Hullo Ferries’ first-year anniversary has seen the Nanaimo-based company carry just over 400,000 passengers. The walk-on service between downtown Nanaimo and Vancouver has run about 3,200 sailings. It operates up to 14 sailings per day. It recently expanded its terminal in Nanaimo with a larger outdoor waiting area and more food and beverage offerings. Hullo opened a downtown Nanaimo waiting area at 10 Church St. for passengers to use while waiting for the complimentary shuttle bus to and from the terminal.
“Reaching our one-year anniversary is a remarkable moment for Hullo Ferries,” said Alastair Caddick, chief executive of Vancouver Island Ferry Co. which operates the service.” We’re incredibly grateful to the thousands of guests who choose to sail with us every day and extend a special thanks to the Nanaimo community for embracing us so warmly.”
Walk-on ferry service was a dream for many years among Nanaimo residents and was on wish-lists every election. The company has made a point of running late night service to allow passengers to attend special events in Vancouver.
Revisions aim to protect First Nation values
New revisions to the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan are designed to protect ‘Namgis First Nation cultural values and biodiversity and give operational clarity to the forest industry working in that area. Called the Gwa’ni Land Use Plan, it is devised to protect ecosystems within the Nimpkish River watershed.
It will result in new Gwa’ni general management zones and special management zones.
The special management zones will focus on restoring important areas, such as headwaters, streams and valley bottoms with high fish, wildlife, recreation and cultural values.
General management zones provide direction for a complete range of resource values, including timber extraction and integrated resource management.
The new plan also proposes two new conservation areas of 1,600 hectares in the watershed.
Median monthly rental rate up in July to $2,160
Victoria’s median monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment rose by 6.9 per cent in July to $2,160 year-over-year versus July 2023, online rental site Zumper.com reported. A median rate is the middle amount among the range of rates for rental units. The rate for a two-bedroom apartment climbed 8.6 per cent from a year ago to $2,900.
Oak Bay seeks land-use planning consultant
The District of Oak Bay has issued a request for qualification for a land-use planning consultant. The municipality is seeking help to handle high volumes of development applications and to assist in updating related regulations. The job was posted Wednesday and closes Sept. 11.
