Kirk Weaver / Niagara Region
NIAGARA REGION, July 28, 2010- Niagara Region has launched a new interactive website survey aimed at engaging residents on their Sustainable Niagara initiative which will see the development of a community vision for Niagara for the next 50 years. The website survey is accompanied by short videos explaining each of the draft sustainability goals. After viewing the video you will be asked to answer a few short questions. The Region will be accepting feedback until August 23, 2010.
What is sustainability? The most widely used definition states; "Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Sustainable Niagara is about acting today for a better tomorrow. It's about working to develop a community vision for Niagara that will take us to 2060 and to set long-range goals to achieve that vision.
"Community engagement is important to us," said Kirk Weaver, Director, Community and Corporate Planning for Niagara Region. "We've already held two open houses and a community forum to brainstorm ideas and encourage discussion about what it means to be sustainable; globally, in our own community, and as individuals. The website videos and survey will provide another opportunity for residents to hear about and comment on this initiative. By using these social media tools we are hoping to reach more residents, and from youth in particular. It's important that we hear more broadly from the community, as the decisions we make today will impact them tomorrow," concludes Weaver.
To view Niagara Region's Sustainable Niagara Initiative videos and complete the survey, visit http://www.niagararegion.ca.
About Niagara Region
Niagara Region serves over 427,000 people living in 12 area municipalities. Programs and services are fundamental, in one way or another, to the quality of life of our residents, and impact over 14 million visitors who come here yearly. The Region is responsible for such diverse areas as growth management and land use planning; a transportation network, including roads, bridges and traffic signals; water and wastewater treatment; waste collection and management; emergency medical services; public health; children's services, seniors programs, including long-term care homes; and Ontario Works, to name a few.