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| Dan Brooks, former BC Conservative candidate for Nechako Lakes |
Today's Conservative
Thoughts piece comes from former Nechako
Lakes
A comprehensive and
innovative Community Land Use Planning Initiative
for northern communities needs to be a key priority for the government of BC. Land-use planning is a critical component of
resource development. Yet, over the last decade, the BC Liberals have sorely
failed to devise or implement serious land-use plans.
It is essential to engage
communities in land use planning -- communities must have a greater say in how
projects and resources are developed.
Any new initiative needs to
have:
1. Clear Expectations - When new projects are
proposed or under consideration, it is important that community expectations
are clearly delineated in relation to how they benefit or impact stakeholders.
Communicating clear
expectations is essential if stakeholder and community concerns are to be
met. Land use planning is the best
vehicle to convey those interests, and afterwards it will be up to businesses
to determine if a project is viable given the community expectations.
2. Predictable Outcomes - Greater certainty is
essential in attracting business investment for resource development. Project
approval should be a predictable outcome if businesses meet the expectations
set out for them through land use planning. Likewise, failure to meet those
expectations should result in project rejection.
It is unfair to companies
who invest millions in resource development to have a project rejected due to
unpredictable vague platitudes about land use.
