Council Takes Bold Action to Protect Award-Winning Green Space

Council Takes Bold Action to Protect Award-Winning Green Space While Continuing to Build More Homes Faster

“The Town of Wasaga Beach continues to welcome innovative, mixed-use and higher-density development projects that improve the financial and environmental health of our community,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “It’s rare that we find ourselves in this position, but make no mistake: this Council will do what is needed to protect the integrity of our water and wastewater infrastructure, and green spaces – and the character, health and wellness of our fast-growing community.” – Mayor Brian Smith

WASAGA BEACH – Wasaga Beach Council has taken bold action to protect an award-winning green space in the community where a quarry once stood.

On April 24, the seven-member Council that represents the citizens of the Town of Wasaga Beach – one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario and Canada, which is also the #LongestFreshwaterBeachintheWorld – voted unanimously to reject a water and wastewater servicing scheme for a development proposed for the site of what was previously the Wasaga Sands Golf Course. 

As a result, the Town has declared it will not enter into any development agreements or accept any of the public works proposed by the developer, such as roads, water and wastewater.

Council’s decision is focused on protecting the integrity of the Town’s current and future water and wastewater infrastructure, and long-term planning.

Concerns raised by Council include:

• Preserving and protecting an award-winning, environmentally sensitive residential community, established on a remediated quarry
• Preventing flooding of private and public property
• Protecting two sensitive groundwater aquifers below the proposed development
• Maintaining the health and safety of existing residents relying on private well water
• Compromising the Town’s existing infrastructure
• Assuming responsibility for substandard infrastructure  

The Town continues to welcome, encourage and support mixed-use and higher-density development projects that will build more homes faster while strengthening the financial and environmental health of the Wasaga Beach community today, and for generations to come.

Additional resources

View the Town’s active development map.
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