Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington council approves new urban boundary; proposal now goes to county, Nov. 7.
The Provincial Policy Statement should include infrastructure as part of planning for expansion.
Yes, there is a need for more residential areas. People need homes to live in and Wellington County is growing very quickly. With all these new residents coming to Centre Wellington, however, there is also a need for more infrastructure, particularly roadways, sewers, bridges, schools, hospitals and grocery stores.
The article states that the Provincial Policy Statement could result in the doubling of Centre Wellington’s population. With the influx of residents to the area, our hospital will overflow, as it is already nearing capacity. Our schools are also at capacity. New residents will increase the number of students resulting in the need for new schools.
Our town is split by the Grand River, which necessitates bridges for moving traffic and people from one part of the town to the other. More residents means more vehicles. More vehicles require more and better road systems, by default including more bridges.
The above does not mention other services such as grocery stores, sewage and water services, policing, emergency services, etc., but they are just as important.
I hope that the increase in residential areas includes an equal increase in infrastructure in order to support a growing population.
Lisa Hoeksema,
Fergus