A protest against the looming potential for the city to become a coal port drew a larger crowd than usual to the Port Alberni Port Authority annual general meeting on Tuesday afternoon. But the big news inside were PAPA’s major changes at the helm and its pivotal financial status as the port authority mounts several major projects.
Graham Hughes, along with about two dozen protesters calling themselves Citizens for a Local Economy, were stationed outside the lawn nowling clubhouse on Wallace Street prior to the meeting.
They are concerned about the Raven Underground Coal Project, which has identified Port Alberni as its preferred port of transport to send mined coal to overseas markets. Opponents believe coal is not an environmentally acceptable fuel, and that increased truck traffic to transport it will degrade and clog up local roads, and have a negative effect on the image of the city.
“The coal port is a big driving force behind this project. They [PAPA] have a lot of power to negatively impact the community,” Hughes said. “And they are not elected officials.”
He added the group hopes to open up a dialogue about the project with PAPA officials.
Inside the meeting, the public learned there have been three major changes at the helm of PAPA this year: Capt. Zoran Knezevic is the authority’s new CEO, replacing Brad Madelung; John French is the new terminal manager and Capt. Steven Baxter is the new harbour master.
All three have moved to the community from other areas to work for PAPA, and collectively bring many years of marine service to the authority.
It’s a pivotal time for these new leaders, as PAPA is in the midst of several major projects that impacted the authority’s balance sheet for 2011.
Last year PAPA reported revenues of just over $5 million, yet ended the year with a comprehensive loss of $26,544.
The major expenditures related to the loss include the new floating breakwater project, with a cost of $2.5 million and upgrades to marinas totaling $274,000.
However, PAPA officials stress the breakwater is an asset to the community, offering the potential for major economic growth.
Dave McCormick, manager of property and community relations, explained the Fishermen’s Harbour Improvement Project’s total budget is $9.8 million.
There are plans in the works to use this new area to attract more and larger vessels, boost tourism and possibly become the base for a float plane company.
Its ultimate purpose, though, is to provide protection to the marina basin.
PAPA’s marina upgrades were also detailed at the meeting.
Manager of marina services Mike Carter explained these include new security cameras at all facilities.
“These have been very helpful and have, in some cases, led to charges being laid by the RCMP,” he said.
In addition, an unsafe building was recently demolished at Clutesi Haven Marina, and a new gangway to the river float installed just last week.
Around PAPA’s main building, fencing and new security cameras and signs have also been installed.
“We have to do this,” . Baxter explained, adding there is an international standard the port authority must abide by regarding its security levels.
Among other future projects PAPA officials identified are increasing cruise ship calls to the city’s port, pursuing home-based commercial fishing fleets and seeking interested parties to set up a fuel service, which would be a necessary addition should the float plane project become a reality.
While the issue of PAPA being used as a coal port was not openly discussed during the meeting, several concerned residents did ask questions about it.
Port Alberni resident Chris Alemany asked if PAPA has a position on rail or road as the preferred method of transport to and from the port.
Knezevic said he “would like to see both.”
But he added the decision does not rest with PAPA.
“As a good community member we will solicit feedback. However, we are not the leader in this,” he said. “We are not the proponent, just a facility.”
When pressed on whether PAPA has reviewed comments and concerns about the project, namely those which were forwarded to Raven from a consultant on behalf of the authority, Knezevic said he would review the information and “get back to the community.”
