Public feedback drives regional growth strategy in Peace River Regional District

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has announced the results of public feedback efforts on the first two phases of the district’s regional growth strategy. 

Announced online on November 13th, the report details the first project of its kind in northern B.C., and outlines the long-range, high-level plan that will support positive growth throughout the PRRD and its member communities over the next 20 years. 

According to the PRRD, the project will focus on several regional issues and considerations, including the regional economy, housing and development, servicing and infrastructure, parks and natural areas, environmental protections, agriculture and food security, and health, safety, and resilience. 

The PRRD stipulates that the plan will not regulate land use, which will continue to be regulated only by Official Community Plans, zoning bylaws, and building permit requirements where they exist in the region. 

Originally begun in August 2023, the plan is currently on track to be completed in May 2025. The project is currently in the third phase of the project timeline, where a draft of the strategy is being written and approved. 

This most recent round of public engagement has focused on sharing with the public what the plan currently entails, and listening to comments and concerns of regional residents. The steering committee has coordinated public outreach, consisting of in-person activities, online engagement, and traditional media outreach, including print advertisements. 

Public comments on the plan continue to be accepted through the PRRD’s Have Your Say platform, and engagement will continue to be conducted and accepted as the project continues.

To date, the PRRD has conducted four project open houses, two community pop-ups, two stakeholder sessions, four days of in-person events, two community surveys, one ideashare web survey, and three steering committee meetings. 

The PRRD has also reported almost 2,000 visits to the PRRD’s project website and more than 750 in-person and survey interactions.

Compiling the feedback received, the PRRD’s report indicates several common themes. These included rural character and voice, quality of life and affordability, the regional economy, the climate, and regional services and communications.

Specifically, residents expressed concerns about supporting and nurturing a resilient regional economy through local and small business, expanding transportation networks, extreme weather events and resource shortages, attracting young people to the region, and improving emergency services and healthcare. 

Due to the extensive feedback submitted by the public, the ‘emerging direction’ of the regional growth strategy has been tuned to further highlight the ‘distinctive character of the PRRD, emphasizing its innovative and resilient nature.’ 

Following two phases of public feedback, economic strength and resiliency, agriculture and food security, and living well continue to be the top concerns and priorities for residents of the Peace River region, and this will be reflected in the upcoming draft of the strategy.

To read the full What We Heard report, see below.