Environmental policy paper unveils potential directions for ensuring environmentally sustainable growth and climate resilience in Oxford County

Oxford County is currently seeking input from local residents and other stakeholders to help shape the development of environmental policies as part of the second phase of the Official Plan (OP) update.

Staff have released a comprehensive environmental policy paper that provides suggested directions on how the County’s environmental policies could be updated to better address planning for natural heritage systems, open spaces, natural hazards, water and soil resources and incorporate strategies for addressing a changing climate, including energy efficiency, and air quality. The document also outlines various legislative and provincial policy directions that are required to be addressed or otherwise warrant consideration as part of any proposed updates to the environmental policies in the Official Plan.

The suggested policy directions in the paper are guided, in part, by results from a 2022 community engagement survey and consultation with area municipalities. The feedback received generally expressed a strong desire to protect natural spaces, rivers, and streams and a deep appreciation for public parks and open spaces for recreation, health, and long-term public use.

The draft policy paper is currently available for review online at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup, along with a survey to collect feedback until December 21, 2023. An open house is planned for November 23, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oxford County Administration Building, 21 Reeve St

Woodstock, to provide an opportunity to learn more about the updates and to gather initial feedback from the community.

All feedback received will help inform the future development of a detailed set of draft policy changes, including related mapping, which will be released for further community engagement and discussion as the next step in the process sometime in 2024. 

The County’s Official Plan is a roadmap for growth and development, impacting everything from land use and services to climate resilience and community well-being. The Planning Act requires that municipalities revise their Official Plan on a regular basis (i.e., every five years) to ensure they conform with Provincial Plans, have regard for matters of Provincial interest, and are consistent with Provincial Policy Statements.

 More information about the County of Oxford Official Plan is available online at www.oxfordcounty.ca/officialplan.