The City of Colwood has said that it is already "on track" to meet new provincial housing targets set for them on Tuesday, July 31.

In the announcement by the provincial government on Tuesday, Colwood was set a target of 940 new units to be built over the next five years. Neighbouring municipalities were also given targets, with North Saanich at 419, and View Royal at 585.

According to the city, there are currently 586 residential units already under construction in Colwood, and more is on the way with development in areas such as Colwood Corners, Royal Bay, and The Beachlands.

However, Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi has said that he is looking beyond the housing targets to the infrastructure that will be needed to support a growing population. 

"It's important to consider that as cities like Colwood welcome new neighbours, there is a corresponding increase in demand for services and infrastructure such as roads, sewer service, parks, recreation, education and protective services," said Kobayashi.

Infrastructure improvements are already underway in Colwood, including intersection upgrades, transit improvements, new sidewalk projects, the Galloping Goose pedestrian and cycling bridge and a new waterfront walkway between the Colwood Corners area and new waterfront neighbourhoods at The Beachlands and Royal Bay.

Council has also updated its sewer master plan to help guide expansion of the sewer system and has said that it will continue to monitor how planned developments might impact traffic in the city.

With a likely increase in demand for education services, land has been secured in Colwood's Royal Bay neighbourhood for the Sooke School District to construct a new elementary school, however, the province has not yet approved funding for the school. 

"Colwood looks forward to working with the province on funding opportunities beyond recent contributions such as the Growing Communities Fund to implement required infrastructure upgrades including transportation improvements, sewer expansion and new schools to support an already rapidly growing population," added Kobayashi.

Since September 2023, Colwood, North Saanich, View Royal, the City of Victoria, Central Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich and Sidney, have all been given housing targets. The province's Housing Supply Act calls for 60,000 units to be built in the next five years across B.C.

So far, the Greater Victoria area has a total target of 13,930 units.