Trash talk creates political stink around the CORD board table

Jason Luciw - Kelowna Capital News Published: December 17, 2009

The frustration was palpable around the regional district board table Monday night as West Kelowna continued to stall on the location of a much-needed transfer station for the Westside landfill. Even Kelowna Coun. Michelle Rule, known for her kind demeanor, was noticeably upset at West Kelowna’s stance. “I would feel better if the district of West Kelowna would make up their mind,” Rule stated sharply. The need for a transfer station arises from the regional district’s need to close the Westside landfill, which serves Peachland, Westbank First Nation, the Central Okanagan West rural area and West Kelowna, by mid-2010. The dump has reached its capacity a full three years earlier than anticipated due to growth on the Westside. Before the closure can occur, however, the regional board must agree to the form and location of a transfer station where residents can take additional waste. The garbage would be transferred to the Glenmore landfill in Kelowna, which will be the only remaining dump in the Central Okanagan. Kelowna is unwilling to accept residential self-haul waste from the Westside, saying the dump will not be able to handle the additional traffic, making the transfer station a necessity.

The majority of the regional board was prepared to put its stamp of approval on an engineering staff report this week, which recommended the necessary transfer station be built at the existing Westside landfill site near Shannon Lake. However, Mayor Doug Findlater and Coun. Duane Ophus, who represent West Kelowna on the regional board, protested the staff recommendation. Findlater told the board that the regional district should be exploring alternative sites and making a comparative business case among several locations to ensure the best, most affordable option is found. However, regional district administrator Harold Reay said there is no additional site that staff knows of. West Kelowna has also admitted to knowing of no additional options at this time.

Waste reduction supervisor Peter Rotheisler also mentioned that the current plan, which calls for an open transfer station on the existing site, is by far the most affordable option. Under that option, a $28 increase would be required on West Kelowna tax bills to support transfer station operations and to cover the costs of hauling garbage over to the Glenmore Landfill, said Rotheisler. The tax increase would ensure that Westside user fees remain the same at $55 per metric tonne or $6 per truckload of household waste under 250 kilograms. Rotheisler added that moving the transfer station would cause costs to skyrocket. “There would be tonnes of consultation required, there would need to be research into real estate acquisition, not to mention there’s no obvious source of funding to pay for it.” Meanwhile, Ophus noted that the regional district must also still hold public consultation on the plan and he was uncomfortable with moving forward without public feedback. The regional district appeased the District of West Kelowna, agreeing to delay a decision on a site for the transfer station until a meeting on Jan. 14. Regional board chairman Robert Hobson urged West Kelowna to make a decision quickly, noting that final closure plans for the landfill have been in the works for more than a year. “Time is ticking,” said Hobson.

Subsequently, West Kelowna council passed on its first opportunity to commit to a transfer station site at its Tuesday afternoon meeting.That leaves council’s Jan. 12 meeting as the last possible chance for council to make a recommendation to the regional board.