A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board President Lloyd Snelgrove, and Mayor Melissa Blake that will lead to the creation of an Urban Development Sub-Region (UDSR), the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced today.
The commitment will give the Municipality jurisdiction over sufficient land to undertake residential, commercial and industrial development for up to 200,000 residents.
“I am pleased to say that, through the Urban Development Sub-Region, we are positioned to meet the needs and demands of Wood Buffalo’s population for decades to come,” said Mayor Melissa Blake, “Never before has Wood Buffalo had such a close, respectful relationship with the provincial government.”
The implementation of the UDSR will give the Municipality the ability to build new residential neighbourhoods, accommodate new retail shops and services, and support the growth of secondary industries to diversify the local economy. Over time, the UDSR is also expected to bring stability to the housing market, reducing the disparity between the cost of a home in Fort McMurray and the cost of a similar home in other parts of Alberta.
The government’s commitment also includes the creation of a Transportation Committee. Made up of representatives from the Province, Municipality, and industry, it will facilitate improved planning, design, financing and construction of multi-modal transportation infrastructure for the movement of people, goods and services throughout the Wood Buffalo region using roads, rail and air transport.
The creation of the Urban Development Sub-Region is expected to be completed within the next 30-60 days.
