Several hundred local residents have offered their insight into how Sackville can start living more sustainably, providing a variety of options to ensure the community can maintain its high quality of life for years to come.
About 250 people responded to Sustainable Sackville's recent survey, a document that featured a variety of questions ranging from what residents like most about Sackville to what they would change about the town, to what sustainable living means to them and what are their most pressing concerns and priorities when it comes to sustainable living.
Tracey Wade, project coordinator for the town's community sustainability plan, says survey respondents provided a number of recommendations on how Sackville can become more sustainable, ranging from expanding the garbage separation program to supporting local businesses to providing public transportation alternatives and more.
The top three responses, says Wade, highlighted the need to increase the availability of locally-produced food, provide more opportunities to use renewable energy sources, and for the municipality to step up to the plate to set an example
"People would like the municipality to lead," says Wade, citing examples such as developing policies for idling and downtown densification, as well as enforcing stricter building standards for energy efficiency.
Wade says although some people might argue that the town shouldn't be in the business of enacting even more bylaws or policies, there is proof that this direction works.
For example, a quick glimpse at the recent survey indicates that 90 per cent of respondents recycle while 94 per cent say they use reusable shopping bags. Sackville town council mandated the wet/dry recycling program for residential use three years ago and it has also promoted the use of the cloth grocery bags.
"Those are the two things that the most people are doing," she says. "I think it (legislation) provides somewhat of an incentive for us to change some of the bad habits we've accumulated over the past 30 to 40 years."
Residents say they would like to see more local food-buying or growing opportunities made available, including encouraging wider use the use of backyard gardens, community gardens and a larger farmers' market.
As well, it was suggested that Sackville should try and attract more stores and services to town so community members don't feel they have to go out of town to shop.
Public transportation alternatives were also recommended, as well as continuing to install more bicycle lanes throughout the community.
The Sustainable Sackville survey has been one of the first opportunities for community participation in the process.
The quality of life of this small, friendly town was the quality respondents said they liked most about Sackville. Yet while there was an interest is seeing the town prosper, significant community growth (population-wise) was not a priority.
The cultural strength of the community as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding area figured prominently in responses. It was also acknowledged by many that Mount Allison University's presence in the town provided for a richer and more diverse quality of life.
Respondents also provided a number of suggestions for improvements and changes that could be made in the municipality.
The need for more restaurants and businesses in the downtown core topped the list, with people noting that increased business and service presence in the central area of town would require less travel outside the community for basic necessities.
Improvement to infrastructure was another frequent response - including improvements related to water lines, wheelchair accessible curbing, improved road conditions, streetlights at King and Main Streets, and additional street lighting along certain roads.
Other areas of top concern included water quality, availability of medical services, security of local jobs, effectiveness of local government, and the long-term stability of the dykes and rising sea levels.
Wade says the survey provided the planning commission, which has been tasked to develop the sustainability plan, with a solid base on the direction residents would like to see the community head.
"Now we have an idea of what people are doing already (to live sustainably) and what they're thinking," she says.
Wade has also been hosting a number of focus groups in the community with various groups and organizations and is also organizing an upcoming community breakfast to discuss the local issues. The breakfast will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the Sackville United Church from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Sustainable Sackville is asking for a $2 donation in exchange for a continental breakfast and discussion.
245 survey participants
67 per cent concerned over lack of variety of downtown businesses
66 per cent list water quality as a top concern
61 per cent report lack of family doctors as a concern
90 per cent recycle (wet/dry program)
94 per cent use reusable grocery bags
50 per cent also use reusable mugs, lunch bags, return bottles or compost
88 per cent reduce water usage by washing only full laundry loads
63 per cent take short showers
56 per cent turn off tap while brushing teeth
36 per cent use a low-flush toilet
8.3 km is the average commute to work
45 per cent walk to work/school
40 per cent use a personal vehicle/carpool
14 per cent bike (except in winter)
96 per cent buy some groceries in Sackville
62 per cent also grocery shop in Amherst/Moncton
58 per cent go to the local farmers' market
(source: Sustainable Sackville, resident survey report)
