New Westminster representatives are joining forces to host a townhall meeting about a proposed coal facility in Surrey.
The townhall meeting, taking place on Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. in the Douglas College theatre, is being hosted by Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian, New Westminster-Coquitlam-Port Moody MP Fin Donnelly, MLA-elect Judy Darcy and the City of New Westminster.
Fraser Surrey Docks has submitted a project permit application to Port Metro Vancouver to develop a direct transfer coal facility that could handle up to four million metric tonnes of coal at a site that's located across the Fraser River from Westminster Quay. Fraser Surrey Docks has hosted two open houses in Surrey, but none in New Westminster.
"This is an important issue for New Westminster, particularly for neighbourhoods like Westminster Quay and Queensborough," Julian said in a press release. "I'm glad that representatives from all three levels of government are coming together to hold this important consultation."
Organizers have invited representatives from Port Metro Vancouver, Fraser Health, the environmental community and Fraser Surrey ? continued from page 1 Docks to participate.
"People in the community have concerns about the proposed coal facility," Donnelly said. "I believe it's important to provide a forum where these concerns can be properly addressed."
Local residents groups, environmental groups and health officials have expressed concern about the project. The Quayside Community Board has collected petitions and held a No Coal rally on the issue, and the Queensborough Residents Association recently voted to oppose coal exports from Fraser Surrey Docks.
"Clearly this issue concerns many local residents and it's one we've been working on for some time," said New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright in the press release. "By partnering with New Westminster's MLA-elect and MPs to host this townhall meeting, we are providing citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns."
New Westminster's municipal, provincial and federal officials have voiced concerns about the consultation that's taking place for the project.
"The lack of public consultation to date has been very disappointing," Darcy said. "People of New Westminster have serious questions about this project that must be addressed."
The townhall meeting will also be web broadcast live on New West TV. Viewers may access the web feed at www.newwest.tv and clicking on the COAL icon.
