© Viv Lynch CC BY-NC-ND
Community supports efforts to protect wetlands and Lake Simcoe
Town of Georgina – Lake Simcoe community organizations support Ward 3 Councillor Dave Neeson’s motion to halt residential development plans on Paradise Beach – Island Grove Provincially Significant Wetland.
The Town of Georgina called a Special Meeting of Council for Thursday March 22 at 7pm to discuss a pending Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) decision regarding development on Paradise Beach – Island Grove Provincially Significant Wetland. A motion to halt these development plans is to be tabled by Councillor Neeson at the Council meeting.
On Friday March 23 at 9am, the LSRCA is planning to recommend to its Board of Directors the approval of a Section 28 permit application to allow the residential development of Maple Lake Estates (MLE) Lands. The development would include a 1,073 residential unit complex on Paradise Beach – Island Grove Provincially Significant Wetland.
The Paradise Beach – Island Grove Provincially Significant Wetland is located within the boundaries of Ward 3.
Community organizations and environmental protection groups are in full support of Councillor Neeson’s motion to protect Paradise Beach – Island Grove Provincially Significant Wetland and ensure the future health of Lake Simcoe.
Councillor Dave Neeson has represented Ward 3 since 2014.
Quotes
“Allowing a 1,073 unit subdivision development on the Paradise Beach – Island Grove property would jeopardize lands that are environmentally significant to our region, our community and the long-term health of Lake Simcoe. That decision would also demonstrate a grave lack of consideration for transparency and our residents’ right to participate in a decision making process that has a direct impact on our community.”
– Councillor Dave Neeson, Ward 3, Town of Georgina
“The motion I am tabling seeks to protect the health of the Lake Simcoe community from the unjustifiable development of environmentally important lands in my constituency. I look forward to the Georgina Council joining us in protecting the future health of Lake Simcoe and the rights of residents to participate in decisions that so profoundly affect their quality of life and the sustainability of their communities.”
– Councillor Dave Neeson, Ward 3, Town of Georgina
“Ontario Nature applauds the motion being brought forward by Councillor Dave Neeson which would ask the LSRCA Board of Directors to deny an ill-conceived permit for development that would destroy a provincially significant wetland. Historically we have drained or paved over more than 70 percent of our wetlands in southern Ontario. We now have provincial policies in place to protect the wetlands that remain, recognizing their incredible value in terms of purifying water, preventing floods, regulating climate and providing wildlife habitat. So why is a permit to destroy Paradise Beach-Island Grove provincially significant wetland even under consideration? The public interest lies in protecting wetlands. That much is clear.”
– Dr. Anne Bell, Director of Conservation and Education, Ontario Nature
“The North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance calls on the Georgina Town Council to support Councillor Neeson’s motion requesting the Conservation Authority to reject the application for permission to destroy the Paradise Beach-Island Grove Provincially Significant Wetland. We need strong leadership from the Town of Georgina to save our wetlands and forests for future generations. The time to act is now.”
– Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance
“Environmental Defence supports the motion being brought forward by Councillor Neeson and encourages the Board of Directors of Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to deny the application to pave over the provincially significant Paradise Beach – Island Grove wetland. Wetlands are essential for filtering water, managing flood water, sequestering carbon and providing habitat to support biodiversity. We cannot afford to lose more.”
– Susan Lloyd Swail, Senior Manager, Environmental Defence
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Councillor Dave Neeson
Tel: 289-716-6772
e-mail: dneeson@georgina.ca