the hidden costs of growth and development

[Rick Shea]

Most people don't seem to think about the hidden costs of development and population growth. I'm not talking about the infrastructure costs, which are relatively obvious (new landfills, expanding roads, water systems, sewer systems, and so on), but rather things that we don't often relate to development and population growth.

One example I have already mentioned is cleaning costs due to the extra dust and pollution created. Another is the additional fuel costs most of us pay each time a new traffic light is added or congestion increases.

What other hidden costs of growth and development can you list?

[Rick Shea]

Well, just to keep the ball rolling, our growing crime problem means that we have to pay more policing costs for enforcement and investigation, more costs for our courts, and higher home and automotive insurance rates.

The direct causal link is clear, even in articles in our local papers, that crime is attracted by growth. Therefore this constitutes just another hidden cost.

More?

[Rick Shea]

Isn't it about time that we placed a moratorium on development in the urban interface areas until permanent fireguards are in place?

With nothing but respect and admiration for the hard work and sacrifice of our professionals and volunteers, the 2003 fire, and the current fire on the west side (which, thankfully, has been knocked down by the rains today) are just more examples of our unpreparedness. The loss of property is one issue, but the sense of panic and helplessness among the affected residents should be of concern to anyone who really cares about people.

Meanwhile, our planners and our council are busy preparing for more growth in the interface areas with no plan in place at all for permanent fireguards. The Filmon report was a start, but the BC Wildlife Federation cautions that "Fireproofing the interface zones will take many years, it's not going to be accomplished overnight, or even in two or three years. Additionally, maintenance work must be ongoing forever to prevent new in-growth from just taking over again."

Who pays for the costs of all of this? And who pays the costs when fires happen? The developers? Yeah, right.

www.bcwf.bc.ca/s=208/bcw1078205473026/