English
Residents in South Nanaimo are calling on local authorities to address an encampment that neighbors say has occupied a rural property for nearly 20 years. The site, located off Nanaimo Lakes Road on Vancouver Island, has drawn renewed attention after drone footage revealed campers, vehicles, and large piles of debris scattered across the area.
A Hidden Problem Off the Main Road
Mike Gogo, who operates Gogo’s Christmas Tree Farm in South Nanaimo, says the encampment sits roughly four miles from his property. He told Global News the location makes it easy for authorities to overlook. “Because it is up a side road, out of sight, out of mind,” Gogo said. “With most people, apathy reigns supreme.”
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The property is not visible or accessible from the main road. However, drone video captured the scale of the problem. The footage shows a cluttered site with what appears to be significant accumulations of waste and abandoned materials.
Gogo described the encampment as a serious safety concern. “People are afraid to go up there and it is not a good scene,” he said. He also warned about the risk of fire. “It’s a terrible fire hazard,” he added.
Regional District Had an Active File Until 2019
The Regional District of Nanaimo confirmed it held an active file on the property between 2014 and 2019. However, no action has followed since then, and no new complaints appear on record.
Gogo argues that the absence of formal complaints does not mean the situation has improved. He has not yet filed an official complaint himself. Despite that, he believes the regional district should take action regardless.
Residents Want Cleanup Costs Covered by Property Owner
“They should come in there and clean it up,” Gogo said. He also made clear who he believes should bear the financial burden. “Whatever the cost is, shouldn’t come out of the public purse. It should come out of the owner of the property — that’s only fair,” he said.
The encampment on Nanaimo Lakes Road joins a broader pattern of concerns across Vancouver Island. Nearby communities, including Ladysmith, have already sought emergency assistance to deal with similar issues. As pressure grows, residents in South Nanaimo are hoping local officials will finally act on a problem that has lingered for two decades.
