The Region of Durham is currently working through the process of amending the official Regional plan to manage the growth of Durham Region. Currently, the "growth management" related policies of the plan are being studied and the official amendment is now in the public consultation phase.
The study and proposed changes are not without controversy however, as there have been several concerns raised about the proposed plan.
Town of Ajax Upset
The Town of Ajax has expressed a great deal of concern with the plan as it is now. The town has run an advertising campaign with the goal of informing residents about the proposed changes, and the possible implications.
Mayor Steve Parish, along with other Ajax councellors, have expressed great concerns about the Durham Growth plan. These concerns include fears that too much land has been set aside for employment and concern that development on the headwaters of Carruthers Creek could cause problems downstream.
Mayor Parish was quoted as saying:
"This shouldn't be called Growing Durham, this should be called Sprawling Durham"
The Town of Ajax unanimously endorsed a report which recommended changes to the Region's "Growing Durham" amendment proposal. The changes proposed by the Town of Ajax include:
- Provide land for the expected jobs to be created in Durham as per the Provincial Growth Plan
- Change the urban plan needs to plan for "realistic population forecasts"
- Revise the plan to develop 3,000 acres of agricultural land in north Pickering
- Draft a study of the headwaters of Carruthers Creek to determine possible impacts of new development
- Draft a study of the impact on agricultural lands
Environmental Impacts and Concerns
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has also expressed concerns about the "Growing Durham" plan. In a letter (PDF) dated October 28, 2009, the TRCA expresses concerns to many of the towns in the region, as well as the city of Toronto and other organizations.
Although the TRCA credits Durham Region with meeting the intensification targets of the provincial "Places to Grow" Growth plan, it also expresses concern for the environmental impacts. The TRCA would like to see an assesment of the watershed, as well as a study on the impacts for downstream residents, including possible flooding and erosion. The TRCA would also like to see the agricultural viability of the Carruthers lands be looked at in greater detail.
Part of the concern with the Growing Durham plan seems to be that prime agricultural lands will be slated for development, and that development on the Carruthers Creek watershed could cause flooding for people who live downstream.
Mayor Parish was quoted as saying:
"I think the people of Pickering should be concerned that their mayor is advocating sprawl, the loss of agricultural land, (and) the compromising of sensitive environmental lands for the benefit of no one other than a couple of development companies."
Upcoming Public Meetings
Some public meetings have already taken place, however, there are still a few meetings scheduled at this time. This includes
- Clarington: Monday, March 9
- Whitby: Wed, March 11
- Oshawa: Thurs, March 12
- Durham Region Headquarters: March 23 & 24, 2009
For more information about the time and location of meetings, see the Official notice (PDF) or check the the GreenGTA calendar of events to stay updated.
Further Information
Further information can be found here:
- Growing Durham Official Page
- Public Consultation PDF
- TRCA Letter (PDF)
- Ajax upset at Regional Growth Plan
- Ajax calling on region to reconsider final “Growing Durham” scenario
- Ajax has issues with Durham growth plan
- Town of Whitby Recommendation Report
Photo by SeRVe61
