Gabriola Discussion Guide - Waste & Water

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GABRIOLA 
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY 
PLAN REVIEW
WASTE & WATER
ISLANDSTRUST.BC.CA/ISLAND-PLANNING/GABRIOLA/PROJECTS/GABRIOLA-OCPREVIEW
November 2024
Discussion Guides

What is a Discussion Guide? 
The Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee is updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) — which guides 
development to align with the community’s vision and values on a variety of topics. This guide is designed to 
provide community members with background needed to provide feedback on policy options related to waste 
and water. 
Share your thoughts through focus groups, direct communication with the Local Trust Committee and the 
Gabriola OCP Review Topic-Focused Engagement online survey (December 2024 - April 2025).
What is an Official Community Plan 
(OCP) for Gabriola Island?
The OCP implements the community’s vision.
It provides a long-term strategy for land use management, outlining broad objectives and policies to guide 
future growth and development of the community.
The OCP must align with higher level policies.
These include the Local Government Act, the Islands Trust Act, and the Islands Trust Policy Statement. This 
ensures that local plans are consistent with regional and provincial directives.
What is NOT part of an Official Community 
Plan for Gabriola Island?
The OCP is not a zoning bylaw or detailed regulatory document. Specific regulations and enforcement 
mechanisms are found in the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and must be consistent with the OCP.
The OCP does not include the provision of infrastructure or services. Infrastructure such as sewer, or roads, 
and  community services  within the Islands Trust Area are the responsibility of other levels of government. 
What does the current OCP say about waste & water?
The current Gabriola OCP emphasizes comprehensive waste management and environmental protection 
strategies. It supports recycling for all solid waste, with a preference for local services, and mandates 
compliance with the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Waste Management Plan for waste storage sites. The plan 
discourages burning waste from lot clearing. 
Water conservation methods and the retention of rainwater are encouraged. Industrial and recreational 
uses that require lots of water and the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are discouraged. 
Importing water from outside the area is prohibited, and community water systems must undergo 
professional reviews prior to approval. Development is restricted in areas with potential septic issues unless 
alternative disposal methods are approved. Sewage outfalls to marine waters are only allowed with tertiary 
treatment to prevent environmental harm.
The OCP also contains policies related to institutional uses that exist for the benefit of the local community. 
These include:  the Community Hall, the Gabriola Recycling Depot, churches, schools, fire halls and health care 
centres.
Exploring waste & water
In general, the OCP takes the approach of supporting waste and water 

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