In April of 2023, the Government of Ontario decided that the Township of Center Wellington needed to expand our Official Plan of Development. To dictate where we should build, the Government of Ontario pulled out a map and threw darts at it.

The Township responded with: No. That’s not how we make decisions on behalf of our residents. The area between the Grand and Irvine Rivers is geographically unsuitable for large scale development. 

Overdevelopment of this environmentally sensitive area will risk damaging our water resources and our tourism economy. 

The limited number of bridges to cross the rivers will create downtown traffic chaos with a large population increase in this area.

The cost of necessary infrastructure upgrades to support development in this area would outweigh the benefits when there are alternative and more appropriate areas to choose from.

In December of 2023, the Township had completed the studies and research necessary to amend our Official Plan for Development as mandated by the Ontario Government. Areas South of the Grand River have been chosen to mitigate infrastructure costs and traffic congestion in the best interest of our community, while satisfying the requirements of the Provincial Government.

Meanwhile, between April and December, developers swooped in and scooped up agricultural land, mistaking the provinces dart throwing prowess as a sure bet. Now, disappointed with the Townships Official Plan and the decision to preserve this area in the best interest of residents, these developers are appealing that decision at the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Do not let the hasty and short sighted gamble of a few developers interfere with a well researched plan for our community’s future development. The Provinces error is not our problem! Oppose interference of the OLT, sign the petition!

Check out this fantastic mapping tool to explore Wellington County!

https://sgis.wellington.ca/Maps/index.html?viewer=WellingtonCountyExternal

If you’ve already signed the petition, Thanks for your support! Please share it with our community! And keep checking my “Updates” section for more information on this complex issue.