GBA 2021 - Fall Flippingbook

ED ADVOCACY REPORT

I t’s been a busy summer at GBA since the last issue of UPDATE . Rolfe’s report highlights GBA advocacy work on: ≥ Reopening the border for our American and international friends and neighbours

By Rupert Kindersley, Executive Director

≥ The upcoming H2O 2021 three-part webinar series beginning October 23

≥ The highly successful Safe Quiet Lakes (SQL) survey, and ongoing work with SQL on the Decibel Project

≥ The expansion of our member services

Here are some other matters we’re addressing:

Coastal Protection Coastal protection continues to be one of our top priorities. Development pressure is relentless, and this summer has seen a significant increase in building permit applications throughout the coastal municipalities. Many applications seem to be linked to COVID isolationism, with more Georgian Bay residents spending an increasing amount of time at their cottages and working from there. Property improvements often increase environmental protections, but we must remain vigilant to ensure the integrity of our planning regulations is not compromised, as many applications seek to expand building coverage beyond what is permitted. Developments such as Oak Bay, Macey Bay and

approved by MECP does not have sufficient capacity to handle the projected sewage load. Vigilant onsite supervision will be needed to prevent serious water quality and habitat degradation. We also need to ensure that their waterfront plan does not damage the sensitive fish habitat in that bay. GBA Planning Intern Approved We are very grateful that the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) approved funding for GBA to hire an intern to work on our coastal protection projects. With an extra set of hands, we are better positioned to move forward with your local municipalities on the following: ≥ A review of official plans and planning bylaws to establish best practices recommendations

≥ Education and guidance materials for members on

Photo: Rolfe Jones

planning and development issues

Brandy’s Cove in the Township of Georgian Bay continue to cause concern. Large multi-residential developments such as Oak Bay have the potential to significantly compromise water quality and habitat. The decisions made by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) to allow Brandy’s Cove to process their marine septage onsite, despite being provided with clear evidence of the water quality hazards that are likely to result, set a very worrying precedent. Macey Bay has most of the necessary approvals to move ahead with plans to create a 180-site mobile home park on waterfront property surrounded by rare wetland and prime fish habitat. Our main concern is that the sewage system

≥ Septic inspection and maintenance guidance, along with education materials for members ≥ Input on municipal inspection programs to establish best practices recommendations ≥ Other projects, such as research on floating cottage issues and waste collection facilities Floating cottages and mooring buoys have become hot button issues over the summer and GBA is exploring ways to address these issues by working with local municipalities. Municipalities are hampered by jurisdictional constraints and

www.georgianbay.ca

GBA UPDATE Fall 2021

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