The proposed rezoning of approximately 74 hectares of land in Nanaimo’s south end is headed to a public hearing, with some residents voicing concern about what it could mean for a popular hiking trail. 

The Cable Bay Trail is tucked just south of Nanaimo in the community of Cedar, within the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), and winds through old-growth trees and Garry Oak meadows before reaching the ocean. 

The zoning application, submitted by Harmac Pacific, the operators of a nearby pulp mill, would allow the company to turn the land into a private industrial park, with a 100-metre average buffer zone along the trail.

But Cedar residents say the buffer isn’t enough, and they’re worried about how the rezoning could impact the fragile ecosystem around the trail.

Tammy Tait lives in Cedar and says it’s frustrating to see the City of Nanaimo make decisions that will primarily affect those living in the RDN. 

“We have a vibrant community, we have an agricultural community, and unfortunately, because this is a city zoning issue, we don’t have the same level of say as a city resident would have,” she said. 

100-metre barrier 

Jackie Wasyluk is an RDN resident who uses the trail daily. She says she’s been fighting Cable Bay rezoning applications for almost five years, and is one of the administrators behind the Save Cable Bay Facebook page, which has more than 4,000 followers. 

She says the rezoning could transform the area — and not in a good way. She estimates that approximately 7,390 trees will be gone should the development move forward. 

“It’ll completely change the area surrounding the trail, as well as the community of Cedar. It’ll impact Gabriola [Island], Mudge [Island] and parts of Nanaimo as well,” she explained.

“It’s very concerning.”

She says the 100-metre average buffer isn’t sufficient. Since it’s an average, she says, some areas of the trail will have upward of a 150-metre buffer, while the barrier may be as small as 50 metres in other places.

Paul Chapman, executive director of Nanaimo & Area Land Trust, says the 100 metres was calculated as a minimum to be met throughout the trail based on the height of the tallest tree multiplied by three, to protect the trail and ecosystem against infringing development. 

“More is better, but less is insufficient,” said Chapman.

“Less doesn’t protect against those edge effects from intrusion of wind and light.”

Councillor says balance is needed

The city has been long faced a shortage in industrial lands. An October 2025 report from Colliers International says the City of Nanaimo’s industrial vacancy rate was sitting at 0.74 per cent at the end of 2025, lower than both the Greater Victoria and Vancouver markets. 

Reports from previous years have shown a steady decline in available lands and have helped inform Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan, Nanaimo ReImagined.

The Cable Bay area has been identified as an ideal location for industrial development due to its proximity to other industry and a deep sea port.

Speaking to council on March 23, Coun. Ben Geselbracht says it’s about finding balance.

“At this stage, I fully support creating more industrial land in this area. It is important for the long-term well-being and economic future of our community,” he explained. 

“But we must ensure these lands are opened in a way that reflects Nanaimo’s commitment to environmental sustainability, public health and responsible long-term planning.”

Geselbracht states he was not ready to support the application past second reading, and was looking to defer the public hearing until a report could be brought back to council. 

However, the public hearing will be moving forward on April 16.