By Ian Holmes

Walkway emerges as Priority for Qualicum Waterfront

Jul 8, 2016 | 12:27 PM

A pilot study in Qualicum Beach could impact how Vancouver Island and other coastal waterfronts are developed.

A two-phase ‘Waterfront Master Plan’ is nearing completion, which includes scientific analysis and public consultations to help guide future waterfront uses.

The town’s director of planning Luke Sales says it turns out their seawall is actually forcing sand off the beach from waves that crash off it, which then tosses sand away into the ocean.

“The historical photos show maybe a metre of loss from our beach, so the stories from people back in the day of people seeing the sands on Qualicum Beach, well they still exist, but there’s a lot less than there was then, so we know that that type of approach is not working,” Sales said.

Sales says taking down their seawall and using a more natural, less harmful replacement is certainly possible.

closing arguments

Crown refutes self-defence claims for Nanaimo woman on trial for murder/dismembering ex-boyfriend

7h ago

rental rules

Thousands of short-term rentals go back to long-term May 1: B.C. government

10h ago

sweet sounds

Nanaimo woman tries to coax trapped killer calf out of tidal lagoon with her violin

15h ago

Sales says phase two of their waterfront master plan involved plenty of public consultation with the desire for a continuous 3 kilometre waterfront walkway emerging as the most popular request.

“We heard this over and over, and in different ways, some people wanted to see a waterfront walkway that was in front of the residences and businesses, so on the waterfront side, and some people wanted to a see a waterfront walkway on the highway side.”

Sales says scientific analysis shows that factors like rising sea levels and increased storms will have an impact, it’s just unclear exactly to what degree.

“The plan recognizes those uncertainties, and doesn’t try to answer all the questions right now, it just establishes a framework to answer those questions in the future.”

Sales says a final draft of their ‘Waterfront Master Plan’ will go before council this month.

The B.C. government covered most of the cost of the $150,000 study.