On Dec. 18, 2023, Nanaimo City Council voted 8-1 to rule out building housing on the Five Acre farm in Harewood, keeping it for agriculture and recreational use, along with wetland preservation.
The decision comes following a overwhelming number of people coming out to open houses and responding to surveys to share their thoughts on the farm.
“There’s a lot of unused agricultural space in our rural areas and a lack of farmers, so hopefully this space can be a source of information for the next generation to grow more food on Vancouver Island,” said Councillor Ben Geselbracht at the time.
Councillor Hilary Eastmure echoed those thoughts. "I .... really appreciate that the conversation wasn't from that classic NIMBY perspective of ‘I don't want housing in my backyard’, it was really from the perspective that this property is so special and needs to be preserved because of the agricultural value of it.”
Thank you to all of those who shared your voice on this important issue. The Nanaimo Foodshare Society has a license to use part of the site for education, a community garden and an urban farm. You can contact them to arrange tours.
News Coverage:
Times Colonist - No housing for five-acre farm in Nanaimo
Nanaimo News Now - Nanaimo Council picks park over including affordable housing for Five Acre Farm.
Nanaimo News Bulletin - Nanaimo city council drops idea of affordable housing at Five Acre Farm
CHLY - Nanaimo council votes to not build affordable housing on Five Acres Farm