Newcastle Neighbourhood Association

Good Morning Newcastle Neighbours.   Another great turnout for the workshop last Tuesday. With the round table format many issues were brought to life about our neighbourhood. A great big thank you to all  the volunteer facilitators, (Linda, Al, Owen and Warren). When the dust settles and the planning deptartment from City Hall goes through the data I will give you all an update.

To participate fill out the online version of the Issues and Opportunities Worksheet, before November 30. This Worksheet is posted by the City of Nanaimo.

When you read  any of these posts please feel free to write a comment or two. Have a very good day.

Warren Jaques NNA President

Good Morning Newcastle Neighbours      First of all I am sorry for the late post. The open house put on by the city planning department was a sold out affair.  About 180 people attended. Credit must be given to all involved for their hard work. Charts were displayed about our neighbourhood, with city planners (Deborah Jensen, Chris Sholberg) there to answer questions. Comment sheets were filled out by 88 concerned neighbours. From data collected at the open house we move on to the next phase of our neighbourhood plan.  On Tuesday Nov. 10, 2009, 6:30- 9:30 pm we move on to our Newcastle + Brechin Workshop to be held at ECOLE  OCEANE 1951 Estevan Road. The event takes on a round table format with neighbourhood members guiding the discussion. Notices are in both local newspapers, with pre-registration by calling 250.755.4473.  To finish off my post I am asking neighbours in Newcastle to please come out and support our community. Many times we have no control over what happens in our neighbourhood. Let us try and make a difference! Signing off for now.

Warren Jaques, NNA President

The  NNA last met on September 13, 2009, with our core group of 13 long time members (who function like a Board) present.  Elections were held with the following results.  President – Warren Jaques; Vice-President – Ria de Vos; Secretary-Treasurer – Lee-Anne Stark; and Member-at-Large – Linda Hildebrandt.

The current financial statements were reviewed and accepted as presented.  We currently have ~23 members and Warren and Ria have started conducting a membership drive in the immediate neighbourhood with a good response.  Warren noted that two new crosswalk signs with fresh paint are now located at the corner of Terminal and Stewart.  This simple task took one year to complete.

The Board was updated on the discussions to date with the city regarding the new Newcastle Community Plan.  We are represented with 3 members, Brechin Hill has 3 members, and the Stewart Street Businesses have 3 members.  Progress has been painfully slow with some confusion around roles, processes, timelines, and public consultation.  More to follow on this topic.

Members of the Board are still keen on holding a 2010 Reunion/Block Party, perhaps sometime in May or June.  It was suggested that this might be excellent timing for such an event as the City’s Plan would be nearing completion at that time.  A number of members volunteered to help and this will be discussed again at the next meeting, which is scheduled for late November.

Lee-Anne Stark, NNA Scribe

I am pleased to report on a joint meeting of the NNA along with the South End Community Association, and two city planners. Both of these city areas have been selected by Council in order to create neighbourhood plans that will ultimately fit within the parameters and context of the recently approved (2008) Nanaimo OCP. It was most gratifying to look around the table and observe all the dedicated neighbourhood volunteers (a wonderful cross section of people) who are willing to take the time to work on this project for the ultimate benefit of everyone in their respective neighbourhoods. Following a short presentation by both planners, Chris Sholberg and Debora Jensen, the floor was opened to questions. There were several challenging questions around such issues as the scope of the review, and the distinct possibility that even with a final, well researched document, the final recommendations of the Committees can be overruled by other organizations (eg: Province of BC, City Council, Port Authority). The session’s function was to bring the two groups together to explain the overall concepts of the plan and some information sharing. The planners will spend the summer doing further research and “mining” of available city data in preparation for the September meeting. The tentative schedule indicates the process should take ~14 months. Minutes will be taken by city staff and should be available on request. Further updates as events occur. Enjoy the summer!
Lee-Anne Stark, NNA Scribe

On Saturday, November 20, 2008, a group of NNA volunteers planted six colourful red oak trees along the boulevard portion of the 200 Vancouver block. The City of Nanaimo kindly provided funding to purchase the trees which were delivered on Friday. The city also supplied soil/compost. The city was prepared to dig the holes with their equipment but Terasen Gas nixed that idea and said it had to be done by hand. (Thanks Warren.) On Saturday the old soil and new soil had to be mixed and the trees shuttled over one by one from a nearby residence where they were kept overnight. The planting began at 9 am and over a dozen local residents turned out.