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 “A blueprint for the future of the North Okanagan is now official. The Regional District of North Okanagan adopted the North Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Bylaw No. 2500, 2011 at the Board of Directors’ meeting on September 21, 2011. The North Okanagan RGS, due in great part to the collaboration of all the partners during the development of this plan and the extensive opportunities for public participation throughout the process, has received unanimous support from member municipal councils, Electoral Area Directors and adjacent regional districts.
This cooperative Strategy is a first for the region. The RGS is a commitment to fostering strong partnerships and provides opportunities for local, regional and senior levels of government to work together to fully realize what smart and sustainable growth can offer. This partnership will help create a region that North Okanagan communities can be proud of.
The North Okanagan RGS was developed over several years, with three rounds of public consultation taking place since 2007 that resulted in comments and suggestions by over 830 residents. Consultation activities included public surveys, open houses, public meetings throughout all parts of the region, stakeholder and elected official workshops, presentations to North Okanagan municipal councils, growth issue working group meetings and presentations to agencies, the business associations and community groups. First Nations were invited to participate at every level throughout the process. Elected officials, stakeholders, First Nations and the public were encouraged to look beyond today’s immediate local and regional challenges and take a long range view of our future.
The development of the RGS has been driven by the cooperation, coordination and partnership of all of the communities in the North Okanagan. Public and elected official input has been, and will continue to be, essential during the development and implementation of the RGS. This Strategy established a clear vision of the future provides the opportunity for a new approach to regional cooperation for the next 20 years. The RGS expresses how our communities have agreed to work together to enhance our quality of life and long-term sustainability. Creating a 5-Year RGS Action Plan and a RGS Monitoring Strategy will be the first products developed during implementation. ”
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