Tsawwassen is to have a new area plan by 2010, but before then Deltans will have their say.

The Tsawwassen Area Plan Steering Committee has been reviewing the current plan, adopted by Delta Council in 1992.

Five public forums are scheduled for September and October on a variety of topics ranging from adapting to climate change and creating a vibrant town centre, to the urban-rural edge and the future of Southlands.

But rather than host typical town hall-style forums, the committee has decided to break up the public into discussion groups of 10 to 20 people.

"We found the town hall setting really isn't the proper forum to hear from everyone," said Coun. Heather King, vice-chair of the steering committee. "We find people who are not used to speaking in public and not used to standing at a podium will simply be wallflowers and sit off to the side and observe."

King, a former board of education chair, said this structure has been used before by the Delta school district.

"They're very successful because even in controversial situations they walk away and say, at least we feel heard," she said of what the district called a "World Cafe" process.

The breakout groups will be provided with discussion points and facilitated by municipal staff or a committee member, such as King, and each will have a recording secretary.

"And we want to make sure people are not trying to go for consensus—we want divergent views," added King.

Public speakers will start off the sessions on the theme of the evening. Anyone who wishes to attend a forum can also do a bit of research beforehand by looking at a digital copy of the presentation and background information provided by staff, which will be posted beforehand on the Corporation of Delta web site (www.corp.delta.bc.ca).

After the public consultation process, King said the committee will look at holding a post-information session, and is hoping to post webcasts of the forums for those who are interested but could not attend.

The public consultation schedule is as follows:

Creating a vibrant town centre—Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at South Delta Secondary (750 53 St.)

Community planning for all generations—Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Drive Elementary (5025 12 Ave.)

Adapting to a changing climate—Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Drive Elementary

Getting around/transportation—Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Pebble Hill Elementary (246 52A St.)

Urban agriculture and the urban-rural edge/future of Southlands—Saturday, Oct. 24, 1 to 5 p.m. at the South Delta Recreation Centre (1770 56 St.)

reporter@southdeltaleader.com