Big Plans Proposed for the Nelson Quarry in Burlington

Published August 1, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Some big plans have been proposed for the Nelson Quarry in Burlington. 

Some big plans have been proposed for the Nelson Quarry in Burlington. 

For those who may be unaware, the Nelson Aggregate Quarry in Burlington is located on No 2 Sideroad, off of Guelph Line. The quarry, according to the Nelson Aggregate website, provides Burlington, west to the Waterdown area, down through Milton, Oakville, Mississauga, as well as far east to Toronto with high-quality limestone aggregate.

However, according to a recent blog post from Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, the quarry has announced their proposed plans to expand their operations to adjacent properties they own.

The expansion, notes the blog post, would need to first be approved by the city.

“The first step is a pre-consultation, and the city requires a public meeting as part of that process,” reads the blog post. “Next, the quarry would need to submit applications, which are expected later this year.”

The proposed plans are outlined in detail on a new website recently launched by Nelson.

For more than 50 years, notes the website, the Nelson Quarry has been the city’s main source of aggregate.

“Its limestone forms the foundation of nearly every road and building in the city,” reads the website.

With that being said, Nelson is proposing to discontinue operating the quarry in about 25 years.

“During that time, we want to expand the operations to the south and to the west into what is now known as Burlington Springs Golf Course,” notes the website. “The expansion will provide low-cost, low-GHG aggregate to help Burlington and the region grow into the future.”

The proposed expansion has been broken down into four phases.

These phases are outlined according to the website below.

Phase One:

“Within three years of our plan’s approval, we will transfer 162 acres of rehabilitated land to the public,” reads the website. “With a large lake system, this area at the east end of the existing quarry already has the potential for watersports, hiking, cycling and an expansion of the Bruce Trail system.”

Phase Two:

“This nearly 200-acre parcel of land to the south of the quarry will be transferred to the public about 10 years after approval of our continued operations,” notes the website. “Its large lake could form the basis of a sandy beach that permits many watersports. It could also include significant natural woodlands and wetlands.”

Phase Three:

“Ten years after approval, we will transfer the second piece of property to the public. The 100-acre parcel is located to the west of our current operations,” states the website. “It has the potential for 5km of trails, a disk golf course and a clubhouse.”

Phase Four:

“The final piece of land in the heart of the current quarry comprises nearly 200 acres,” reads the website. “It has the potential for 10km of trails, rock climbing, tobogganing, an amphitheatre and more. Once donated, it becomes the keystone piece in Burlington’s largest park.”

So, how exactly will this proposal impact the public?

Well, according to Meed Ward’s blog post, and mentioned in the phases outlined above, Nelson is proposing to turn the quarry over to public once operations are ceased.

However, Meed Ward notes that the city will not discuss what will happen with the quarry until it has been decommissioned.

“The city and residents have fought long and hard to limit the negative impact of a quarry expansion on our rural community,” Meed Ward said in a statement. “We will not enter any discussions on an “after use” concept for the quarry until after it is decommissioned. We will certainly not compromise good planning for the promise of a park. Quarries are typically gifted to a public agency after use as there would be ongoing costs to the owner without revenue coming in.”

We will provide updates as they become available.

Photo is courtesy of the Mount Nemo Quarry Park website.

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