Stop Mega Yacht Marina in Victoria Harbour
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled, B.C. Provincial Legislature, and Mayor & Council City of Victoria
We, the undersigned concerned citizens are strongly opposed to an application by Community Marine Concepts Group to acquire a lease on a 6.42 acre (2.6 hectares) water lot currently owned by the Province of British Columbia on the north shore of Victoria's Inner Harbour to build a private Mega Yacht Marina. If the lease is granted, it would remove this valuable natural heritage asset from the public domain putting it in the private domain of a developer for the exclusive use of up to 55 mega-yacht owners while creating safety and access concerns for a wide range of existing harbour users.
That the entire north side of Victoria Harbour is the only remaining area where there is no development along the waterfront. Its miles of parkland and pathways are enjoyed by thousands of walkers who admire the harbour and distant mountain views while observing the wildlife that flourish on the waterfront. The priceless benefits of this natural urban asset accessible to all will be lost forever if the project proceeds.
That government review of this proposal has not included broad,accessible and transparent public consultation.
Therefore, we, the undersigned petitioners, oppose this proposed development and request that Parliament, the Legislature, and the City of Victoria deny approval of the Marina application.
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled, B.C. Provincial Legislature, and Mayor & Council City of Victoria
We, the undersigned concerned citizens are strongly opposed to an application by Community Marine Concepts Group to acquire a lease on a 6.42 acre (2.6 hectares) water lot currently owned by the Province of British Columbia on the north shore of Victoria's Inner Harbour to build a private Mega Yacht Marina. If the lease is granted, it would remove this valuable natural heritage asset from the public domain putting it in the private domain of a developer for the exclusive use of up to 55 mega-yacht owners while creating safety and access concerns for a wide range of existing harbour users.
That the entire north side of Victoria Harbour is the only remaining area where there is no development along the waterfront. Its miles of parkland and pathways are enjoyed by thousands of walkers who admire the harbour and distant mountain views while observing the wildlife that flourish on the waterfront. The priceless benefits of this natural urban asset accessible to all will be lost forever if the project proceeds.
That government review of this proposal has not included broad,accessible and transparent public consultation.
Therefore, we, the undersigned petitioners, oppose this proposed development and request that Parliament, the Legislature, and the City of Victoria deny approval of the Marina application.
Our Victoria Harbour is so lovely to look at from all angles. Having Mega size boats harboured there would forever take away the quaintness of this small harbour.
I am strongly opposed to this development! Especially at the proposed site. That stretch of the harbour is one of the most beautiful look outs and should remain untouched. While I understand that this is a harbour city and as a boater I know it is important to cater to the needs of boaters wishing to visit our city, improvements to our existing marinas would help provide more and better slips for boaters while preserving the beauty that draws so many to Victoria in the first place!
How is this a benefit to the greater population of Victoria and to all those "real' tourists. It is a foolish, selfish and greedy proposal by one developer and "perhaps" 50, likely absent yacht owners. Short term vison, long term destruction.
Tell them to park their rich butts somewhere else. The oceanfront belongs to the people of Canada. If this project goes through, I will have to consider changing my travel plans to a different location. I hope the government, the "planners" and the tourism industry are listening!
Just returned from another visit to Victoria on June 10. One of its attractive features is the small city atmosphere and lack of intense traffic on land and water. This proposed development would detract from its charm.
I am very opposed to this venture. I believe it will only benefit the moneyed elite, will not enhance the harbour, will pose a safety hazard to other boaters and users of the harbour and in general severely negatively impact the aesthetic beauty well-being of the area.
Tourists come to Victoria for its ambience. They come because it takes you back in time just a little. Don't make it look just like any other harbour city by bringing yet another marina for the few to enjoy who can afford boats.
Let's view mountains, not boats...
This harbour is already very small and crowded. It doesn't need anything added to it.
I just wish that the people in authority could realize that every beautiful place does not need to be developed into something. Our harbour is beautiful the way it is, and is able to be enjoyed by everyone. Please leave it that way. I shudder to think how dangerous it will become if the mega yacht marina is added to the already busy harbour traffic. We don't need it, and we don't want it. Please leave well enough alone.
Why on earth? Who on earth would take an unique jewel like our natural protected harbour, the envy of so many and reduce it to a stagnant storage dump for so few people. The harbour belongs to the people of British Columbia and Canada and our governments have a responsiblity to steward our unique, irreplaceable ,natural and priceless harbour.
Another example of politicians not caring about quality of life for us today and our descendants - just for the almight buck. How could this proposal even be given a first consideration. NO! NO! NO!
The Victoria harbour is beautiful and unique and must be kept that way for future generations. We must stop this development that would only benefit a select few.
I'm very concerned about this proposal which will damage the beauty and functionality of this very unique harbour.
Do you want to see this priceless natural public asset lost forever to future generations for the benefit of a developer and a few wealthy yacht owners? Visit our web site at www.savevictoriaharbour.com for more information.
Please, do not under any circumstances, allow this devastation of our Natural Resource, (our spectacular Inner Harbour). There is NO benefit and Great Loss. Safety for one.
It's inconcieveable that this proposal even got off the drawing board. We visit the City of Victoria and dear friends that live on the north shore of the harbour. The proposed marina will destroy the reason the condo towns and apartments were built on Songhees and the way of life for the residents, not to mention the public enjoyment of the leisure link that borders the edge of the harbour. STOP THE MARINA.
Our Harbour belongs to us and our Government is responsible for protecting our legacy. Here the Government has totally failed us. We must band together to prevent this ugly development
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4:12 pm PDT, Jun 10,
Frances Litman, Canada
This absolutely can not happen. Where else in the world can you be just a 10 minute walk from downtown, see the city yet experience the glory of the natural environment? From an environmental standpoint this would be a travesty. From a tourist point of view this would be ugly. If we are led to believe this will actually bring in tourist dollars, think again as the people who own these mega yachts are not likely to be spending money on hotel rooms or restaurants when they have it all on board. Imagine the noise, smell and pollution and congestion in the harbour! |
How can we allow one of BC's most beautiful harbors become a special place only for the rich and famous? In other words, for the use of a very few vs "open to the public."
