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DOC to prepare an infrastructure master plan with gas tax funding

The infrastructure master plan will integrate planning for roads, water, sewer and drainage for the municipality

District of Clearwater is to receive $140,000 in gas tax funding for an infrastructure master plan.

“The infrastructure master plan will be a valuable document to assist the council in determining how best to move forward on infrastructure planning, policies and solid budget projections,” said Mayor John Harwood. “It will help the district prepare for significant investments while assisting in avoiding budget shortfalls or unnecessary risks to ensure positive steps are taken to develop our community.”

“This plan will allow the district to have shelf-ready projects online for future grant opportunities,” Harwood added.

The infrastructure master plan will integrate planning for roads, water, sewer and drainage for the municipality.

Deliverables in the plan will include recommended changes to policies and bylaws, reporting that outlines specific investment options for water and wastewater supply, treatment and disposal improvements (including a financial analysis of anticipated costs for the next 20 years), along with public education and engagement.

One of the major costs the plan would address would be for roads. As a new municipality, District of Clearwater has not had to pay for road maintenance within its boundaries for its first five years. That grace period will end this coming December.

The money coming to Clearwater is part of $3.7 million from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund that is being allocated to 22 communities throughout B.C.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with the governments of Canada and British Columbia. On Dec. 15 the federal government passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion.

 

The purpose of the Gas Tax Fund is to provide stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This Infrastructure Canada program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions.