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Land Deficit?

Wednesday, 11 December 2013 at 05:30

Growth is ahead in Oxford, but will there be land available for new industry in the future?

It looks like decades of slow, but steady growth are ahead in Woodstock and Oxford County.

A new report, outlining growth projections for the next 30-years will be received by County Council Wednesday morning.  The report, prepared by Watson & Associates, takes a look at population, households, employment and employment land forecasts.

It predicts modest population growth over that time, with the strongest growth in population and households taking place over the next 7-years.  But after 2021, that is predicted to slow down, due to an aging labour force.  It indicates Woodstock's population will be just under 50,000 and the County's population at over 125,000, by the year 2041.

The report also shows growth of the local employment base (18% increase over the last 10-years) has exceeded local population growth (0.6%/yr over the last 20-years).

But County CAO Peter Crockett doesn't see it as a major concern.  "As time goes on people will realize even more what a great place it is to live, not just work, and take advantage of the ambiance of Oxford County and move here."

Perhaps of greater concern, the report also points to a potential future shortfall of "employment land" in Woodstock, and especially Ingersoll.

The report shows, based on the current supply of designated land, and the anticipated demand over the next 20-years (2013-2033), Woodstock is on pace for an employment land deficit of 27-hectares, while Ingersoll's situation is doubly dire with a projected deficit of 49-hectares.

Crockett says that's why this report is so crucial.  "The report does show we need some more lands in Woodstock and Ingersoll.  We'll work with the local municipalities to figure out where that is best to happen, and how to help them achieve the growth targets that we're all looking for."

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