Port Metro Vancouver Land Use Plan aims to protect the remaining supply of port industrial land
In a speech today to the Vancouver Board of Trade, Port Metro Vancouver President and Chief Executive Officer Robin Silvester once again called for the creation of an industrial land reserve, noting the serious threat posed to the local and national economies by a shrinking industrial land base in Metro Vancouver, the company said in its press release.
“Industrial land enables trade, creates jobs and provides tax revenues to municipalities,” said Silvester. “Metro Vancouver currently has a supply of industrial land that is sufficient to meet demand for up to 15 years at most. If we don’t act now, we will face a serious and imminent shortage with significant consequences.”
Port Metro Vancouver is maximizing the efficiency of port operations and improving existing infrastructure to handle more cargo using the land currently available, but studies indicate 2,300 additional acres of industrial land will be needed in the gateway by 2025 to meet increasing cargo demand. Port Metro Vancouver will continue to engage the region in a constructive and meaningful dialogue to find solutions to the shared industrial land challenges.
A piece of this work includes the release today of Port Metro Vancouver’s updated Land Use Plan, a key priority of which is to protect the remaining supply of industrial land within Port Metro Vancouver jurisdiction for future generations. The plan is similar to a municipal official community plan and identifies the types of uses that are appropriate throughout the port, a jurisdiction that borders 16 municipalities, one treaty First Nation, and intersects the traditional territories of several other First Nations.
“This is an important document for the Lower Mainland,” said Peter Xotta, Vice President of Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver. “It sets out how Port Metro Vancouver will manage the land in our jurisdiction over the next 15 to 20 years, in response to growth in Canada’s trade.”
The document assists tenants and customers in identifying areas to locate or expand their operations and investments, and provides neighbouring residents and communities with greater clarity about activities and uses that may occur on port lands. The plan illustrates Port Metro Vancouver’s ability to accommodate future growth in a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable manner, and reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship and to contributing positively to local communities and First Nations.
The Land Use Plan was developed in consultation with more than 1,000 people representing municipalities, First Nations, government agencies, environmental organizations, businesses, industries, and members of the public, in a process which spanned nearly three years.
About Port Metro Vancouver
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest port and the fourth largest tonnage port in North America, responsible for Canada’s trade with more than 160 world economies.
