www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 5, 2010 · 20 Your Halton Connection Feb. 2010 www.halton.ca Investment in infrastructure will support growth by Regional Chair Gary Carr Halton Region is growing as our high quality of life continues to attract new residents. With the Provincial "Places to Grow" plan, which mandates Halton's population to increase to 780,000 people and 390,000 jobs between 2021-2031, Regional Council remains committed to investing in new infrastructure to support this growth. On December 16, 2009, Halton Regional Council approved the Region's 2010 Budget and Business Plan, delivering a 0.2% tax reduction for Regional programs and services and a combined water and wastewater rate freeze for Halton residents. The 2010 budget offers residents the financial relief they need while enhancing Halton's core programs and services, and without a reduction to the Regional investment in infrastructure. The budget delivers the second largest capital infrastructure investment program in the Region's 35-year history, with an investment of $394.7 million. This funding will be used to upgrade, expand and rehabilitate Halton's infrastructure. This funding includes $109.3 million for transportation, $252.8 million for water and wastewater, and $1.5 million for waste management. Along with this investment was the infrastructure funding from Federal and Provincial Governments that was announced in June 2009. As a result of this funding, we were able to accelerate some of the large capital projects with financing provided from the infrastructure funding. Halton's capital infrastructure investment program is being used to upgrade, expand and rehabilitate Halton's infrastructure. As Halton Region continues to evolve, we need to work together to ensure that Halton remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and retire. If you have any Regional concerns or comments you would like to share, please feel free to email me at gary.carr@halton.ca. Infrastructure Funding from Federal and Provincial Governments at Work Burlington Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Funding: $103 million for the expansion and upgrade of the Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant in Burlington The upgrades and expansion at the Skyway plant will minimize the environmental impact of the wastewater released into Hamilton Harbour and will create close to 1,700 jobs. The work will also improve the waterfront experience in Halton's communities. Timeframe: 2010 2011 Oakville Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant Funding: $33.4 million for improvements to Oakville Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements to the Oakville Southwest plant will ensure that wastewater entering Lake Ontario will Timeframe: 2010 2011 Widening of Tremaine Road between Main Street and Derry Road, Milton Funding: $10.6 million towards widening of Tremaine Road, between Main Street and Derry Road, Milton The widening of Tremaine Road from Derry help support the Region's economic growth. Timeframe: 2010 2011 Meetings at Halton Region Headquarters Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Services Cte Feb. 3, 9:30 a.m. Planning & Public Works Cte Feb. 3, 1:30 p.m. Administration & Finance Cte Feb. 10, 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Meeting Feb. 15 Offices closed for Family Day Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Services Cte Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. Planning & Public Works Cte Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. Administration & Finance Cte We welcome your feedback. Contact Access Halton at accesshalton@halton.ca Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers.