Nanaimo's Cable Bay Trail Faces Industrial Threat

0:00It's April 7, from your city to your ears. This is Canada News Today, powered by AI. Harmack Pacific, the folks running the Polt Mill near Nanaimo, just filed to rezone land around the popular cable bay trail into a private industrial park. The plan includes a 100 meter average buffer along the trail to keep things separate, but it's sparking major pushback from locals worried. About the ecosystem and trail access, this trail snakes through old grow forests and Gary Oak Meadows down in Cedar, south of Nanaimo, in the regional district of Nanaimo. Even though it affects RDN residents most, the zoning call belongs to the city of Nanaimo, leaving folks there feeling sidelined on decisions hitting, their backyard. Residents like trail regular Jackie was Siluck, who's led the fight for nearly five years via the Save Cable Bay Facebook page with over 4,000 followers, say it could wipe out around 7,390 trees and alter views and vibes for Cedar, nearby islands, and beyond.

1:02They argue the buffers too spotty, averaging 100 meters means some spots dip to just 50. On the flip side, Nanaimo's hurting for industrial space, with vacancy rates at a tiny 0.74 percent, lower than Victoria, or Vancouver. The spots prime near the deep seaport, and one counselor backs expanding here for economic growth, while stress is balancing it with environmental care, and public health. Public hearings set for April 16th, so voices on both sides will clash soon. Could shape whether industry wins out or the trail stays wild. Keep an eye on how this unfolds for the community's future.