Media Release
Visioning Process will Empower Communities to Shape their own Future
(Friday, December 1/06) - Halifax Regional Municipality launched a new Community Visioning Project, with kick-off events held last night in the three communities selected for the pilot project - Musquodoboit Harbour, Fall River and Bedford Waterfront area (including Mill Cove).
The Community Visioning Project is an important first step towards implementing HRM's Regional Plan at the community level - it provides an informal opportunity for communities to think creatively about how they could function, how they might change, and what they might look like over a 15-25-year time frame. It’s about building a sense of community and a sense of pride in these communities. It’s as much about the look (physical) of a community, as it is about the sense residents have living in the community (proud, safe, vibrant etc.) The pilot project will begin in January 2007 and is expected to take approximately six (6) months to complete.
Councillor Krista Snow (District 2-Waverley/FallRiver/Beaver Bank) said visioning will allow residents in her district to shape their community according to their shared values and priorities: "The residents of Fall River know how they would like their community to look and feel 20 years from now. The Community Visioning Project will generate ideas, issues and solutions; and, the community's participation in the program will ensure meaningful decisions are made about the future of Fall River. I encourage everyone to participate and share your vision!"
Councillor Steve Streatch (District 1- Eastern Shore/Musquodoboit Valley) said “Our sense of community in the rural parts of HRM is very strong.Community visioning will ensure that our values, and the distinctive natural and cultural features we are proud of, continue to figure prominently in the planning process, especially around central services, development opportunities and recreational needs.”
"This is a great opportunity for residents to voice their desires for the future of Bedford,” said Councillor Gary Martin (District 21-Bedford). “Whether its regarding recreation, planning and development, parks or safety. My hope is that citizens will choose one of the many ways to get involved in the process so we can hear what their vision of Bedford is for the future."
The visioning process will not only focus on land use or planning issues, but will respond to a broader range of community concerns and opportunities crossing over many of HRM’s areas of program and service. Action plans will be developed and, through working with a team of HRM staff, resources and time lines to achieve these actions will be identified. Some actions may require the initiation of new projects, the creation of new policies and significant financial investment. Other actions may simply pose new approaches to current practices and better support for existing efforts.
Some of the ways residents might get involved include volunteering as a member of a Community Liaison Group (CLG) or participating in hands-on learning through workshops and informal community meetings.
A website (www.halifax.ca/visionHRM) has been developed to provide residents with information on Community Visioning, to offer opportunities for getting involved and to provide ongoing updates throughout the visioning process. The website will also host an online public forum.
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Councillor Stephen Streatch
497-2995
Councillor Krista Snow
476-7206
Councillor Gary Martin
476-0021
