North

Survey: Whitehorse residents want green spaces over heavy industry

An online survey done over the past few months indicates people are happy to live in Whitehorse and prefer natural spaces over industry, even if it means fewer jobs.

More than 80 per cent of those surveyed say they're better off in Whitehorse than elsewhere

Ski trails in Whitehorse are just one of the outdoor recreational possibilities that are popular with local residents, who prefer natural spaces over industry. (Jan Downing)

A survey done by the city of Whitehorse indicates most residents don't want to see heavy industry in the city.

Jordan Stackhouse, the city's coordinator for economic development, says people who responded to the online survey were staunch defenders of natural spaces.

"If I can give you an example, say there was an opportunity for a pulp factory or an oil upgrader in the middle of Whitehorse, that development simply wouldn't work," Stackhouse says.

Jordan Stackhouse says people in Whitehorse are staunch defenders of their natural spaces. (Linked In)

"Even though it would add tax dollars, and jobs and that kind of thing. It's not consistent with what people want to see."

More than 800 people responded to the survey which began in late 2014, and was designed to help the city with future economic development plans.

Two big concerns identified in the survey were the cost of living and city taxes. 

The majority of the respondents — 88 per cent — say they're happy living in Whitehorse, with 84 per cent saying they are better off living in the city than elsewhere.