Georgina's 5-year game plan hones in on 'growing, evolving' town from 2023 to 2027

Georgina's top priorities include service, growth, diversification, community and the environment

Yorkregion.com
July 10, 2023
Amanda Persico

The town recently released its five-year strategic plan.

Georgina’s game plan outlines five main priorities for the town as an organization going forward to 2027.

“Georgina is a vibrant community that is growing and evolving, and with that comes new challenges and opportunities we must address collectively and with intention,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk.

The town is expected to grow to about 71,000 residents by 2051 -- up from about 48,000 in 2021.

The 2023 to 2027 strategic plan is a blueprint on what matters most to the community, she added.

More than 1,200 stakeholders provided input to help the town shape its priorities moving forward.

The town’s top five priorities include: delivering service excellence; ensuring balanced growth; diversifying the local economy; creating a vibrant, healthy and safe community; and advancing environmental sustainability.

Each strategic initiative includes a number of projects with definitive deliverables, timelines and performance measures.

The Multi-Use Recreation Complex and the new Civic Centre as well as building relationships with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and protecting Lake Simcoe are enshrined in the town’s strategic plan.

Here’s a look at each of the strategic priorities:

Delivering service excellence:

• Commit to citizen-centric service delivery;
• Support employee engagement, development and well-being;
• Ensure continued financial sustainability and accountability;
• Build a future-focused, results-driven organization; and
• Proactively manage infrastructure and assets to ensure service continuity.

Ensuring balanced growth:

• Promote and ensure responsible growth and long-term planning;
• Support a diversity of housing types in Georgina; and
• Improve physical and communications infrastructure.

Diversifying the local economy:

• Support investment attraction, job creation, business retention and expansion, including within the agricultural sector; and
• Continue to support Georgina’s tourism sector as an economic driver.
• Creating a vibrant, healthy and safe community for all:
• Ensure an ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation and strengthening relations with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation;
• Support a safe, healthy and inclusive community; and
• Continue to invest in community spaces and amenities.

Advancing environmental sustainability:

• Celebrate and respect Georgina’s natural environment, including Lake Simcoe; and
• Support Georgina’s resilience through environmental sustainability and climate mitigate and adaptation.

For more information, visit georgina.ca/StrategicPlan.