News Release
Residents Help Direct the Action for Future Growth in HRM
(Monday, December 8, 2003) - Mayor Peter Kelly, Chief Administrative Officer George McLellan and the Chair of HRM's Regional Planning Committee, Joe O'Brien officially launched the Regional Planning goals and objectives today.
The goals and objectives were unveiled this afternoon at the first in a series of public open houses to encourage public participation in the Regional Planning Process.
"By 2028, we anticipate there will be an additional 100,000 people living and working in HRM, creating significant new demands for all municipal services," says Mayor Kelly. "Growth will create new challenges, but it will ultimately lead to opportunities for HRM if it is anticipated, planned and effectively managed - that's the role of the Regional Plan."
The goals and objectives will direct how HRM will grow and develop over the next 25 years. They are based on extensive research and the input from the more than 1,000 HRM residents who responded to the Directing the Action workbook and participated in focus groups this Fall.
"We are very pleased with the results of the workbook and focus groups," says Joe O'Brien, Chair of HRM's Regional Planning Committee. "The responses confirm some ideas we already had for growth in the region, as well as giving us new insight into what HRM residents really want our region to look like in the future. Translating residents' responses into clear directives for the Regional Plan was a challenging and exciting task for the Committee. Together, we are shaping the future."
The goals and objectives are measurable, concrete statements that will guide the municipality in making decisions about transportation solutions; where people will live (settlement patterns); locations for economic expansion; environmental protection; and the uses of Halifax Harbour.
Residents now have the chance to view the results of their input. A series of public open houses will give citizens a chance to review and comment on the goals and objectives before they are presented to Regional Council in the New Year.
The following is a schedule of the Open Houses to be held:
| Monday, December 8 3 pm to 8 pm Keshen Goodman Library 330 Lacewood Drive Halifax |
Wednesday, December 10 3 pm to 8 pm Cole Harbour Place Forest Room Forest Hills Parkway Cole Harbour |
Thursday, December 11 3 pm to 8 pm LeBrun Centre 36 Holland Ave Bedford |
| Monday, December 15 3 pm to 8 pm Municipal HRM Office Village Plaza, 7900 Highway 7 Musquodoboit Harbour |
Wednesday, December 17 11 am to 3 pm Halifax Ferry Terminal Lower Water Street Halifax |
HRM is developing a Regional Plan to ensure the municipality grows as residents want it to; to protect the things they value most; and to ensure the region's economic success.
Residents may call 490-5857 for more information or to have a copy of the goals and objectives sent to their home or office.
Comments on the goals and objectives can be dropped off at HRM customer service centres, mailed to the Regional Planning office at P.O. Box 1749 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3A5, emailed to regplan@halifax.ca or made by fax to 490-5730 or by telephone to 490-5857.
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Cathryn Steel
Communications Officer
Regional Planning
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 490-6011
