A 10-year-old plan for managing Panama Flats is about to get overhauled.
The idea is to replace the 2014 Panama Flats Concept Plan, which was heavily focused on agriculture, with a plan more reflective of what the space has become — a significant recreational destination and wetland home to a variety of wildlife.
“This is an opportunity for us to engage stakeholders, all those users and say: ‘Are we still on the right track?’ ” said Mayor Dean Murdock
Saanich acquired the 25.26-hectare area in 2011 with the idea of providing public space for flood-plain management, creating a new park and trails, and enhancing food security.
The land, on the Colquitz River floodplain, had been used since the 1870s for agricultural purposes.
The 2014 concept plan anticipated adding a significant amount of land to the Agricultural Land Reserve, but the Agricultural Land Commission rejected the application.
The plan also envisioned drainage improvements, establishing a field for migratory birds, new trails and enhanced fish habitat and Garry oak ecosystems.
Hollis Hodson, president of the Carey Area Residents Association, told council this week that things have changed significantly since the concept plan was last considered and the approach from Saanich needs to reflect that.
She noted nature has reclaimed a lot of the area once used for agriculture, which has allowed bird populations to thrive and protected and fostered some species at risk.
“It’s become a symbol of healthy Saanich and people are down there and walking all the time,” she said.
Hodson had been pushing for a task force, including Saanich staff and stakeholders, that would rework the plan to reflect what Panama Flats has become over the last 10 years.
“The information that was originally there is stale,” she said.
Suzanne Samborski, Saanich’s director of parks and recreation, said the plan is to meet with residents, stakeholders, First Nations and user groups like the birders who frequent the area, and look at how the concept plan can be aligned to reflect the new reality of the place.
The first phase, which will start this fall, will be engagement with residents and stakeholders to discuss the current plan and the proposed objectives of biodiversity conservation, stormwater management and recreational opportunities.
The concept plan will be adjusted based on the feedback before coming back to council for approval.
Implementation of the plan is not expected to happen until later in 2025.
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