Will Land Use Policy protect the Headwaters? : Shelburne Free Press : https://shelburnefreepress.ca

This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ]
Export date: Thu Nov 21 15:23:20 2024 / +0000 GMT

Will Land Use Policy protect the Headwaters?

NDACT seeks response at AGM

By Marni Walsh

The North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT), born from the mega quarry conflict, will continue their watch and focus on the Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review Draft at the Annual General Meeting at Horning's Mills Community Centre on the evening of July 28.

“[It has been] ten years after beginning the fight against the mega quarry,” says Karren Wallace, a former resident of Melancthon where the conflict began, and a key player in the battle against the Highland Companies. “And these lands are still not protected.”

Key legislation in the Land Use Policy is being reviewed, and that it is “the last chance to get it right for a long time.”

“NDACT's position remains firm in our task for total protection for prime food producing lands in Ontario,” says NDACT Chair Sylvia Boxem. “The Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review Draft has some encouraging language in it with regards to agricultural assessments, as well as protection of watersheds. If watersheds obtain absolute protection, then the former quarry lands, being on top of an aquifer that feeds five river systems, would be in a protected area and the mandate of NDACT would be met.”

The Review Draft is now open to public comment. To thoroughly understand the draft wording and submit an appropriate response to the government, the Taskforce has invited the Manager of the Coordinated Review process from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Victor Doyle, to give an overview of the proposed changes to the audience at the AGM.

Mulmur Councillor Janet Horner, the Dufferin representative on the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the Executive Director of the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance, “will articulate further what the draft means for Dufferin,” says Ms. Boxem.

“With this insight, we expect to be able to responsibly guide our supporters on submitting comments. This is a final opportunity to voice our concerns and to speak with a consistent message on protecting our food and water for future generations, says the Chair.

Tom Eisenhauer, President of Bonnefield Farms will answer questions on how farmland for investment purposes supports the protection of that land.

“Local residents will be interested to know how the Bonnefield investment model is working and what, if any, expectations are for the long term,” says the NDACT board.

NDACT's Annual General Meeting, free to everyone, takes place July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Community Centre, 14 Mill Street, in Horning's Mills.

For more information contact Info@NDACT.com.

Post date: 2016-07-22 10:30:08
Post date GMT: 2016-07-22 14:30:08
Post modified date: 2016-07-22 10:30:08
Post modified date GMT: 2016-07-22 14:30:08