Port Elgin’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan

Monday, April 11, 2011Monday, April 11, 2011

Port Elgin Village Council MeetingPort Elgin Village Council Meeting

WHY BOTHER?WHY BOTHER? Because Global Challenges will affect us

Economic CrisisEconomic CrisisAging PopulationAging PopulationEnd of Cheap OilEnd of Cheap OilClimate ChangeClimate Change

Defining SustainabilityDefining SustainabilitySustainability can be a difficult concept to explain.

““Human activities that meet the needs of the present Human activities that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”generations to meet their own needs.” Bruntland

Alternative Definitions:

Long-term wellbeing of a community, its economy and Long-term wellbeing of a community, its economy and its environment.its environment.

Enough, for all, foreverEnough, for all, forever

Pillars for SustainabilityPillars for Sustainability

Social Responsibility

Environmental Sustainability Economic

Prosperity

PPE Sustainability PrinciplesPPE Sustainability Principles1.1. Provide a long-term vision. Provide a long-term vision. 2.2. Achieve long-term economic and social security.Achieve long-term economic and social security.3.3. Value biodiversity and natural ecosystemsValue biodiversity and natural ecosystems4.4. Minimize ecological footprint.Minimize ecological footprint.5.5. Build on the characteristics of ecosystems.Build on the characteristics of ecosystems.6.6. Build on the distinctive characteristics of communities.Build on the distinctive characteristics of communities.7.7. Empower people and foster participation.Empower people and foster participation.8.8. Expand and enable cooperative networks.Expand and enable cooperative networks.9.9. Promote sustainable production and consumption.Promote sustainable production and consumption.10.10. Ensure accountability, transparency and good Ensure accountability, transparency and good

governance.governance.

The The Picture Port ElginPicture Port Elgin Process Process

PHASE 1: Community Engagement Establish multi-stakeholder steering committeeEstablish multi-stakeholder steering committee Establish baseline indicators – research and surveyEstablish baseline indicators – research and survey

PHASE 2: Visioning Focus Groups, Presentations, talksFocus Groups, Presentations, talks Community-based VisionCommunity-based Vision What is the current reality?What is the current reality?

PHASE 3: Developing the Plan Identify PrioritiesIdentify Priorities Develop Action PlanDevelop Action Plan Plan ApprovalPlan Approval

Port Elgin Vision for 2040Port Elgin Vision for 2040

Understanding where we have come from, and what we value today, we picture a future in which Port Elgin:

Is a safe, accessible, friendly and close-knit community that boasts an exceptional quality of life for all;

Supports a diverse, local business sector based on sustainable development principles;

Celebrates our maritime heritage; and Engages residents in creating a clean, healthy community

and environment.

Port Elgin - a place to call home.

Integrated Community SystemsIntegrated Community Systems

Food SystemTransportation

Education

Infrastructure

Natural Areas

Economic Dev

Recreation and Leisure

Health and Social

Municipal Operations

Built Environment

Solid WasteEnergy

Synthesis of InformationSynthesis of Information

Arrived at 6 Sustainability Themes.Arrived at 6 Sustainability Themes.

These are based on the These are based on the requirements for GMF funding as requirements for GMF funding as well as priorities identified well as priorities identified through community consultations.through community consultations.

Sustainability TopicsSustainability Topics

Under each topic we have identified:Under each topic we have identified:a)a) Objective statementObjective statementb)b) Recommended Actions (approximately 70) Recommended Actions (approximately 70)

prioritized (short, medium, long-term)prioritized (short, medium, long-term)c)c) Key Players (not just the municipality)Key Players (not just the municipality)d)d) Indicators of successIndicators of successe)e) ““What can I do?”What can I do?”

How can we meet our How can we meet our community’s energy needs in community’s energy needs in an efficient, affordable, an efficient, affordable, sustainable and reliable way, sustainable and reliable way, while managing greenhouse while managing greenhouse gas emissions and air quality?gas emissions and air quality?

Energy SystemEnergy System

Energy ActionsEnergy Actions

Milestone 1 of PCCPMilestone 1 of PCCP Education program with EOSEducation program with EOS Implement energy audit recommendationsImplement energy audit recommendations Municipal lighting, building by-lawsMunicipal lighting, building by-laws Renewable energy investment (for Renewable energy investment (for

municipality, community, businesses)municipality, community, businesses)

How do we safely move people, goods, How do we safely move people, goods, and materials to, from and within the and materials to, from and within the community in a more sustainable community in a more sustainable manner?manner?

Transportation Transportation SystemSystem

Transportation ActionsTransportation Actions

Carpooling systemCarpooling system Bike lanes where possibleBike lanes where possible Maintenance of TransCanada TrailMaintenance of TransCanada Trail Community bulletin board for ridersCommunity bulletin board for riders Work with others on regional shuttle serviceWork with others on regional shuttle service

How can we protect, How can we protect, improve and maintain improve and maintain the biodiversity and the biodiversity and well-being of the well-being of the environment?environment?

Natural Natural EnvironmentEnvironment

Natural Environment ActionsNatural Environment Actions

Anti-idlingAnti-idling Hazardous Waste disposalHazardous Waste disposal Air quality researchAir quality research Policies/by-laws on burning, Policies/by-laws on burning,

pesticides, well-testing, septic maintenancepesticides, well-testing, septic maintenance Bio-diversity inventoryBio-diversity inventory Storm water management (rain barrels)Storm water management (rain barrels) Tree health inventoryTree health inventory Perennial flower bedsPerennial flower beds

How can we develop and renew How can we develop and renew buildings, infrastructure and buildings, infrastructure and facilities that will contribute to facilities that will contribute to making our community unique, making our community unique, livable, affordable and livable, affordable and adaptable to climate change adaptable to climate change projections?projections?

Built EnvironmentBuilt Environment

Built Environment ActionsBuilt Environment Actions

Install tide gaugeInstall tide gauge Use LiDAR maps to identify vulnerable areasUse LiDAR maps to identify vulnerable areas Assess lagoon for stability and adaptation optionsAssess lagoon for stability and adaptation options Revise Municipal Plan to include coastal zone Revise Municipal Plan to include coastal zone

provisionsprovisions Create policies for better storm water Create policies for better storm water

management.management. Assess culverts for function and flowAssess culverts for function and flow Identify and map brownfield sitesIdentify and map brownfield sites

How can we reduce community How can we reduce community production of waste, and meet production of waste, and meet the need for material disposal the need for material disposal through efficient use and reuse through efficient use and reuse of the most sustainable of the most sustainable materials?materials?

Solid WasteSolid Waste

Solid Waste ActionsSolid Waste Actions

Use transparent blue bags in public binsUse transparent blue bags in public bins Provide both green and blue public binsProvide both green and blue public bins Improve rates of garbage separationImprove rates of garbage separation Illegal dumping penaltiesIllegal dumping penalties Municipal policy to use reduced packagingMunicipal policy to use reduced packaging Create a community compost for Create a community compost for

leaves and Christmas trees.leaves and Christmas trees.

How can we provide recreation and leisure How can we provide recreation and leisure activities for both residents and visitors activities for both residents and visitors that meet expectations while maintaining that meet expectations while maintaining the health of the natural environment?the health of the natural environment?

Recreation SystemRecreation System

Recreation ActionsRecreation Actions

Develop a volunteer databaseDevelop a volunteer database Set aside new green space for recreationSet aside new green space for recreation Maintain existing facilitiesMaintain existing facilities Work with community partners to share Work with community partners to share

facilitiesfacilities Build a roof for rink (PPP?)Build a roof for rink (PPP?) Develop partnership agreements Develop partnership agreements

with other municipalities or groups.with other municipalities or groups.

Major ThemesMajor Themes

1.1. Recognition of the inter-dependencies of our Recognition of the inter-dependencies of our community systems.community systems.

2.2. Education (Council, staff, citizens) is key to moving Education (Council, staff, citizens) is key to moving towards sustainability.towards sustainability.

3.3. Baseline data is critical for measuring success.Baseline data is critical for measuring success.4.4. Creating stronger linkages is necessary.Creating stronger linkages is necessary.5.5. Balance of social/culture, environmental and Balance of social/culture, environmental and

economic priorities is important.economic priorities is important.

Community Partners are EssentialCommunity Partners are Essential

Port Elgin Regional SchoolPort Elgin Regional School Non-profits PEDVACNon-profits PEDVAC Government agenciesGovernment agencies Neighbouring communitiesNeighbouring communities Local BusinessesLocal Businesses Community membersCommunity members … … and many othersand many others

Implementing Implementing Picture Port ElginPicture Port Elgin

1.1. Council endorse Council endorse Picture Port Elgin.Picture Port Elgin.2.2. Consider Short-term priorities identified in Consider Short-term priorities identified in

plan.plan.3.3. Work with community partners to move Work with community partners to move

ahead on key priorities.ahead on key priorities.4.4. Use the decision-making framework to Use the decision-making framework to

assess the sustainability of projects and assess the sustainability of projects and proposals.proposals.