Highlights of the activity at your Area Council Meeting:

• We had 18 Committee of Adjustment issues and 9 road closures. I won’t summary them but if you wanted to know the outcome on any of then please contact me.
• Council supported the Six Mile Lake Community Plan and turned down a request for a double boat port.
• We had a presentation on Gates of Muskoka. It is a very large development that is being built between Hwy. 400 and the main road through Port Severn (across from Christie Mill). Large restaurant, several 5 story units with stores on the ground floor and residences above. They want to start within the year.
• Baxter Snow Riders requested Municipal lands to build a new maintenance building. They have been without a facility for 3 years and have been using the Public Works Garage for groomer repairs.
• Halls Cottages on Blue Water Road in Honey Harbour received approval for dock expansion in Church Bay subject to some environmental restrictions (no boat washing, no fuelling up, no wakes on departure and only boats under 21 feet will be allowed at the top end of the facility (closest to the Town Dock).
• We have hired Lura Consulting to assist us in preparing our Strategic Plan between April and Oct. Look for upcoming public meetings.
• A very large Just Add Water Festival is planned for Port Severn/Honey Harbour/GB Island National Park on the weekend May 27-29.  It is being lead by Parks Canada in support of their 100 anniversary. The Chamber and both Townships of GB and Severn are also involved. Kids day, markets, vendors, gala, jazz and headline concerts, pancake breakfast and the opening of the new swing bridge in Port Severn + more. Plan to be there. Expected crowds of 5,000.
• Public members of the Open Space Planning Committee have been chosen and will be confirmed by Council on April 11.
• Also on April 11, the MacTier and Honey Harbour Master Plans will be presented to Council and the 2011 budget will be approved with a 2.9% increase.  Last chance to comment.
• $3.9K is in the budget or water quality work in Church Bay, HH and $40K for routine inland and GB coastal monitoring and a Remedial Action Assessment for North, South and Church Bays, HH. The programs are under review by the Ad Hoc Water Quality Committee. More funding will be required this year.

Paul M. Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
Township of Georgian Bay
705-756-1576
paul.wiancko@gmail.com