Representatives from across Grey County joined a delegation pleading for additional funding for critical municipal infrastructure at the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) Conference in Toronto. Elected Officials and Senior Staff members joined forces to share concerns from Georgian Bluffs, Southgate, West Grey, Owen Sound, and Hanover with the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The group stressed the financial capacity needed to maintain and upgrade aging roads, bridges, and water systems as they reach the end of their lifecycle. Grey County municipal representatives highlighted the struggles they face with their aging infrastructure, and the need for additional funding to support maintenance, repairs, and replacements.
Georgian Bluffs pointed out there are bridges in the community nearing 100 years old that need repairs or replacement, along with 40-year-old water systems due for significant upgrades.
"Our municipalities are facing overwhelming costs related to aging infrastructure. We have two closed bridges and water pipes that need to be upgraded at a cost of $11 million to the Township," said Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton. "Uniting with our neighbours to present our shared perspective to the minister strengthens our call for provincial support in managing essential infrastructure for all our communities. We hope today's meeting will highlight the struggles we face with aging infrastructure, and the high costs associated with maintaining it."
The City of Owen Sound reported an annual deficit of more than $22 million to maintain existing service levels, while growth in both Hanover and Southgate has escalated the need for substantial wastewater work and increased capacity.
“Municipalities are required to provide expensive water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure that are needed for our communities to thrive," Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy explained. "We support the request to the Ontario Government for increased, fair, and consistent provincial funding to help pay for these services.”
“As a joint delegation, we emphasize the critical need for provincial support to complete essential improvements for key infrastructure in our respective municipalities that is necessary for our communities to grow and progress," added Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson."
Without provincial support, municipalities rely solely on property taxes to fund repairs and replacements.
“Southgate is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the County of Grey, and the infrastructure needs relating to such rapid growth is staggering, along with the issue of aging infrastructure," Southgate Mayor Brian Milne stated. "Simply standing up houses does not, in itself, create a community. Schools, medical facilities, recreation, roads, emergency response and many other services help create a complete place to call home. We need help to provide the infrastructure support required for all of these community needs.”
“The Municipality of West Grey is advocating for additional funding to support ongoing infrastructure capacity. Collaborating with neighbouring municipalities enhances the effectiveness of our message and emphasizes the importance we place on infrastructure projects,' stressed West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles. "These projects are essential for the growth of our expanding community by increasing water system capacity to support housing development.”
The Ontario Good Roads Association, established in 1894, supports municipalities in managing roads and related infrastructure.
Delegation attendees pictured from left to right: Georgian Bluffs CAO Niall Lobley, West Grey Director of Public Works Geoff Aitken, Hanover Deputy Mayor Warren Dickert, West Grey Councillor Joyce Nuhn, Hanover Director of Public Works Ron Cooper, Parliamentary Assistant Sandhu, Grey County Warden/Southgate Mayor Brian Milne, Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton, Southgate Manager of Public Works Jim Ellis.