Thank you for this…

Thank you for this opportunity to be heard. We moved here 2019. Our property was governed by the Hamilton and Niagara conservation authorities. At the start the process was we needed Niagara’s approval first and then Hamilton’s. The past couple of years Niagara has now informed us we no longer need their involvement. It was confusing as hamilton informed we did. That is cleared up. However Hamilton conservation is overwhelmed and lots of services provided to us have disappeared. We are now directed to go to third party contractors to help us manage the flood plane and creek and escarpment issues. Problem is Hamilton doesn’t want to get involved until after we’ve spent thousands on getting plans and paying for the conversation insights hamilton used to provide us as partners in community and conservation. Many people have given up and go about doing their own thing due to this issue. Neighbour have cut out their own creek designs, removed trees and bushes and hedges and changed the grading of their properties that have caused flooding chaos. Hamilton Development has confirmed they do not submit development plans through the Authority for these considerations. If hamilton conservation is expanded and weighed down even more the conservation areas will be overrun by developers which is what Ford wants. Our beautiful conservation parks and areas will most likely degrade due to lack of resources. If it’s going to be about parks only then do lift the authority off of property. Akin it to hydro and the city have rights to people’s property if needed. Yet it’s the homeowners expense and maintenance of the hydro and city’s property. If you own or have authority over 30’ of people property in the front and back you maintain and own it. Have to submit expenses we’ve paid over the years maintaining and actually purchasing property that we apparently don’t own because someone else has authority over it.

Last thought. I am a lover and supporter of the environment. When I go to a conservation area I pick up garbage and appreciate all the amazing work they do. I volunteer as well. I miss being partners with the conservation authority. Yet if they are becoming more government and institutionalized and overwhelmed please make sure you are responsible for your creek running through my property. you maintain it yearly and send people for bi yearly checks. You pay for the increased flooding issues on our property and the costs of waterproofing our basements now as neighbors who have been here for 50 years say they’ve never had flooding issues before. I think it’s environment and also the fact the government has not supported the conservation authorities and put the load on the homeowners. Thank you for listening