In January 2019 a Community Survey was launched to garner feedback from the community. The following provides a summary of the communities input:
1. How long have you lived here? 49% 21+ years; 10.5% 16-20 years; 11.9% 11-15 years; 9.7% 5-10 years and 18.7% 0-4 years
2. Top Three reasons people who have moved here less than 5 years ago? Rural Character – 22.9%; Lifestyle – 20%; Affordable Living & Housing tie at 16.7%
3. Age of respondents? 65+ – 26%; 56-65 – 20.7%; 45-55 18.8%; 36-45 18%; 26-35 13.3%; 19-25 2.78; 0-18.28%
4. Gender? Female – 69%; Male – 28%; non-binary .28%
5. Where do you live? 23 of the 364 respondents do not live within the municipal boundaries
6. What do you do for work? (top 3) Work within Clearwater – 32.2%; Retired – 31%; Self-employed and work outside home – 13.8%
7. School aged Children? Yes – 30.8%; No 69%
8. How many children? 0-2 69%; 2-4 27.7%; 5+ – 3%
9. Open ended question of community recreation – is there enough? Yes – 200; No 46 and need a pool was 40 (There are 315 written responses to review). Key comments were for the community to have a pool, and general consensus is that recreation in the community in and out doors is plenty for a small community.
10. Top 3 things to enjoy about Clearwater? Lifestyle – 77.8%; Backcountry/Outdoors – 70%; Affordable Living/Housing – 38.9% (Recreational outdoor opportunities in a close 38.4%)
11. Challenges facing the community (3 top)? Employment/Career Opportunities – 71.1%; Being able to grow in a sustainable manner – 42%; Availability of Rental Housing – 37.4% (Providing enough communities amenities was a close 33%)
12. Top 3 Priorities Council should focus on in next 4 years? Economic Development – 61%; Road Infrastructure 39%; Housing, Land and Zoning 29.4% ties with Develop Commercial Tax Incentives for Business Growth – 29.4%
13. Top 3 choices for type of housing needed? Rentals – 52.2%; Senior Living Facilities – 50.5%; Single Family detached – 41.2% (Low income a close 40.4%)
14. Top 2 Capital Improvements to focus on? Road Improvements – 55%; Enhancing Dutch Lake – 29.4% (water and sewer a close 25.6%)
15. Top 5 type of businesses to be recruited? Manufacturing (wood, furniture, etc) – 52.2%; Telework (professional firms who can work from anywhere) – 42.1%; Healthcare related businesses – 39%; Education and Training 38.7%; Commercial Retail 37%
16. Internet provider? Telus – 47.9%; Mascon 25.2%; Telus hub – 13%
17. Email for future community surveys – 134 of 364 respondents provided their email
18. Additional Comments – 148 provide further comments.
There is a great response to the survey with very positive community input that will provide Council with good information during the budget and strategic planning process. Each question
gave an opportunity to comment, the responses vary in number and length. Council will be provided copies of the full survey results prior to the Strategic Planning session at the end of March.