Growth will impact water quality, says county councillor
By Richard Blanchard

The probable inability of the Nottawasaga River to carry sewage from new development, which is proposed under the new Simcoe County Growth Management Study, saw three members of county council vote against adoption of the draft.

Collingwood mayor Chris Carrier told county councillors that the study failed to analyse the impact of increased development on water quality throughout the entire Nottawasaga River watershed.

"The study is quiet on the water and sewage capacity. As a former chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, I am quite aware of the low flow of the river during July and August," he said.

Carrier called for a moratorium on intensification.

"I see that we are looking at unsustainable sprawl," he said. "Barrie, Collingwood, Midland and Orillia, these are places where people are most likely to live and work. Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil and New Tecumseth (residents) are most likely to commute. We're supporting unsustainable sprawl in the rural townships."

Other concerns were raised by councillors from North Simcoe about the move towards designating lands along Highway 400 for future industrial and commercial development.

Penetanguishene mayor Anita Dubeau said that her community already has significant employment areas designated for industrial and commercial development.

"Fourteen per cent of the 100 largest corporations in the county are located in the Midland and Penetanguishene area," she said, noting that should encourage future industrial and commercial development.

She also expressed concerns about the study's recommendation that the growth should continue to be encouraged in rural areas, which presently lack communal water and sewage capacity.

Bradford mayor Doug White spoke in support of the designation of the 400 corridor for future industrial and commercial development.

"It does make sense to designate nodes along the 400. Employment opportunities are needed in the county to achieve a complete county where residents can work near where they live," he said. "Highway 400 is the logical area for such growth because of its closeness to the Greater Toronto Area."

County councillors voted by a margin of 100 votes to 12 to adopt the draft study report.

The last of three public meetings was held at the Nottawasaga Inn yesterday, to gauge public support to the report.