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EDITORIAL: NDP must clarify Stickle

It’s obvious that the Stickle Road extension into Vernon is moving ahead.
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It’s obvious that the Stickle Road extension into Vernon is moving ahead.

After all, considerable fill is being dumped this week so there is a firm base to construct the new road on.

This is bad news for local residents, and particularly environmentalists, who were wanting to stop the project from wiping out a portion of BX Creek Delta Park.

“I feel that it is tragic, unnecessary and wrong,” said Keli Westgate, with the Sustainable Environment Network Society.

“It’s a sad day for the protected species in this place as well as the community who has enjoyed this wetland and are devastated to see it ruined.”

There was the hope that the new NDP government in Victoria would bring a halt to the construction initiated by the former Liberal regime. But while Liberal MLA Eric Foster continues to defend the plan, not a peep has been heard from the new guys.

In the absence of official comments, one can only assume the new transportation and environment ministers have no problems with what’s happening at BX Creek Delta Park. But of course we all know what happens when one assumes.

In the end, it would help clarify the situation if the new government was clear about where it actually stands on what continues to be a contentious issue, particularly for those residents who cast ballots for the NDP and the Greens.

Victoria needs to either let us know the project is moving ahead and protesters should get on with life, or that while fill is being dumped, nothing else will happen.