‘Set to fight for the fight of their lives’
Wilmot landowners ‘united’ against region’s farmland acquisition proposal
Landowners in Wilmot township say they’re going to fight the region’s attempt to purchase 770 acres of prime farmland for industrial purposes.
“I wouldn’t underestimate how many people are horrified about it and the impacts it could bring to a rural township in this distant, challenging location,” said Alfred Lowrick, who spoke to regional council on Wednesday evening after property owners were told they couldn’t get on the agenda for next week’s township council meeting.
A larger group of concerned citizens met Tuesday with a “core team” that updated them on what’s proposed, said Lowrick.
“The outcome of our meeting was that the landowners were cohesive against this as a united front, and they are set to fight for the fight of their lives,” he said.
“We are deeply concerned because this action by the Region of Waterloo is incongruent with many of their environmental, sustainability and climate change initiatives, as well as inconsistent with longterm planning.”
Property owners along Bleams, Nafziger, Wilmot Town Centre and the highway received offers for $35,000-an-acre from a privatesector consultant specializing in industrial land assembly that was retained the region.
“Our landowner group was approached independently just over a week ago,” said Lowrick.
“The timelines given for acceptance for this offer was today, which is absurd given the massive disruption to our lives and the situation it creates with a goal to reach full land acquisition by August of this year.”
Landowners have been told that those who don’t reach an amicable settlement will have their land expropriated.
To say residents are distraught and devastated is an understatement, Lowrick told council.
“Many of these people are longterm farming families who located in the area due to the high quality of farmland and assurances that land like this, far from existing urban centres, would not face development pressures.
“What is worse is that it came as a surprise to all of us. No formal notifications, meetings or consultations … We were told that this land acquisition is for industrial.”
Local councillors say they’re unable to speak about the matter.
The Region of Waterloo and the Township of Wilmot said in a joint statement they are assembling a big parcel of shovel-ready land for a large investment and also confirmed they are working with higher levels of government on the land assembly.
“Thank you very much, all of you, for coming in, Alfred, for speaking,” said regional Chair Karen Redman. “We unfortunately cannot, given the confidential nature of this subject, are not in a position to comment or provide a response. However, I would suggest you address your concerns to, Mr. Matthew Chandy, our director of economic development, who’s directly responsible in this manner. Again, thank you for coming in.”
There’s always strong public support for new economic initiatives that will bring new, well-paying jobs to the community, Lowrick noted.
“The vast majority of the public will want to see farmland protected and this factory can be located on a better site closer to cities with far less negative impact,” Lowrick said.
“We look forward to working with you, to find a far better solution, as there are numerous locations in Waterloo Region where this sort of development has always been anticipated, could be far more sustainable and would be welcomed.”