welcome to national student & thought leadership awards ipac/cappa

WELCOME TO

National Student & Thought Leadership Awards

IPAC/CAPPA

EXPLORING OUR SHORELINE AND SEA-LEVEL-RISE

EXPLORING OUR SHORELINE AND SEA-LEVEL-RISE

Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation

Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria

2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS

SEA LEVEL RISE IN BC|

Study Location Mean (cm) Low (cm) High (cm)

Nanaimo, BC 80 31.5 inches

4818.9 inches

11344.5 inches



TABLE 1 SEA LEVEL FORECASTS (Thomson, et al., 2008)

Global sea levels are projected to rise 1 metreby 2100. Projections recommended for all shoreline planning in BC. (Province of BC, 2013)



PROJECT CONTEXT|EAST VANCOUVER ISLAND

• Consultation with 140 property owners and residents along seven kilometres of public and private shoreline.

• Documents the social, environmental, and economic consequences of climate change and sea-level rise in the Town.

• Pre-cursor to the Waterfront Master Plan.

(Qualicum Beach Information Services, 2012)

AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO IMPACTS



(Ausenco Sandwell, 2011; Thomson, et al., 2008; Qualicum Beach Information Services, 2013 )

PROBLEM & OBJECTIVE



Piecemeal Town initiatives used to protect waterfront homes,businesses, and public infrastructure proven ineffective.

Research Questions• What are the concerns of waterfront stakeholders? • What is their perception or understanding of sea level

rise and climate change?

CURRENT SITUATION | BEACH WALKS 2003-2013



(Stubbs, 2003-2013)

RESEARCH PROCESS

• Literature Scan- Academic/Grey Papers• Annual shoreline survey by building inspector• Review best available science on sea levels (Thomson, et al., 2008)• Public engagement theories• Shoreline regulations • Town documents



• Qualitative Tools• Open House• Online Surveys• Comment Cards• Staff Discussions• Focus Group Transcripts

RESEARCH PROCESS|“TRIANGULATING METHODS”



(Creswell, 2013; Creswell, 2003; Day, n.d.; Denzin, 1978)

WHAT DID THE COMMUNITY SAY?

Help us with shoreline permitting (federal, provincial and local)!

There are commonlocations of concerns.

Fix our public walkway!

15 major themes were summarized across all three methods.



Emergency repairs process.

WHAT DID THE COMMUNITY SAY?

Why are we investing public $ for private property protection?

We like participating, but how will you use this information?

Seawalls impact neighbours.

Major themes summarized across all three methods:

Plan funding? We are 8,000 residents.



I think it’s more about extreme weather not sea level rise.

• Enhance communication and outreach during the Waterfront Master Plan.

• Create a waterfront economic development strategy.

• Phased capital improvement plan for walkway replacement.

RECOMMENDATIONS



• Monitor damaged waterfront locations.

• Create a Waterfront Plan Advisory Committee.

• Shoreline approval factsheets, providing regional contacts.

• Hold annual Town Hall waterfront property owner meetings.

RECOMMENDATIONS



LESSONS FOR COMMUNITIES



• Provincial grants are essential for sea level adaptation planning when local government resources are limited.

• Constituents are the best source for longitudinal waterfront observations paired with meto-ocean engineering.

• Try different consultation methods, folks are busy.

• Remember to build positive relationships.

• Document everything!

Town of Qualicum Beach Staff, Residents, and CouncilLuke Sales MCIP, Director of PlanningHeather Svenson, Corporate AdministratorTrudy Coates, Corporate Administration Director, LantzvilleDick Stubbs, Contract Building InspectorBob Weir, Director of Engineering

Final Report

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |

University of VictoriaDr. Lynda Gagne CGA, Assistant ProfessorAllison Habkirk MCIP, Adjunct ProfessorMinistry of Environment BC





QUALICUM’S HISTORIC SHORELINE | THANK YOU

Source: Kodachrome Photographs Published by The Coast Publishing Company Vancouver, B. C.

THANK-YOU

National Student & Thought Leadership Awards

IPAC/CAPPA