Regional District of Nanaimo residents in Nanoose will see tax dollars going towards better fire protection with construction of an underground water tank on Island Timberlands land.
The regional district board approved a non-exclusive licence with Island Timberlands Tuesday, which will see the tank and piping constructed and installed on a Creekcross and Matthew roads-area site in Nanoose, at an estimated cost of $150,000. Nanoose Fire Protection Society, which provides fire services for the area, identified the need for the infrastructure.
Doug Penny, Nanoose fire chief, said the tank would not only service the Island Timberlands lot, but also nearby houses as well.
“There’s no hydrants on that side of the highway,” said Penny. “It’s about a 12- to 15-minute run time to the nearest water supply, so with the highway traffic getting busier, it’s just harder to get water up there.”
Dennis Trudeau, regional district general manager of transportation and emergency services, said monies for the the project will come from tax requisition for Nanaimo fire services and the RDN will be charged an $1,800 yearly licensing fee, subject to changes in the Consumer Price Index, which will also come from taxes.
Trudeau said the licence won’t allow the regional district exclusive use of the lot, but it will have use for purposes of the water tank.
The regional district will be responsible for the tendering process, Trudeau said.
The deal is for five years.
For more information on what’s hapening at the RDN, please visit www.nanaimobulletin.com.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com