Formerly known as the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS), CRD regional planning staff attended and presented to Oak Bay Council the strategy that will see a 4-phase development process of a new Regional Sustainability Strategy (RSS) framework over approximately 24 months.
Nine policy options guide the RSS workplan that include:
- Sustainable Development
- Food Systems
- Ecological Health
- Resource Management
- Social Wellbeing
- Affordable Housing
- Transportation
- Economic Sustainability
- Climate Change
The CRD is winding up presentations to all thirteen municipalities, representing a key component of its engagement process. I have always supported the Strategy, believing it to be one of the most successful models for regional cooperation and collaborative planning. Originally implemented in 2003, thirteen municipalities voluntarily signed an agreement that has guided regional planning for such initiatives as transportation planning, housing, environmental protection and compact urban development that protected rural and agricultural lands.
Currently, the RSS development process is guided by:
- Matters of regional interest.
- Matters of local interest.
- Collaboration.
- Communication.
- Solutions that are mutually beneficial.
- Informal mediation prior to a referral process.
- Use of Local Government Act dispute resolution mechanisms only if necessary.
This will be a major piece of work for the CRD and for more information/details, please visit the CRD website at sustainability.crd.bc.ca