Plans, Reports and Studies | Municipality of Greenstone

The Municipality of Greenstone has plans, reports and studies in place to work towards a vibrant and growing community.

MUNICIPAL BEAUTIFICATION STRATEGY

The Municipality of Greenstone engaged a third-party consultant to develop a strategic blueprint for beautification for the Municipality of Greenstone. The Municipal Beautification Strategy addresses local needs and circumstances, while taking into consideration the Municipality’s ability to fund and support initiatives determined by its Council. The report identifies significant findings in describing the current state of the municipality landscape and, within recommendations its potential revitalized and beautified future state.

MUNICIPAL HOUSING STRATEGY

The Municipality of Greenstone engaged a third-party consultant to perform a comprehensive review and provide recommendations for the Municipality to move forward with attainable and realistic solutions for housing within the Municipality of Greenstone. The Municipal Housing Strategy has been developed from a community perspective and highlights key findings and recommendations, as well as the Municipal role in attainable housing.

ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN

Our Asset Management Plan and Strategic Asset Management Policy outline how we plan to handle aging infrastructure through maintenance and replacement. Asset infrastructure includes roads, bridges, sidewalks, lights and improved water and sewer systems.

CORPORATE STRATEGIC PLAN

The Municipality of Greenstone's Corporate Strategic Plan identifies key priorities for the municipality over the next five years.

MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY PLAN

Our Municipal Emergency Plan helps protect our community's safety from the effects of a natural, technological, or human-caused emergency. If Council declares an emergency, all Greenstone staff, residents, and emergency services will follow the plan for a coordinated response.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN AN EMERGENCY

Emergency preparedness begins with you. Learn how you can prepare for any type of emergency. By being ready for emergencies, you help to reduce the impact of a crisis in our community.

Municipal Emergency Management Program

The Municipal Emergency Management Program strives to improve our level of preparedness. Our Municipal Emergency Plan, adopted by Council, outlines our detailed plan to keep everyone safe. Our initiatives to support the emergency plan include:

Emergency exercises
Hazard identification and support plans
Public education and awareness
Training programs

Emergency Operations Control Group

In the event of an emergency, our Emergency Operations Control Group will meet to coordinate an emergency response to keep our community safe.

Community Emergency Management Coordinator

The Community Emergency Management Coordinator manages our emergency preparedness initiatives and ensures our plan is up to date.

OFFICIAL PLAN

The Official Plan outlines land use planning in the Municipality of Greenstone. Review our Official Plan before you take on a new building or development project.

WATER AND WASTEWATER FINANCIAL PLANS

The Municipality of Greenstone has developed a Water and Wastewater Financial Plan that outlines our financial position and plans to keep our water infrastructure up to date.

WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND REPORTING

Major development projects are subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. We often undertake public consultation with the help of a project consultant who assists us through the stages of the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The EA process is an important part of planning future developments. With respect to waste management in Greenstone, an EA may be required for changes to existing landfill sites or the development of a new site. If we are working on a project, a notice will be advertised on the Municipal website and other media streams required by the Act.

Planning & Consultation for a New Landfill Site

In 2021 the Municipality retained a landfill engineering consultant to assist the Municipality with the Environmental Assessment required for the development of new regional landfill site. Scroll down to "Greenstone Waste Management Environmental Assessment" for more information on public engagement for this project.

Closure of the Geraldton Landfill

In order to comply with Environmental Compliance Approval A7004401 authorizing the operation of the Geraldton Waste Disposal Site (Landfill), the site will be permanently closed effective December 31, 2021. The Municipality will continue with activities required by the Site Closure Plan approved by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Beardmore Landfill Expansion Project

Environmental Monitoring Reports for all Municipal Landfills

GREENSTONE WASTE MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The Municipality of Greenstone is conducting an Environmental Assessment process. During this process, engineers and environmental scientists will study ways to reduce and manage waste within the region of Greenstone. The goal is to create a long-term plan to manage and dispose of the Municipality of Greenstone's solid waste.

Three rounds of engagement are planned with the communities of Greenstone, Indigenous groups, and organizations in the area. To learn more about the public engagement process, timeline, and ways to get involved, please click on the tabs below.

KGS Group and Scatliff + Miller + Murray have been retained to assist the Municipality of Greenstone in the development of the plan.

The EA process is split into three rounds of engagement that aligns with key engineering milestones.

Round 1: Gather feedback on new ways to reduce and manage waste (2022-2024)
Round 2: Review options & determine a waste management system (current stage)
Round 3: Identification of the preferred waste management system and site (2026)

Project Contact:

Tony Gallo, KGS Group

GreenstoneEA@kgsgroup.com

PROJECT UPDATES

Upcoming/Ongoing Events

Ongoing

Continued community engagement

Past EVents

2024

OCTOBER 2024

Round 2 Workshop in Geraldton for Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek
Round 2 Community Event at Ginoogaming First Nation
Round 2 Community Event at Aroland First Nation
Indigenous Cultural Values Mapping session conducted by Matawa First Nations with Long Lake #58 First Nation

Past EVents

september

Round 2 Engagement Booth at Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek Annual General Meeting

AUGUST

Indigenous Cultural Values Mapping session conducted by Matawa First Nations with Ginoogaming First Nation

JULY

Round 2 Public Online Event
Round 2 Website Online Survey (closed on July 31, 2024)
Indigenous Cultural Values Mapping sessions conducted by Matawa First Nations with Aroland First Nation

JUNE

Round 2 Online Event for First Nations
Round 2 In-Community Event at Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek

May

Round 2 Public Open Houses at Geraldton, Longlac, Nakina and Beardmore

FEBRUARY-APRIL

Indigenous Cultural Values Mapping sessions conducted by Nokiiwin Tribal Council with Animbigoo Zaagi'ign Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek and Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
Indigenous Cultural Values Mapping sessions conducted by Métis Nation of Ontario
Indigenous Cultural Values Mapping sessions conducted byRed Sky Métis Independent Nation

January

Round 1 Red Sky Métis Independent Nation Leadership Engagement
Métis Nation of Ontario Leadership Update

2023

August-September

Round 1 Métis Nation of Ontario Leadership Meeting, Geraldton Open House Event and Thunder Bay Open House Event

July

Project update to Greenstone Waste Management Steering Committee

April-June

Round 1 In-Community First Nation Leadership Meetings and Community Events at Ginoogaming First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation, Aroland First Nation, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, and Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek

March

Round 1 Thunder Bay Open House for First Nations

February

Project update to Greenstone Waste Management Steering Committee

2022

November

Round 1 Public Open Houses at Geraldton, Longlac, Nakina and Beardmore

August 26

Public Notice of Commencement

2021

KGS Group and Scatliff + Miller + Murrray join the project

2014

Greenstone Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Plan Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference Approved

PROJECT BACKGROUND

There are four municipal operated landfills in the communities of Geraldton, Longlac, Nakina, and Beardmore.

The life expectancies of the three current facilities are based on the current volumes of waste.

Current Capacity

Geraldton landfill was closed in 2021.
Longlac landfill has an estimated 5 years of capacity remaining.
Beardmore landfill was near capacity but received an expansion in 2023 and now has approximately 37 years of capacity remaining.
The Nakina facilities has approximately 50 years of capacity remaining.

WHY IS THIS PROJECT NEEDED?

A long-term solution is need for the management of solid waste for the region. Development of this solution requires initiating an Environmental Assessment study to evaluate alternatives for waste management, identification of a preferred system, and selection of a preferred site.

The Environmental Assessment process is guided by the Municipality of Greenstone Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Plan Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference was completed in 2013 and approved by Ministry of Environment in 2014/15 . It acts as a road map for the current process including steps required in the study and consultation process.

ROUND 2 ENGAGEMENT (ONGOING)

The primary goal of Round 2 is to introduce the Waste Management System (WMS) and site selection process to the public in the four sub-areas and surrounding Indigenous communities.

Round 2 engagement was initiated in February 2024 after the completion of Round 1 engagement. Cultural Values Mapping with Indigenous communities is happening simultaneously.

ROUND 2 OBJECTIVES

Explore and discuss types of waste management systems and evaluation criteria.
Collect feedback on preferred waste management systems.
Present site exclusion criteria and potential sites for the future waste management system.
Collect feedback potential on sites for the future waste management system.
Present site evaluation and final selection criteria.

To learn more about Round 2 engagement content please review the following documents:

Unable to attend Round 2 in-person or virtual events? Learn more about the project by viewing the online presentation video.

Upcoming Events:

Long Lake #58 First Nation Community Event
- Upcoming in Summer 2025

PAST ROUND 2 PUBLIC EVENTS

Public Online Event
- July 11, 2024 | 3:00 to 7:00 PM | Longlac Sportsplex
Longlac Open House
- May 7, 2024 | 3:00 TO 7:00 PM | Longlac Sportsplex
Nakina Open House
- May 8, 2024 | 3:00 TO 7:00 PM | Nakina Community Centre
Geraldton Open House
- May 9, 2024 | 3:00 TO 7:00 PM | Geraldton Community Centre
Beardmore Open House
- May 10, 2024 | 3:00 TO 7:00 PM | Beardmore Community Centre

PAST ROUND 2 INDIGENOUS EVENTS

Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek (AZA) Geraldton Workshop
- October 8, 2024 | 2:00 to 4:00 PM | Geraldton Community Centre
Ginoogaming First Nation Community Event
- October 9, 2024 | 3:00 to 7:00 PM | Ginoogaming First Nation Training Center
Aroland First Nation Community Event
- October 10, 2024 | 3:00 to 7:00 PM | Johnny Therriault School Gym

Online First Nations Event (conducted in coordination with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and Matawa First Nations)
- June 25, 2024 | 6:00 to 7:30 PM | Online Event
In-person First Nations Events (conducted in coordination with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and Matawa First Nations)
- Biinjitwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Community Event
  - June 4, 2024 | 1:00 to 4:00 PM | Community Hall
- Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek Annual General Meeting
  - September 7, 2024 | 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM | Engagement Booth

Métis Nation of Ontario and Red Sky Métis Independent Nation chose to attend the Public Open Houses instead of having separate events.

CULTURAL VALUES MAPPING WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES (ONGOING)

Cultural Values Mapping with Indigenous communities is a critical step that will inform the site selection criteria for the New Waste Management System (WMS) in Round 3. It was initiated at the end of Round 1 engagement and will be completed during Round 2 engagement.

Cultural Values Mapping is being conducted independently by community leadership or the Tribal Council associated with the First Nation with support from the project team as needed. The process developed aims to protect access and ownership of Indigenous cultural values data.

Communities involved in this process include:

Nokiiwin Tribal Council
- Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek
- Biinjitwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek
- Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
Matawa First Nations
- Aroland First Nation
- Ginoogaming First Nation
- Long Lake #58 First Nation
Métis Nation of Ontario
Red Sky Métis Independent Nation

ROUND 1 ENGAGEMENT (COMPLETED)

The primary goal of Round 1 was to introduce the project and EA process and engage the public in the four sub-areas and surrounding Indigenous communities on an overall vision for the new system and gather input on potential opportunities and challenges for the new Waste Management System (WMS).

Round 1 engagement was initiated after the distribution of the Notice of Commencement in September 2022 and was completed in January 2024. In addition, Cultural Values Mapping was introduced to all Indigenous communities and initiated in Round 1.

ROUND 1 OBJECTIVES

Explore and discuss types of waste management operations and systems.
Explore waste diversion strategies.
Explore local vs regional services/operations.
Gather information of existing systems, wants, and needs.
Identify priorities on different opportunities and criteria on the evaluation of potential short-listed sites as well as local/regional types of services.
Introduce the need for value mapping in future rounds of engagement.

To learn more about Round 1 engagement content please review the following documents:

ROUND 1 PUBLIC EVENTS

Longlac – November 7 Longlac Sportsplex 200 Picnic Point Road 3-7pm
Nakina – November 8 Nakina Community Centre 206 North Ave 3-7pm
Geraldton - November 9 Geraldton Community Centre 200 Wardrope Ave 3-7 pm
Beardmore – November 10 100 Main St 3-7 pm

ROUND 1 INDIGENOUS EVENTS

First Nations (conducted in coordination with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and Matawa First Nations)
- Thunder Bay First Nations Open House Event
  - March 20, 2023 | 4:00 to 8:00 pm | Victoria Inn, Thunder Bay
- Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek (AZA) Engagement
  - Conducted by AZA leadership
- Ginoogaming First Nation Leadership and Community Event
  - April 19, 2023 | 5:00 to 8:00 PM | Ginoogaming First Nation Training Centre
- Long Lake 58 First Nation Leadership and Community Event
  - April 20, 2023 | 5:00 to 8:00 PM | Long Lake 58 First Nation Community Centre
- Aroland First Nation Leadership and Community Event
  - April 26, 2023 | 5:00 to 8:00 PM | Johnny Therriault School Gym
- Biinjitwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Leadership and Community Event
  - April 27, 2023 | 4:30 to 7:00 PM | Community Hall
- Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek Community Meeting Booth
  - June 24, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Prince Arthur Hotel, Thunder Bay
Métis Nations
- Métis Nation of Ontario Leadership Meeting
  - August 1, 2023 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM | Online Meeting
- Métis Nation of Ontario Geraldton Community Open House
  - September 26, 2023 | 3:00 to 7:00 PM | Geraldton Community Centre
- Métis Nation of Ontario Thunder Bay Community Open House
  - September 28, 2023 | 4:00 to 8:00 PM | Oliver Road Community Center, Thunder Bay
- Red Sky Métis Independent Nation Leadership Meeting
  - January 26, 2024 | 10:00 to 11:00 AM | Online Meeting

DOCUMENTS AND LINKS

SENIORS' SERVICES REVIEW

The Municipality of Greenstone provides a variety of services to support seniors living across Greenstone, including the communities of Beardmore, Geraldton, Longlac, Nakina and the surrounding rural areas. In March 2020, the Municipality commissioned a consultant to perform a complete Seniors' Services Review.