Newcastle Neighbourhood Association

We are pleased to advise that at the recent meeting of the Plan Nanaimo Advisory Committee, after considerable debate and many motions, the Plan has been recommended to City Council.  There were five main amendments raised by the Brechin Hill Community Association, along with a few residents from Newcastle, each of which were individually considered, deliberated, and defeated by vote.  However, it was agreed by PNAC members that they were sensitive to the height and density issue and requested Chair Holdom to express these concerns to City Council along with their recommendation.  He agreed to do so.  We are planning to post our submission to PNAC and City Council to this site for your review.*

Thank you for the confidence you neighbours showed to us at our AGM when you assigned the three of us the task of running with the Neighbourhood Plan as part of our activities as the Executive.  We have kept you up to date through the website, newsletters delivered by post and by us, and informal meetings with those of you who were at that meeting.  Well, the plan is now complete and we can honestly state we did the best job we could for the Newcastle Neighbourhood under what could best be described as some very difficult circumstances.

We look forward to the implementation of the first new cross-walks and bike lanes and all that good stuff.  We’ll keep you posted as news develops.

Warren Jaques, Linda Hildebrand, Lee-Anne Stark, NNA Executive

*Please see first comment below

I would just like to clarify for the record that when I speak to the media, I am recognized as the President of the NNA.  However, when I am quoted as saying “It’s a plan we support”, I am only speaking on behalf of the Newcastle Steering Committee, with respect to the draft plan.  It would be presumptuous of me to think I could speak for the entire neighbourhood; that is what the Open House was for, and what the comment sheets are intended for.  Each resident of this neighbourhood, whether you are a member of this association or not, has a voice in this process.  Does the plan have flaws, indeed it does.  Some matter more than others.  We did the best we could under very difficult circumstances.   Constructive criticism is always good, can you improve it?  Let the city know!

Warren Jaques

Many thanks to the many Newcastle residents who attended the recent Open House, read the boards, and hopefully availed themselves of the printed plans available.  We appreciate your feedback on our blog.  Although the Steering Committee Members supported the Plan, we don’t agree with all the details it includes.

For example, we tried to get the back lane concept removed on several occasions and were unsuccesful, as that issue had been raised by members of the public during the charrette process, and there hadn’t been a lot of public comment during previous open houses.  We encourage our neighbours to share their concerns directly with the city on their comment sheets if back lanes are of concern to them.

There is still plenty of time to provide your comments to the city, please do so.

Lee-Anne Stark

Final Draft Neighbourhood Plan
After more than a year and a half of charrettes, public review, open houses, and many steering committee meetings later, we have produced a final draft that is available for your review.  We encourage you to attend next week’s final Open House at:  ECOLE OCEANE SCHOOL, 1951 Estevan Road, 4:30 – 8:30 PM.  Newcastle’s representatives on the Steering Committee will be in attendance (Linda Hildebrand – Member at Large, Warren Jaques – President, and Lee-Anne Stark).  Hopefully, we can assist you with any questions you may have about the plan.  Although not perfect, as in life, this is a long term plan for the neighbourhood and our position is “We support the Plan”.  Please come and if you agree, or if you don’t, please complete the comment sheets and let us know.  This way, the process will continue as it should.  Many thanks.  Hope to see you there!

Lee-Anne Stark, NNA Secretary Treasurer

PS  Trees on the boulevard are taking turns changing colours and are looking fantastic!

View photos of the Tree Planting Event on Vancouver Avenue, Spring 2010