In a 6 to 5 vote, the CRD's Integrated Resource Management Advisory Committee has approved a tour of integrated waste management facilities in Europe and North America this fall. The journey is to help decide what to do with treated sewage once it's pumped out to the Hartland Landfill by seeing firsthand what other jurisdictions are doing.
Several directors voted against the trip arguing the trip is premature, involved too many sites - some of which didn't even handle multiple materials, and would cost too much. Many advocated using videos, and technology like Skype to speak to facility operators - something they said could involve more people here at home, and be cheaper.
But supporters argued the need to be on the ground to assess things like the look and feel of the project, the smell, traffic, impacts on neighbours and nearby businesses, to get the best information to make decisions down the road.
The original motion was for a group of 10 staff and directors to take part in a fall tour of numerous facilities in 2 different tours this fall.
But an amended motion reduced the numbers to 2 staff and 3 Committee Chairs (Sooke's Maja Tait, Esquimalt's Barb Desjardins, Colwood's Carole Hamilton). Other amendments include reducing the numbers of sites to only those handling multiple materials, and meeting with labour and environmental groups, as well neighbourhood associations to gauge how things are going.
Those who voted in favour were committee Chair Maja Tait, and directors Alto, Isitt, Helps, Price and Desjardins. Those opposed were Directors Sanders, Williams, Hicks, Atwell and Ranns.