An emergency meeting of South Bruce Peninsula Council was held this morning ( Dec 7/20).
Rick Olmstead was among a group of concerned citizens who arrived at the meeting and was interested in the discussion pertaining to the future plans for the dunes at Sauble Beach.
According to Olmstead, the public wasn’t allowed into the meeting.
Olmstead, a concerned citizen in South Bruce Peninsula, along with The Friends of Sauble Beach organization, would like to see the dunes at Sauble Beach preserved as they now exist.
The ongoing fear for Olmstead and others is that the dunes will be contoured and a retaining wall will be constructed.
Mayor Janice Jackson states it was a ” closed session meeting ” and as per protocol no members of the public are permitted to attend.
Mayor Jackson says the overwhelming priority for council and the community is to keep Lakeshore Boulevard at Sauble Beach as safe as possible for residents and visitors and thus alterations to the area will be required as the dunes and vegetation have pushed their way towards the boulevard.
Jackson feels the issue has been blown out of proportion and stresses the sole desire is to maintain a safe and healthy area in the community.
Meanwhile, in late November, Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s Environment Office expressed concern over the work and wrote a letter to the town about it.
- Saugeen Ojibway Nation Concerned About Sauble Dune Work
- Update: SON Talks With Town On Sauble Dune Cutting
An update from SON posted late last week says they have since been in contact with the town. It adds SON’s consultation process includes undertaking a detailed review and assessment of the proposed works, including alternative solutions to address parking and safety issues without impacting the local environment.
A staff report to council November 17th says the work is approved in principle by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority was been consulted.
South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson says she may have more information for the public on the issue in the very near future.