top of page

Farmland • Water • Rural Character

Wilmot's farmland, groundwater, wetlands, streams and natural areas are connected. Decisions about development, roads, fill, drainage and growth can affect all of them.

 I have spent over 9 years doing this work—researching issues, reviewing policies, delegating to councils and working alongside residents, farmers, community groups and experts. I will work to identify threats earlier, advocate for stronger policies and bring forward changes that provide greater long-term protection for our farmland, water and rural communities.

​

Below are some of the policies or actions I will take for this specific topic

Visit my Priorities page to see all of my priorities

​

It is important for you to vote for councillors who have demonstrated their commitment to our community and who will work together to protect our environment.

​

Sign-up for my newsletter to receive updates on developments in Wilmot Township and new policies. 

Regional Megasite

The Region's land assembly has had a significant impact on Wilmot Township.  Residents deserve accountability for how this process happened, what information was kept from the public, and what happens next. 

​

I do not support the 770-acre land assembly. If elected Mayor, I will support a motion declaring Wilmot Township an unwilling host, and I will carry that position to the Region of Waterloo, the Province and the federal government.

​

Over the last 4 months I have spoken to over 1,700 people.  Our community has said clearly that it does not want this mega-site. As Mayor, I will give residents a strong voice at both Wilmot and Regional Council as well as with the Region.  (I will be releasing a blog post about this shortly)

​

I will advocate to update our Official Plan and zoning bylaw to clearer definitions and rules for very large or high-impact industrial uses—including data centres. That review should look at things such as water and energy demand, land consumption, noise, generators, traffic, environmental impacts, compatibility with surrounding farms and communities, and whether some uses should only be permitted in specific locations or require a zoning amendment before they can proceed.

​

Below are additional policies that could assist in protecting our community on this site.

​

Create a Wilmot Natural Heritage and Farmland Map

I will bring forward a proposal for a Wilmot Natural Heritage and Farmland Map that brings existing information about farmland, wetlands, woodlands, waterways, floodplains, groundwater and other important natural features together in one accessible mapping tool.

The goal is to bring existing information together and actually use it to identify vulnerable areas, gaps in natural connections, restoration opportunities and potential conflicts before major land-use and infrastructure decisions are made.

​

This map would make it easier for Wilmot Township and residents to understand:

  1. where sensitive areas and ecological connections may be at risk;

  2. where relatively small projects—such as planting trees, restoring a stream buffer or wetland, or adding a windbreak—could help reconnect larger natural systems;

  3. where a road, municipal facility, settlement expansion or other major project intersects important farmland, water or natural systems so this information can be considered when decisions are made; and

  4. where cumulative impacts are occurring. Instead of considering each development or land alteration separately, we can start seeing what is happening to the larger landscape over time.

Community Land & Water Restoration

I will bring forward a proposal for a voluntary Community Land & Water Restoration Network that brings together farmers, rural landowners, community groups, not-for-profits and businesses to protect and restore Wilmot's natural environment.

  • Wilmot would provide a space for people and organizations to find one another, share opportunities and build partnerships.

  • Through the network, participants could pool volunteers and resources, make bulk purchases, share technical expertise, collaborate on grant applications and develop larger projects that may be difficult for an individual landowner or organization to undertake alone.

  • Where appropriate, the Township could participate as a municipal partner—helping community organizations understand municipal processes, connecting them with relevant municipal or Regional contacts and programs, and sharing available information and data.

  • I will advocate for the Township to work with landowners who may be interested in gifting land, or providing access to land, for future parks, trails, natural areas and conservation. Wilmot could also connect landowners with conservation organizations and other partners when they may be better positioned to own, protect or manage the land.

  • I will advocate for watershed-based/One Water planning, recognizing that groundwater, surface water, stormwater and land-use decisions are connected.

Fill and Topsoil Bylaw

On May 27, 2024, Council directed staff to examine municipal best practices for regulating site alteration, fill and topsoil removal.

On August 26, 2024, staff released report IS-2024-26, Feasibility of a By-Law to Regulate Site Alterations, Placement of Fill and Removal of Topsoil, which identified issues associated with medium- and large-scale soil movement and the resources that would be required for a municipal program. Council directed staff to establish a Site Alteration Program, including stakeholder consultation and identification of required resources, as part of the 2025 work program.

If elected, I will bring forward a request to Council to prioritize and complete this work. Two and a half years is too long to wait for this bylaw to be completed. I want answers to some basic questions: Why has it taken this long? Was stakeholder consultation completed? Was a draft bylaw prepared? Was money included in the budget for enforcement?

​

I will advocate for the new bylaw to:

  • prevent large fill operations from converting farmland into dumping locations under the guise of “improving” the property;

  • require drainage assessments for significant projects where appropriate to protect neighbouring properties from flooding and help protect groundwater;

  • require haul-route plans for significant operations;

  • require clean-fill documentation;

  • require appropriate financial security that the Township could draw on if drainage is not restored, stormwater is redirected, roads are damaged, improper material must be removed, erosion controls fail, enforcement is required after identified infractions, or an operator abandons a project;

  • provide a simple way to report suspected violations and establish defined inspection procedures;

  • prevent major site alteration undertaken for the purpose of preparing land for a future use that has not received the necessary approvals; and

  • avoid unnecessary red tape for normal farming and residential activities.

Protect Wilmot's Groundwater and Drinking Water

Wilmot should not wait until there is a water problem to protect our water. Our community relies heavily on groundwater, including municipal drinking water and private rural wells.

Water availability, groundwater recharge and drinking-water protection need to be considered before we approve decisions that could put additional pressure on the system.

I will advocate for stronger Official Plan policies

I will advocate for stronger Official Plan policies for major development, settlement expansion and land-use changes that could significantly affect groundwater.

Major proposals should have to demonstrate that they will not create unacceptable impacts on:

  • groundwater levels and quantity;

  • drinking-water sources;

  • groundwater recharge;

  • neighbouring private wells; and

  • groundwater-dependent wetlands, streams and other natural features.

I will advocate for these policies to require consideration of relevant cumulative pressures, including:

  • existing and planned development;

  • municipal water demand;

  • significant water takings;

  • major land alteration;

  • loss or alteration of groundwater recharge; and

  • other known activities affecting the same groundwater system.

Make Water Impacts Clear Before Council Votes

I will advocate for a policy requiring staff reports to Council to contain a clear Water Impact Summary for major planning applications with significant potential groundwater impacts.

It should tell Council:

  • What water resources could be affected?
    Groundwater, recharge areas, municipal drinking-water sources, private wells, wetlands or streams.

  • What did the studies find?

  • Were cumulative impacts considered?

  • What concerns were identified?

  • What changes or mitigation are required?

  • Are there unresolved questions or uncertainties?

  • Was independent peer review completed?

  • Are there reasonable alternative locations or designs that would have significantly less impact on important groundwater recharge or drinking-water resources?

Require Changes When the Evidence Shows a Risk

When Wilmot is responsible for the planning decision, I will support requiring changes to development plans when evidence demonstrates an unacceptable risk to groundwater quality, quantity, recharge or drinking-water supplies.

I will support independent peer review of major hydrogeological studies, rather than relying only on the applicant's consultant, with the applicant paying the cost where legally permitted.

If the impacts cannot be adequately addressed, I will vote against the application where Council has the legal authority to do so. If it appears an application will receive Council approval, I will advocate for conditions requiring the applicant to demonstrate how groundwater recharge will be maintained and impacts minimized, where Council has the legal authority to impose those conditions.

Protect Nearby Private Wells

I will advocate for a policy requiring major developments to fund baseline monitoring of nearby private wells where hydrogeological evidence identifies a reasonable potential for impacts. Monitoring requirements would be based on risk and could include baseline water quality and quantity testing, follow-up monitoring and independent peer review at the applicant's expense.

When a Private Well Is Affected

When a resident experiences a significant change in their private well, they should have a clear and fair process for getting answers.

 

At Regional Council, I will advocate for a groundwater interference process that provides residents with timely investigation, access to the groundwater, pumping and monitoring information being used to assess their concern, clear written findings, and independent technical review where responsibility is disputed.

Wilmot should also help residents understand and navigate the process rather than leaving them to determine which level of government or agency is responsible on their own.

This is also why baseline well monitoring matters. Having reliable information about a well before nearby development or other significant activity occurs gives everyone better evidence if conditions later change.

Recognize the Water-Management Role of Natural Areas

I will advocate for Township planning and infrastructure policies to recognize the water-management functions of wetlands, floodplains, streams and important groundwater recharge areas when municipal decisions are made.

Push for Better Groundwater Reporting at the Region

At Regional Council, I will advocate for regular cumulative groundwater reporting that brings important information together so Council and residents can see whether groundwater conditions are stable or changing.

Reporting should include:

  • groundwater levels and trends;

  • municipal pumping;

  • actual water use;

  • remaining municipal water capacity;

  • planned growth and future demand;

  • significant private water takings;

  • well-field performance; and

  • significant changes identified through monitoring.

I will advocate for Regional staff to establish groundwater indicators and thresholds that identify when changes require further investigation or action. Monitoring should provide an early warning system, not simply document a problem after it has become serious.

For example, if monitoring identifies a sustained concerning change in groundwater levels or well-field performance, the framework could require staff to examine:

  • why it is happening;

  • whether additional monitoring is needed;

  • municipal pumping and water demand;

  • planned growth and capacity allocation;

  • conservation measures;

  • significant water takings; and

  • whether action from the Province is required.

Advocate for Provincial Action When Groundwater Is at Risk

Where Regional monitoring demonstrates that a groundwater system is under significant pressure, I will advocate that the Province consider the cumulative effect of existing and proposed water takings before approving new or expanded permits.

Where evidence demonstrates a serious risk to the sustainability of a groundwater system, I will advocate for Regional Council to formally request that the Province pause new or expanded water-taking approvals in the affected area while the concern is investigated.

Sign up for our newsletter

Stephanie will be releasing her top priorities over the next month. Join the newsletter to receive updates on this as well as on local news, events, and initiatives


Stephanie4Wilmot@gmail.com

519-242-8524

©2026 by Steph Goertz. 

Living and working on the Haldimand Tract, land promised to the Haudenosaunee people of Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. This territory is the traditional territory of the Attawandaron, Anishnaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. 
My life and work reflect the privilege of benefiting from the removal of the Indigenous peoples from their territories and I commit to using that privilege towards restitution and reconciliation

bottom of page