’re open to it in Fairfield, but maybe not directly across from our residences.’”
Neighbours argue their reaction to a Clover Point plant is not NIMBYism, because the park is a tourist attraction that serves the entire region.
“People come here from all over the world... Where are they going to go if all this is ripped up with construction?” asked Judith Rayburn.
Helps even admitted Tuesday that the park could be a tough sell.
“From a technical point of view, if an underground plant could go there, sure it makes sense,” she said. “But my job as mayor isn’t just to make technical decisions, it’s to make decisions based on the needs and desires of our residents.”
Time is ticking on desperately needed federal dollars for the $1-billion project.
A firm plan needs to be in place by Sept. 30 or the Capital Regional District risks flushing away up to $80-million in PPP Canada funding,
