Victoria sewage plant potential locations revealed

Some of Victoria's most beautiful and iconic parks are being considered for a long-awaitedsewagewater treatment plant.

On Tuesday, the Eastside Select Committee presented a list of 40"technically feasible" locations for thenew plant, includingVictoria's Beacon Hill Park and Ogden Point, Oak Bay's Willow Park, and lands on Arbutus Road in Saanich, B.C.

GeoffYoung,aVictoria citycouncillorand a member of the liquid waste managementcommitteefor the Capital Regional District, says heexpects there will be a few objections to many of the sites.

"Obviously it'sextremelycontroversial to designate a part of a park to be used as sewage treatment."

Public feedback wanted

Marg Gardiner,president of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association, says she's concerned about the potential environmental impact on green spaces.

"When I look at our rare, ecological areas and our few naturalized areas,such as Holland Park and Beacon Hill Park, being identified I am very worried."

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helpssays the community has to be open to a sewage plant where they live.

"If everyone saysnot in my backyard, we're never going to get anywhere. This is the21stcentury. There are sewage treatment and resource recovery plants around the world. You know, Vienna, Austria is an example ... smack dab in the middle of downtown. It's a tourist attraction," she says.

"My plea to the public is: now is the opportunity to get involved."

Public discussions about the sites will be held at the University of Victoria'sCadboroCommon building onMay 30from 10 a.m.to 4p.m. PTand at the Victoria Conference Centre onMay31,also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See the full map of the feasible sites