Public consultations underway | Richardson International expects project will add 700,000 tonnes of grain storage
Residents in North Vancouver had a chance this week to learn more about a proposed $120 million grain terminal expansion project planned by Richardson International.
Richardson, Canada’s second largest grain handler, is hoping to add 70,000 tonnes of grain storage capacity to its existing grain export terminal located on the north shore of Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet.
The expansion would allow the facility to increase exports of grain and oilseeds to more than five million tonnes a year.
It would also boost the terminal’s total storage capacity by nearly 65 percent to 178,000 tonnes.
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Public consultations on the project kicked off this week and are expected to continue until Oct. 19.
Richardson says the proposed expansion is key to ensuring the efficient movement of Canadian grain and oilseeds to overseas markets.
The terminal handles three million tonnes of grain and oilseeds each year, but company officials say it is operating at maximum capacity.
“Increasing storage capacity at our Vancouver terminal is critical to our business,” said Darwin Sobkow, Richardson’s vice-president of agribusiness operations.
“By increasing storage capacity and enhancing our operation, we will be better positioned to serve our farmer customers and meet increasing demand for Canadian grain and oilseeds from end-use markets worldwide.”
According to documents filed with the Port Metro Vancouver in late August, the proposed expansion would include the demolition of three existing storage bins and the construction of two 40,000-tonne concrete storage annexes.
It would also include new dust filtration systems, new conveyor equipment and support towers, an upgraded road access and a reconfiguration of the existing rail infrastructure.
The new annexes — about 54 metres high and 172 metres long — would be located in close proximity to existing residential neighbourhoods in North Vancouver.
Approval of the project would represent a significant investment in Canada’s Pacific Gateway initiative aimed at increasing trade between Canada and other Pacific Rim countries.
However, construction could also affect North Vancouver residents and other area stakeholders.
Richardson spokesperson Tracey Shelton said the company has already hired an outside firm to assess a variety of factors including noise, the impact on harbour-area sightlines and shadows that would be created by the new annexes.
Richardson must also seek input from First Nations groups and the City of North Vancouver.
As well, the project is subject to a port of Vancouver environmental assessment process.
Although Richardson is still in the early stages of acquiring project approvals, the expansion plan has generated a lot of interest, Shelton added.
