QUESTIONNAIRE DISCLAIMER - savary island committee

QUESTIONNAIRE DISCLAIMER 

At the request of SIC, the following questionnaire results were compiled by Savary 

property owner Robert Moore, with the aid of data analysis on-line. 

All quantifiable answers were tabulated (such as the 58% percent of respondents who 

favoured dust control on the main road). There were however many answers that were not 

included in the tabulation, because they were written commentary, which are not 

quantifiable with the resources available to us. In the questionnaire's sections I and II for 

example, more than half the questions had asked for narrative input which cannot be 

represented by statistics. As well, many respondents had written their views of the 

questions themselves, which could also not be tabulated. 

SIC believes that releasing only the quantifiable results without the accompanying 

commentary could be misleading, and is a disservice to the respondents who, in 

responding to the questionnaire's request for comments, clearly wanted their 

commentary considered in the results. 

Further, we have concerns about leading questions that may have prompted the 

respondents' answers, and we are dissatisfied with the collection method that allowed for 

multiple submissions from individuals. 

Finally, the number of respondents is 176, which is only a fraction of Savary property 

owners, so should not be extrapolated to represent all of Savary. 

In the interest of maintaining transparency, we are releasing this portion of the results, 

with an apology to all the respondents who wrote commentary that has not been 

considered, and a caveat to the reader that SIC considers these results to be unreliable as 

a representation of Savary opinion. 

For the reasons listed above, SIC will not apply the results of this survey to our decisionmaking 

on transportation issues. We will continue to rely on our meetings with the 

Ministry of Transportation and the Savary public to guide our decisions. 

Savary Island Committee 2009-2010

Savary Island Transportation Plan Questionnaire 

Administered by the Savary Island Committee 2007-2008, in advance of the July 19 th , 2008 

Transportation Forum 

Dear Savary Island Property owner, 

Please assist us in representing the views of Savary Island property owners at the July 19 th 

Transportation Forum by taking half an hour to complete the attached questionnaire. Your response 

is important as it will help us determine priorities for the Transportation Plan, and the best 

approaches for its implementation, based on the views of property owners. The direct benefit of 

your participation in this survey will be ensuring that your views and priorities with regards to 

Savary’s transportation infrastructure are heard by the Powell River Regional District and the 

provincial government. 

Please be assured that your responses will remain confidential. Your suggestions and 

recommendations are sincerely appreciated, and we thank you for taking the time to fill out the 

attached survey. 

Responses would be appreciated by June 15 via one of the following methods: 

a) handed in to a member of the Savary Island Committee, or 

b) mailed to: Savary Island Committee c/o General Delivery, Lund, B.C V0N 2G0 

Responses received after June 15 th will be accepted, but due to the time needed to summarize survey 

results, cannot be included in the results presented at the July 19 th Transportation Forum. Late 

responses will, however, be included in a later summary document. 

Thank you for your participation, 

The Savary Island Committee: 

Barbara Graham (Area C) 

Jane Hungerford (Area A) 

Lowell Johnson (Area B) 

Jan Lindsay (Area C) 

Jack McGuire (Area C) 

Susan Poulos (Member at large) 

Harry Robertson (Area A) 

Rick Thaddeus (Area A) 

Ross Townsend (Member at large) 

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Background 

In 2006, the Savary Island Official Community Plan (SIOCP, Bylaw 403, 2006, available at 

http://www.powellriverrd.bc.ca/areas/area_a/ocp.html) was approved by the Powell River 

Regional District and the province. Section 6 of this document provided the objectives and 

policies related to Land and Water Transportation that were agreed to at that time, but little has 

been done to implement these plans. As property development has continued, so has the strain 

on the island's transportation infrastructure. The following questions relate to specific land and 

water transportation issue of relevance to the Transportation Plan. 

In response to the following questions, please choose the ONE answer that best 

represents your view by placing a tick in the appropriate box. 

Results are presented in % of N (176) 

I. Land Transportation Issues 

1. Vehicle regulation views 

A debate exists concerning whether Savary’s current transportation infrastructure should be 

adapted to accommodate more vehicles, or whether the number of vehicles should be capped 

and/or reduced in order to preserve the island for non-vehicular uses. 

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following: 

a. I am concerned about the growing number of vehicles on Savary. 

Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Undecided 

59 5 7 5 23 1 

a. I am in favour of initiatives that would keep vehicle use on Savary at the current level. 


15 8 6 9 55 6 

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. I am in favour of initiatives that would reduce vehicle use on Savary below the current level. 


48 5 2 9 34 3 

c. I am in favour of initiatives that would facilitate/allow an increase in vehicle use beyond the 

current level. 


16 4 12 5 59 5 

2. Transportation of vehicles to Savary 

One suggestion for keeping the status quo or limiting vehicle use on Savary is to add a 

surcharge to barging of vehicles to the island (amongst other disincentives), making barging a 

vehicle more expensive than parking a vehicle in Lund. 

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following: 

a. I would support adding a surcharge to barging a vehicle to the Island. 


45 4 1 5 43 2 

i. I would support such a surcharge if the proceeds were used for barging derelict and/or 

unlicensed vehicles off the Island. 


45 7 5 2 35 5 

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ii. I would support such a surcharge if it was exempted for vehicles of permanent residents 

and certain essential service vehicles. 


26 10 5 11 45 3 

b. I would support exploring the idea of a tax-funded parking lot in Lund as an alternative to 

barging vehicles to Savary. 


34 8 10 3 40 4 

c. I would support prohibiting the barging of vehicles transporting building supplies to Savary 

on weekends. 


38 5 7 5 42 3 

i. I would support such a prohibition during summer months only. 


35 6 7 6 41 5 

d. Please discuss any other suggestions/comments you have regarding vehicles on Savary: 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

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3. Road Maintenance 

Please answer the following questions with reference to this statement: 

Schedule C of the SIOCP breaks the island's existing roads into 3 classes, in order to assist the 

Ministry of Transportation (MOT) in identifying priorities for road maintenance. Level 1 roads are 

to be maintained “at a standard for reasonable all-weather access to all parts of the island”, with 

Level 2 and 3 roads maintained for access by emergency vehicles, land taxis, etc. Please refer 

to Appendix (attached) for a map detailing locations of Level 1,2, and 3 roads. 

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements: 

a. I think that Savary’s Level 1 (wharf to Indian Point) road is currently being maintained to the 

suggested level. 


27 10 3 12 45 3 

b. I think that Savary’s Level 2 and 3 roads (all other roads) are currently being maintained to 

the suggested level. 


25 11 9 14 37 5 

c. If you agreed with either question (a) or (b), please skip to question (d). If you disagreed with 

either question (a) or (b), please answer the following questions: 

i. Increased levels of Ministry of Transportation maintenance is required. 


48 10 1 1 4 36 

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ii. Additional funding and equipment should be acquired by SIC to maintain existing roads. 


19 10 9 5 30 26 

d. I think that dust control measures are required in the summer on Level 1 roads. 


58 16 10 2 10 5 

e. Please indicate any other suggestions you have with regards to road maintenance: 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

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4. New Road Construction/ Major Road upgrades 

Please answer the following questions with regards to this statement: 

The Savary Island Official Community Plan allows for new road construction or major road 

upgrades “which significantly improve fire control access or increase public safety.” 

a. In relation fire protection and emergency services, please indicate if you feel that your 

property is poorly served with regards to any of the following: (check any that apply) 

30 Access by fire trucks 

31 Access to fire fighting water supply 

29 Access by emergency vehicles 


b. I think SIC should be pursuing public funds to upgrade Level 1 roads to minimum Ministry of 

Transportation all-weather standards. 


42 13 7 8 24 6 

c. I think SIC should be pursuing public funds to build an alternate route between the wharf 

and Vancouver Blvd. (as put forth in schedule C of the Savary Island OCP). 


21 10 13 7 41 9 

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d. I think SIC should be pursuing public funds to develop a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle 

trail running the length of the island. 


46 15 9 5 23 2 

e. I support only road upgrading, and not new road construction. 


46 17 7 3 23 4 

f. I am concerned that road upgrades and building will increase and encourage vehicle use on 

Savary. 


49 7 7 7 27 2 

g. I am concerned that road upgrades and building will compromise the rural character of the 

Island. 


50 4 6 7 31 2 

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h. With regards to road upgrade options for the main road running the length of the island, 

please indicate which of the following you would most support: 

49 Maintaining the road at its current width 

15 Reducing the existing footprint (ie. narrowing the road) 

26 Adding more 2-way zones (ie. widening the road in some locations) 

9 Creating a 2-way zone the full length of the road (ie. widening the entire road) 

9 Other (please specify) 

__________________________________________________ 

a. Department of Transportation standards suggest providing drainage ditches on major roads 

(ie. the road running from the wharf to Indian Point), and providing culverts to divert flowing 

water under a road. 


i. I would support installing drainage ditches on both sides of the major road, along 

its full length. 


13 9 17 5 50 6 

ii. 

I would support installing culverts in areas of high water runoff to divert water 

under roads. 


42 19 4 5 24 6 

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i. Paving the island’s roads has been put forward as a means to decrease road maintenance 

costs, and to reduce or eliminate the need to grade the main road running the length of the 

island, during the winter. Nevertheless, the concept of asphalt roads on Savary has long 

been a contentious issue, as some property owners are concerned that paved roads would 

interfere with the Island’s rural character. 


i. Providing that asphalt would reduce road maintenance costs, I would support asphalt on 

Savary’s main road. 


25 7 3 4 60 1 

ii. I feel that paving Savary’s main road would damage the Island’s rural character. 


57 5 5 5 27 2 

j. Please discuss any other initiatives you feel SIC should be engaging in with regards to road 

construction and upgrades, or any other concerns you have regarding these issues: 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

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5. Other land transportation issues 

a. I think speed limits should be implemented on Savary using clearly marked signs. 


50 17 8 3 18 5 

d. I would support the removal of ‘abandoned vehicles’ (defined as vehicles left on a public 

road for longer than 72 hours). 


53 11 4 3 28 2 

e. I would support parking restrictions at the wharf area, along with dedicated wharf drop-off 

and pick-up spaces, and spaces for emergency and essential services vehicles. 


55 13 3 3 25 2 

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f. I would support exploring the idea of a public transportation system on the Island. 


28 21 14 5 30 2 

Please provide suggestions for what this transportation should consist of/how it would run: 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

g. Please discuss any other land transportation issues you would like to see addressed. 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

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II. 

Wharf transportation Issues 

1. I feel that the issue of traffic congestion on the wharf should be remedied through 

improvements to the wharf. 


35 16 13 4 24 8 

2. I feel that the issue of traffic congestion on the wharf should be remedied through a form of 

vehicular and pedestrian traffic regulation. 


36 10 9 10 29 7 

3. If you agreed with either question 1 or 2, please elaborate on specific improvements to the 

wharf, or on traffic or vehicular regulations: 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

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4. Please discuss any other water transportation issues you would like to see addressed: 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

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III. 

Resident vehicle use 

1. Vehicle use 

i. Do you own a dedicated Savary Island vehicle? Yes 30 No 

ii. Do you bring a vehicle to Savary during selected months? Yes 18 No 

If yes, please circle those months: 

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

iii. Do you share a vehicle with neighbours? Yes 18 No 

iv. If you answered yes to question i, ii, or iii, please answer the following: What do you use 

this vehicle for? (please check all that apply) 

Recreational use Yes 29 No 

Construction (business) Yes 5 No 

Construction (personal) Yes 26 No 

Other business Yes 8 No 

v. If you answered yes to questions i, ii, or iii, please indicate the level to which you agree 

with the following statement: 

My vehicle is my primary mode of transportation on the island. 


22 6 2 2 14 54 

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IV. 

General 

1. Please rank, in priority order, your concerns regarding vehicles and transportation on the 

Island. Use numbers 1 through 10 to indicate priority, where 1 is greatest priority, and 10 is 

of least priority (using each number only once). 

% % % % % 

1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5th 

Choice Choice Choice Choice Choice 

7 11 11 13 14 Traffic on roads 

2 6 5 10 10 Traffic on wharf 

5 6 17 11 10 Dust on roads 

11 12 8 9 7 Effects of vehicles on island 

environment 

13 11 11 11 8 The compromising of the rural 

character of the island 

4 6 6 11 13 Abundance of vehicles parked 

near wharf 

23 18 17 10 14 Safety of children/ cyclists/ 

pedestrians on roads 

17 12 9 8 6 Condition of roads 

5 10 5 4 3 Over-regulation of 

transportation 

11 2 5 2 1 Other (please specify) 

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2. With relation to off-season occupancy, please indicate what percentage of the months 

between mid-September and mid-June you predict your property will be occupied during the 

following years: 

___ 2008 

___ 2013 

___ 2018 

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3. Please indicate the area in which your property is located: 

39 Indian Point/Sunset Trail 

21 Mid-Island 

16 Savary shores 

15 Front 

6 Mace Point/ South Beach 

4. Optional: you may provide the following in order to help us analyse survey results by 

specific geographic location 

Please provide your family name ______________________________________________ 

and your Savary address: ____________________________________________________ 

5. Please add any additional comments you have with regard to Savary transportation issues: 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

This is the end of the questionnaire. Thank you once again for your time. 

Please refer to the cover page for instructions on how to turn in your responses 

19 | Page

20 | P age 

Appendix: Savary Island OCP Map C: Road 

Network

QUESTIONNAIRE DISCLAIMER - savary island committee

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