(Brampton) – Regional Council has received a final report from staff on the Regional Official Plan Strategic Update (ROPSU), which commenced in 2002. The report highlights the accomplishments of the Region in four focus areas: human services planning, transportation, regional structure and the environment.

“The completion of ROPSU is a significant accomplishment given that this is the first review of the Region’s Official Plan, which was adopted by Council in 1996,” said Commissioner of Planning, Nick Tunnacliffe. “Updating our Regional Official Plan assisted Council in determining new areas for future growth, brought forward new transportation and human service policies and updated policy and mapping relating to the environment, including the Oak Ridges Moraine area.”

Throughout the process, status reports acknowledging the consultation process and highlighting next steps on ROPSU were presented to Regional Council and published in a series of newsletters. The ROPSU final report outlines the key accomplishments presented in the report including:

• updated population and employment forecasts to reflect the 2001 Census
• updated Oak Ridges Moraine policies and mapping
• new progressive human services policies
• extension of the Regional urban boundary to include northwest Brampton
• changes to the Regional transportation network and policies, including work in the areas of transportation demand management, goods movement and transportation for the disabled

“The Region of Peel’s Official Plan supports improving programs and services to ensure the continued satisfaction of Peel’s residents,” said Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Richard Paterak. “The completion of ROPSU provides us with an updated planning policy environment to guide Council’s decision-making so we can better serve residents and build a stronger, more livable Peel.”

The ROPSU process was completed as part of a collaborative effort with area municipal planning staff.

The Planning Act requires Regional Council to hold a public meeting once every five years to consider the need for an Official Plan review. The next Official Plan review is anticipated in 2007.

The Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost-effectively administered over a larger geographic area. The Region of Peel serves more than one million residents in the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the Town of Caledon.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the ROPSU final report, please contact the Region of Peel Clerk’s Department at 905-791-7800, Ext. 4502.