Islands Trust reiterates this is just the start of a discussion to protect Gabriola’s shorelines

Hope Lompe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

Gabriola Island property owners had the opportunity to speak at the Islands Trust meeting during the public comment period, with questions about the proposed 200 meter shoreline buffer around the island.

The buffer is being considered as part of the Gabriola Island Official Community Plan (OCP) Review, that aims to protect shoreline ecosystems, adapt to climate change, filter rainwater runoff and preserve archaeological and cultural sites.

It is a potential tool that could be used to guide future land use planning discussions, and is not strictly a regulation or restriction on its own. The buffer would not change the zoning or take away existing development rights.

One community member said there have been “no specifics of any kind of what this buffer zone means.” Islands Trust provided the Sounder with details of the proposed buffer zone, as published in the Oct. 1, 2025 Sounder, also posted at soundernews.com

Trustees for Gabriola Island Susan Yates and Tobi Elliott also spoke to the proposed buffer zone in the meeting.

“I think it’s really important that the consideration of that shoreline buffer does not represent a regulation or necessarily even any restrictions,” Yates said during the Oct. 9 meeting. “The most important thing is that, right now that 200 meter buffer, it’s just for conversation, and it’s a draft map. I really see the value in putting it in certain places, like Gabriola, but that’s just my lens, and it needs lots of discussion.”

Elliott adds she has heard a lot of public concern, but reiterates this is the start of the conversation.  “It’s the start of a conversation. It is not moving into regulation yet.

“There will have to be a decision making matrix based on what comes up in that buffer zone. …Being in the buffer doesn’t necessarily change your zoning or take away existing development rights,” Elliott said during the Oct. 9 meeting.

Another community member also spoke up about their concerns during the public comment period.

“As a property owner in that area, I had to dig very deep… where I found the actual property lines within that 200 meter buffer and it was quite shocking,” a community said at the Oct. 9 meeting. “I initially thought it went from the high water mark, but for people who own properties, it doesn’t go from the high water mark, it goes from the edge of your property and ends at 45 feet, so that’s quite a deep buffer zone.”

They add Islands Trust should hold a discussion forum with Gabriola Island waterfront property owners,

In a follow up interview with the Sounder, Yates says more discussion is a good idea, and that the buffer zone is measured 200 meters from the shoreline to the upland.

She reiterates the buffer does not mean Islands Trust could take away land from property owners. 

“No one’s going to ever do that,” Yates says. “But if you’re looking 50 years down the line with climate change, you’re going to need some buffer in order to safely develop your property without it being washed away or wrecked.”

She adds shoreline development harms or eliminates vegetation that tempers the effects of big tides. Hard shoring, like sea walls, can have more damaging effects. As waves crash against the wall, they rush back, and in the process can strip the shore down to bare rock and mud.

“Because the tide has hit so hard against that wall and dragged everything back.” Yates says. “If you have green shoring instead, it’s a much gentler way of dealing with the impact of those hard waves in winter.”

With files from Derek Kilbourn.

A draft map from the Islands Trust, showing the proposed 200m buffer along the shorelines of Gabriola Island. Provided by Islands Trust