It’s obvious some Coldstream residents are frustrated with noise around them, and that’s understandable given the investment we make in our homes.
However, some of the debate coming out of district council Monday night is misguided.
Starting off is the suggestion that only export markets benefit from the fruit grown in Lavington, and not anyone local. But the reality is that from the very beginnings of the Okanagan industry, fruit has always been shipped overseas or to other parts of Canada. The revenue supports families and workers right here, and they pay their taxes and shop locally.
There were also claims Monday that Coldstream is largely a residential community. And while most residents do live in subdivisions, consider that a vast majority of the overall land base is agricultural, whether it’s large operations or hobby farms. The community would be a very different place if it wasn’t for agriculture, including the lack of greenspace subdivision occupants take for granted.
Coldstream will examine its noise regulations, but there is little that can be done given that provincial Right to Farm legislation takes precedent.
What that means is municipal politicians need to bring farmers and their neighbours together instead of fostering rhetoric. One possibility could be to form a committee of residents and business owners that looks for compromises to noise issues, and particularly helicopters and turbines.
But one thing that Coldstream shouldn’t do is relegate agriculture to history when it’s still a relevant part of the community’s social and economic makeup.
