Strategic Plan - Environmental Sustainability

Implementing practices and policies to ensure the health and well-being of the environment for current and future generations. Environmental sustainability is vital for adapting to the impacts of climate change, preserving biodiversity, and improving the quality of life for residents in the community.

Objectives

Implement the Climate Change Adaptation Plan recommendations through collaboration with various community partners and updates to the City's business practice
Reduce the City's greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing energy efficiency
Foster a healthy and resilient urban forest ecosystem that contributes to biodiversity and improved air quality
Reduce the impact of wet weather events and combined sewer overflows on water bodies and ecosystems
Ensure critical infrastructure assets' long-term sustainability and functionality through targeted repair and maintenance programs

Actions

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

<25% complete | On track

Key accomplishment(s)

Approved the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2023
Grant for Climate Liaison not approved
Established an internal "Green Team" to work on climate goals and progress on 41 key benchmarks within the plan

Next milestone(s)

The internal Climate "Green Team" will share progress on climate goals
Set meetings with external stakeholders to establish collaborative opportunities to work on some of the 41 community-focused benchmarks
Include selected climate items in the 2025 Budget

Stormwater management and drainage programs

25% complete | On track

Key Accomplishment(s)

Budget approved for municipal drain, ditch inventory, and Stormwater Management Facility (SWMF) cleaning.
Council considered changes to the existing Residential Urban Drainage Assistance Policy.
Forestview SWMF was cleaned and upgraded.

Next Milestone(s)

Consultant examination of municipal drains and ditches.
Cleanout of Domenic Crescent Storm Water Management Facility (SWMF).
Phragmite removal in the FernwoodSWMF - 2025.
Cleanout of the Fernwood SWMF - 2026
Replacement of 6 rural culverts and hydraulic investigation of two high priority locations.
Storm sewer condition assessment program underway.

Infrastructure state of good repair program

Aerial view of Whirlpool Road and the installation of the pedestrian bridge over the canal.

On track

Key accomplishment(s)

Projects approved in the 2024 capital budget
Plans for 2025 and a 10-year forecast are underway
Main Street reconstruction from Willoughby to Sodom
Ferry Street reconstruction from Stanley to Ellen
Beck Road bridge rehabilitation
Resurfacing Portage Road from Thorold Stone Road to Mountain Road
Stanley Avenue Business Park watermain replacements Phases 1, 2, and 3, with Phase 4 to be completed in 2025
Drummond and Portage Road reconstruction from Thorold Stone Road to Morrison, Phase 1, with Phases 2 and 3 to be completed in 2025/2026
City-wide sanitary sewer lining program years 1, 2, and 3, with 4 to be completed in 2025

Next milestone(s)

Willoughby Drive reconstruction phase 1 (2025) from Weinbrenner to Cattell
Maple, Elm and Homewood sewer separation and road reconstruction (2025)
Whirlpool Road reconstruction from Stanley Avenue to the OPG Canal bridge (2025)

Infrastructure servicing master plan

Aerial view of bride from Chippawa area to north Niagara Falls

75% complete | On track

Key accomplishment(s)

Consulting assignment is underway
Growth forecast included in the Development Charges Background Study
Sanitary and storm models built and calibrated
PIC #1 - December 2023
PIC #2 - December 2024

Next milestone(s)

Completion and report to Council in spring 2025

Wet weather and combined sewer overflow strategy

75% complete | On track

Key accomplishment(s)

Included in the Infrastructure Servicing Master Plan

Next milestone(s)

Public Meeting #2

Strategic urban forest management plan

<25% complete | Project pending

Key accomplishment(s)

Completed a jurisdiction scan
Updated the tree inventory

Next milestone(s)

Consultant request for proposal

Review of active transportation opportunities

50% complete | On track

Key accomplishment(s)

Kickoff of Active Transportation Master Plan as part of the Transportation Master Plan
Public Open House #1
Candidate network drafted
Presented project to various committees, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Environmental Action Committee, and local cycling organizations

Next milestone(s)

Public Open House #3, where the final draft of the trails and cycling network will be presented to the public
Develop policies for maintenance, travel demand management and wayfinding
Develop phasing and costing for the network
Monitoring program and strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the project
Presentation to Council

Energy management and greenhouse gas reduction plan

<25% complete | Delayed

Key accomplishment(s)

The contractor is currently auditing our highest-use facility (Gale Centre) to identify specific opportunities to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
The conservation demand management plan is nearing completion by the consultant and will provide guidance for future capital replacement projects

Next milestone(s)

Detailed building energy audits for facilities with the greatest energy demands
Implementing projects based on the outcome of audits and in alignment with the CDM plan
Preparation of budgets for future conservation projects

Create a new woodland restoration and preservation policies

Community Garden planters at the MacBain Community Centre

25% complete | On track

Key accomplishment(s)

Policies are scoped in the new Official Plan

Next milestone(s)

Draft policy presented in phases 3 and 4 of the study (spring/summer 2025)