The greenbelt must not be…

The greenbelt must not be converted into developed land. By converting this land into more housing we are harming our future instead of helping it. The majority of the areas marked for removal from the greenbelt are near water which is essential for maintaining a well balanced biodiversity. This area is also more sensitive to climate change and will help reduce the impact that climate change has on the surrounding communities.

In the policy proposal under strategic removals there is a section that says “Greater than 1:1 offset must be achieved to ensure overall Greenbelt expansion”. This requirement is not being met by the proposed plans. When you look at the maps to see which areas are marked for removal, you can see that they are from various areas, each containing their own unique characteristics and biodiversity. When looking at the maps for the additions, you can see that it is a single area that is going to be added. This proposed new area lacks the biodiversity and features that are being removed from the greenbelt. This makes it a less that 1:1 ratio and so this policy proposal has not met its own goals.

Instead of modifying the greenbelt, a different alternative needs to be used. Options such as creating more dense housing, building in other cities, and building outside of the greenbelt should be looked at.