Sprawl: the Monster that’s Consuming Simcoe County

AWARE Simcoe news release Jan 9 2012

AWARE Simcoe is hosting a meeting on sprawl and the threat it presents to the future prosperity and well-being of Simcoe County residents.

“We have assembled a panel of experts from groups at the forefront of the war on sprawl,” AWARE board member Sandy Agnew said. “We invite all residents to attend with their views on how we can best build thriving communities without despoiling our environment.”

The meeting takes place on Saturday January 21, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, at the Angus Recreation Centre, 8527 County Road 10. All are welcome.

            Panellists are:

            -John Stillich, a founding member and executive director of the Sustainable Urban Development Association.

            -David Strachan, director of the Midhurst Ratepayers Association.

            -Claire Malcolmson, president of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition and manager of water programs at Environmental Defence.

In a recent Toronto Star article on the Melanchthon mega-quarry, Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller pointed out that swathes of agricultural land are lost all over the province every year. See link

“Where are all these people who protect agricultural land from the real threat, which is the sprawl and the (big) box stores?” Miller asked.  “It’s a good question, and the answer is, here we are,” Agnew said. “We hope we will get some backup from the province on January 19.”

Since its inception in 2010, AWARE Simcoe has identified sprawl as a critical threat to water and the environment

“When we met with Provincial Development Facilitator Paula Dill in July, we stressed the importance of halting urban encroachment on our dwindling supply of farmland,” Agnew said.  See link 

“We look forward to hearing Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli’s proposed solution,” he added. “Whatever he brings forward will receive careful consideration at our meeting on January 21.”