Infrastructure and Essential Services
Powell River depends on an extensive network of roads, water lines, sanitary sewers and stormwater systems. Much of this infrastructure is aging, and recurring failures involving water and drainage have caused disruptions and, in some cases, damage to homes and businesses. With approximately 135 km of sanitary sewer mains and 100 km of stormwater mains, maintaining these systems is a substantial and ongoing responsibility for the City.
The maintenance, repair and replacement of these systems must take priority over beautification, non-essential projects and new amenities. That doesn't mean those projects and improvements don't have any value, but reliable water, sewer, drainage and transportation systems are fundamental responsibilities of municipal government. Delaying necessary maintenance can lead to more costly repairs and replacement later.
The City already has asset management plans covering its core infrastructure. As a councillor, I would work to understand those plans fully, including how current they are and how they guide maintenance and replacement decisions. That means understanding the condition of our assets, their expected remaining life, the consequences of failure, estimated replacement costs and how those costs will be funded. Council should also be transparent with the public about the risks, funding gaps and priorities that guide infrastructure decisions.
Repairing an existing asset is often more economical than replacing it, but the cheapest short-term solution is not always the most responsible long-term choice. Decisions should consider the cost of the repair, how much longer it will keep the asset operating, the likelihood and consequences of another failure, ongoing maintenance costs and the cost of replacement. Not everything that breaks needs to be replaced, but repeatedly repairing something near the end of its useful life can sometimes cost more in the end.
The City should actively pursue provincial and federal grants for necessary projects. Powell River taxpayers already contribute to the revenues that fund those programs, and securing those grants can reduce the share of project costs borne by local taxpayers. However, applications should be strategic, well prepared and focused on projects that fit the City’s established priorities.
