Highlights of the activity at your Area Council Meeting:

• We received an update from LURA Consultants who are preparing the Township Strategic Plan. Everyone should get involved in this process since it should include the wants and needs of all groups, environmental concerns, community plans, update Official Plan Review, Master Plans, economic issues, etc, etc.
• Council approved a small community garden at a test site yet to be chosen in the Township. These are being established all over the District.
• The May 27-29 Just Add Water Festival is taking on a life of its own. Volunteers are still needed. Call Ken Albrough at 705-538-2526. I will keep you updated.
• The Township Ward Boundary Review has been approved – CivicSolutions + Inc. This should see changes to all Wards before the next election. The public will be consulted.
• Terms of Reference for the Township wide Open Space Review Committee was approved. The main concern is undersized islands on GB and what can or cannot be built on them.
• We have 8 major developments in Port Severn, 2 in MacTier, 1 on the HH road (Macey Bay) and 1 on GB (Weber Island). In the Port Severn area alone, over 1,200 residential units are proposed with over 5 commercial blocks and 2 golf courses. The Oak Bay Course should open this year and a 9 hole executive course is proposed across the road in the Port Severn Heights. The Macey Bay Development is looking at an additional 144 units.
• Stewart Lake Beach Wharf replacement was awarded to White’s Construction. This replacement has been scheduled for several years.
• The inland lake and GB shoreline water quality studies for 2011 were approved by council. The inland program is under view by Hutchinson Environmental Sciences for potential improvements and consistence with the District program.
• Council of the Whole has recommended to Council that a Township wide Ad Hoc Committee on Blasting be formed. The committee would consist of 2 Councillors, one public member from GB and one from the inland community and one member from the construction industry familiar with blasting.
• Nick Hodson has requested a Compliance Audit of Mayor Braid’s Election Financial Statement. Council passed a motion to have the request sent to the District Audit Committee. Pending the audit outcome, Major Braid has relinquished some of his judicial responsibilities. Councillor Kennedy will assume these responsibilities.

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