Town of South Bruce Peninsula Community-Based Strategic Plan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Submitted To: Submitted By: 2012 Rhonda Cook Chief Administrative Officer Town of South Bruce Peninsula Christina Bruce Telephone: 519-534-1400 ext. 121 (T): 905-660-1060 ext. 259 Fax: 519-534-4976 [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Submitted on: March 6, 2012 Submitted To: Submitted By: Rhonda Cook Christina Bruce, Senior Associate Chief Administrative Officer DPRA Canada Town of South Bruce Peninsula Telephone: 1.800.661.8437 ext. 259 Telephone: 519.534.1400 ext. 121 e-mail: [email protected] Fax: 519.534.4976 e-mail: [email protected] Town of South Bruce Peninsula Community-Based Strategic Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. I 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 What is a Community-Based Strategic Plan? ................................................................................ 2 1.3 Why Develop a Community-Based Strategic Plan? ....................................................................... 2 2. DEVELOPING THE PLAN ......................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Strategic Planning Process ............................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Key Project Tasks ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.2.1 Background Research ............................................................................................................ 4 2.2.2 Interviews with Staff and Council Members ......................................................................... 4 2.2.3 Community Survey ................................................................................................................ 4 2.2.4 Communications and Social Media ....................................................................................... 4 2.2.5 Community Workshops......................................................................................................... 5 2.2.6 Youth Engagement ................................................................................................................ 5 2.2.7 Community Presentation ...................................................................................................... 5 2.2.8 Council Presentations ........................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Strategic Plan Framework ............................................................................................................. 6 3. VISION ............................................................................................................................. 7 4. GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS ........................................................................................... 9 Goal 1: Supportive and Accountable Municipal Operations and Governance ........................................ 10 Goal 2: Healthy and Vibrant Communities .......................................................................................... 14 Goal 3: Sustainable Infrastructure and Built Environment .................................................................. 26 Goal 4: Stable Economy Supported By Skilled Labour Force and Employment Opportunities ............ 32 Goal 5: Protection, Promotion and Preservation of Natural Environment and Agricultural Lands .... 40 5. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ................................................................................................ 49 5.1 Creating the Detailed Work-plans to Achieve the Short-Term Actions ....................................... 49 5.2 Establishment of a Strategic Plan Steering Committee .............................................................. 54 5.3 Integration of the Strategic Plan into Day-to-Day Operations ................................................... 54 5.4 Continuing to Build Community and Council Support ................................................................. 55 5.5 Building Partnerships & Identifying Priorities ............................................................................. 55 5.6 Ensuring Continual Review and Renewal: A Living Document .................................................... 56 Town of South Bruce Peninsula Community-Based Strategic Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Creating Our Future - The Town of South Bruce Peninsula’s Community-based Strategic Plan would not have been successfully completed without the extraordinary efforts, professional attitude and energy of many individuals. Instrumental to the development of this plan were the community members and community groups that participated in the engagement activities including, attendance at the community meetings, completing the survey and providing insight and direction on the development and revision of the Plan. We would like to acknowledge the support and enthusiasm of Ms. Tobin Day’s Grade 10 Classes at Peninsula Shores District School. The students participated in a lively discussion on their desired future for the Town. We would like to thank Ms. Tobin Day and Mr. Dave Waddington for their involvement and encouraging the participation of the students. The Town staff have supported the plans development and provided insight and direction throughout the process. Their energy demonstrated through the process ensures the implementation of the plan in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Mayor and Council provided valuable direction and critique at key points in the process, including Mayor John Close and Councillors Paul McKenzie, Jim Turner, Jay Kirkland, Karen Klages, Marilyn Bowman, Janice Jackson, Matthew Standen and Chris Thomas. Town of South Bruce Peninsula Community-Based Strategic Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Town is home to a variety of wildlife and unique plant species. The protection and management of the Town`s unique natural heritage and environment is a key driver not only for growth and development, but for how natural heritage could be protected and preserved. Creating Our Future includes the necessary steps to ensure the protection of the natural resources while balancing the desire for business, tourism and recreational opportunities. There are many specific and unique needs for the communities located across the Town. Creating Our Future addresses the uniqueness of each of the communities and recognizes that although there is the need to be more connected and collaborate on initiatives, it is also important to continue to maintain the uniqueness of each of the communities and the diverging interests. Critical success factors of this planning assignment included ensuring the involvement of a representative cross section of citizens from across the Town. Creating Our Future - The Town of South Bruce Peninsula’s Community-Based Strategic Plan was developed through an open and transparent public process. Further, there was the need to ensure Town staff and council were engaged throughout the process to validate what actions were feasible within current/anticipated funding frameworks. The outcomes of the Plan include the establishment of a collective vision and actions for the next 10 years that defines ways to maximize resources and communicate priorities to all citizens. The plan includes an implementation strategy that extends to the operations and will be aligned with the goals of respective departments that deliver municipal services across the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. OUR VISION There were many different ideas discussed on the vision and ideal future for the Town. Each community had their own views and specific vision reflecting their distinct qualities and desirable attributes. The vision developed reflects the need to work together and build upon the many opportunities present across the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. To achieve the vision, the residents recognize that the Town of South Bruce is a Municipality with distinctive communities that have to come together to embrace their heritage, rural ambiance and natural environment. Building upon this and to guide Creating Our Future the following vision has been developed: Distinct Communities working together for sustainable growth and prosperity. i | P a g e Town of South Bruce Peninsula Community-Based Strategic Plan ACHIEVING OUR VISION Goal 1: Supportive and Accountable Municipal Operations and Governance An important component of Creating Our Future and developing a sustainable path forward is ensuring a supportive and accountable municipal corporation. Key to this accountability is communication with residents, community groups, neighboring municipalities and various levels of government that contribute to the well-being of the residents and the community. Many residents suggested that the Town of South Bruce Peninsula could improve communications with neighbours and partners, including First Nation communities and various levels of government to identify and collaborate on efforts that could benefit the community. The Town must strive to build an open and collaborative relationship with the First Nation groups developing projects that enhance the Town and the First Nation community. There has also been