North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan was last updated in 2011 and is in need of a refresh.
The project was identified as a top priority for council in its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan that’s kicking off this summer.
For those in the dark, an Official Community Plan establishes the vision for how the community will grow in the future and provides guidance on how that will happen. It sets out goals in a way that is healthy and sustainable and provides a high quality of life for current and future residents.
“The backbone of a successful OCP is community support,” noted Mayor Al Siebring. “An OCP guides all of us towards a goal, towards a desired future. There will be many opportunities for citizens to tell us what they envision for the future, and we invite all North Cowichan residents to get involved in this process. It’s only with your input that we can together create a shared, meaningful plan.”
People can get involved by becoming a member of the OCP Advisory Group or Community Ambassador Team.
For the OCP Advisory Group, residents with experience and knowledge in key business and community sectors are being sought to provide advice to staff through all phases of the OCP Project process.
For the Community Ambassador Team, residents are being sought who represent the various geographies and neighbourhoods across North Cowichan - such as Quamichan, Berkey’s Corner, Maple Bay, Crofton, etc. - to inform the OCP Project by liaising with their neighbourhoods and providing community-specific information through the process.
Until Aug. 14, there’s also an opportunity to help design the OCP Project logo and tagline in a friendly community competition. North Cowichan artists and residents can submit suggestions for a logo and tagline that will be used on all OCP materials for the duration of the project.
Following the submission period, all entries will be posted on PlaceSpeak, North Cowichan’s online engagement platform, for residents to vote on the preferred option. A $250 prize will be awarded for the chosen logo and another $250 prize for the chosen tagline.