Voters at Tsawwassen First Nation have overwhelmingly supported plans that will open up their lands for industrial and commercial uses.
But they gave a thumbs-down to a third measure on the April 15 ballot for a retirement facility development on six acres of TFN lands.
All three questions on the ballot were about the lease of TFN lands for economic development purposes.
Almost 85 per cent of voters approved TFN to lease two large parcels of the 135 hectares (333 acres) industrial lands for 60 years.
One of the parcels is an industrial park that could include container storage and other facilities linked to the nearby DeltaPort and Roberts Bank.
A second lease would be for ‘alternative industrial uses’ that could include a waste-to-energy plant.
An even larger majority (90 per cent) of voters gave the go-ahead for TFN to enter into a 49-year lease of 100 acres of land for what was described as “a major commercial/retail shopping facility”.
But a proposal for a 99-year lease on six acres of land for a retirement complex was voted down by a margin of 54 per cent ‘No’ to 45 per cent ‘Yes’.
TFN and the Tsawwassen Economic Development Corp. will now move forward on development of the industrial and commercial parcels that were approved by voters. This will include seeking partners and negotiating agreements.
Open house gives land, environmental update to members
An open house on May 11 was held by the Tsawwassen Economic Development Corp. (TEDC) to update the community on the on-going work on its industrial lands.
Also on the agenda was an opportunity for members to comment on the environmental assessment on those lands that is currently being prepared.
The community has been receiving regular updates in the TFN newsletter about Phase 1 of the industrial lands development by the joint venture between TFN Construction and Matcon civil engineering. The updates include information about construction, traffic controls and other activities as preliminary infrastructure works take place on the lands.
The joint venture has also been advertising for resumes for the Phase 1 work including a fill site foreman, a site safety officer, construction labourers and traffic controllers.
MOU signed with terminal operators
TFN and TEDC have signed a memorandum of understanding with TSI Terminal Systems Inc.
The MOU sets out a framework for future collaboration on joint economic development projects. Those opportunities include contracting, procurement and business creation.
Also included in the MOU are goals to ensure jobs, training and management capacity for TFN members.
Part of the agreement read: “TFN and TSI are committed to work together with transparency, honesty and integrity to: Cooperate to create a mutual understanding of sustainable resource development in the Roberts Bank area, to include principles of environmental, economic and social responsibility and stewardship.”
Skills survey for Tsawwassen
A survey of employment and skills is underway at Tsawwassen First Nation.
TFN members have been hired as survey assistants for May and June to ask the questions concerning employment and socio-demographics.
They will be organizing family meetings and focus groups and ensuring that the survey forms are properly completed.