Changes Coming to Muskoka’s Waste Fees – March 2, 2023

On February 28, 2023, the District of Muskoka Council approved staff recommendations to help families meet new garbage limits in response to changes in the waste program. The changes aim to reduce garbage and extend the lifespan of Muskoka’s only remaining landfill. However, the district is struggling to meet diversion goals, with only 34% of waste being diverted. In contrast, other top municipalities in the province recycle, reduce, and divert over 60% of their waste.

Effective March 1, tipping fees for garbage and non-divertible material at District waste facilities will increase. On the other hand, District facilities will still accept blue box recycling and green bin organics at no cost. Residents can now deliver one clear bag of diapers and incontinence products free of charge every week to any transfer station. They can also purchase bag tags at a discounted price of five tags for $35 when bought in bulk from any transfer station. Furthermore, residents can set out one extra garbage bag without a bag tag on their regular collection day the week of Victoria Day, Canada Day, the Civic holiday, and Labour Day long weekends.

According to James Steele, the Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works, the District of Muskoka is dedicated to reducing garbage and extending the life of its last landfill while also assisting families to reach their diversion target. These changes will help residents divert more materials to their blue box and green bin programs.

To learn more about the updated rates and acceptable materials in the blue box or green bin programs, visit muskoka recycles or download the Muskoka Recycles app and use the waste wizard. Finally, Muskoka’s Roadmap to 60% Waste Diversion offers new and bold initiatives to create a better waste management system. By working together, positive change can be brought to Muskoka’s environment.

Read the official announcement at No Time To Waste – Working Together

Application for Consent and Zoning By-Law Amendment – Sandwood Road – January 20, 2023 – Planning Committee Meeting Update

An update on the Planning Committee Meeting on January 20th regarding the application to sever a back lot and rezone the back lots. Thanks to all of the concerned Three Mile Lake property owners who voiced their concerns on this application. Your voices were heard, loud and clear, particularly with the 4 new Township councillors who are new members of the Planning Committee. They decided to defer a decision and to go back to the District of Muskoka (which is responsible for water quality, not the Township) for an explanation as to why the District wasn’t opposed to this application, even though the District lists Three Mile as an endangered lake.

This application will be submitted again and discussed at a future Planning Committee meeting. We’ll keep you posted.

John Roberts, President Three Mile Lake Association

Beatrice Townline Road Closed at Falkenburg Road to 1738 Beatrice Townline Road Due to Flooding – January 6, 2023

MUSKOKA LAKES, ON – As of 2:30 pm on Friday January 6, 2023, Beatrice Townline Road from Falkenburg Road (Muskoka Road 47) to 1738 Beatrice Townline Road is closed due to flooding. There are spots through this portion of the road where water levels would be considered unsafe for vehicles.

We thank residents for their patience during this time, and will provide an update when the road has reopened and water levels have receded.

Website Link

For more information, please contact:

Ken Becking

Director of Public Works

kbecking@muskokalakes.ca

(705) 765-3156 Ext. 250

www.muskokalakes.ca

Blue-Green Algae Public Notice Lifted – December 14, 2022

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) would like to inform residents and visitors to the Township of Muskoka Lakes that additional laboratory analysis confirms the blue-green algae bloom impacting Three Mile Lake and Hammell’s Bay, Township of Muskoka Lakes has dissipated.

Please be advised that the public health notice regarding precautions for blue-green algae issued on August 29, 2022, and updated on September 2, 2022, by the SMDHU for Three Mile Lake, Township of Muskoka Lakes has been lifted.

All Candidates Meeting September 24th 2022 – Port Carling Community Centre

The Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association is sponsoring an All Candidates Meeting on Saturday, September 24th, 2022 starting at 10:00 AM sharp in the Port Carling Community Centre.

This is your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates for all positions so that you can come to an informed opinion when you exercise your vote.

• You will have an opportunity to meet with the candidates before the meetings – starting at 9:30 AM.
• You will then hear from each of the candidates (in the formal meeting)
• Finally, there will be a question period where candidates will respond to questions that you have had an opportunity to submit.
• Your written questions will be accepted until 10:30 AM.

The meeting will finish promptly at noon, but candidates will be available to you informally after the meeting.

Additionally, the Ratepayers have previously posed written questions to all the candidates, and their written responses to these are being consolidated into a document that will be available to all members in good standing of the Muskoka Ratepayers a day or so after the meeting.

As always, the Ratepayers believe that an informed electorate is key, and that it is up to each individual to make their own decision on October 24th, 2022.

We hope to see you all there, and let your friends and family know – all are welcome.

All Candidates Meeting

Saturday, September 24th at 10 am

Port Carling Community Centre

3 Bailey Street
Port Carling, Ontario P0B 1J0 Canada

Google Map

More Information – click here 

Muskoka Votes on October 24, 2022

On October 24th you have the opportunity to elect the next Township of  Muskoka Lakes Council. We urge you to vote!

You can vote for the Mayor and for the Ward B Councillors. We have included the recommendations from the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA Endorsement), but please do your own due diligence to determine your own choice of candidates.

You can find more information about the election and register to vote here: Vote 4 Muskoka

MLA Election Flyer 2022

Parks and Recreation Masterplan, July 19, 2022

On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, Council adopted the Parks and Trails Masterplan.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will be used to assist in determining recreation, parks, trails and facilities requirements for the Township that, in conjunction with the Township’s Strategic Plan, will inform future investment and developments.

The Plan will allow the Township to guide and manage the direction of parks, open spaces, recreation and leisure services, programs, events, facilities and amenities.

Please visit the Engage Page to read the approved Parks and Recreation Masterplan.

Lake Protection Workbook July 5, 2022

The Lake Protection Workbook was updated, and a second printing has happened! Now is the time for you to order your copies for your family and waterfront or cottage association.

The “Lake Protection Workbook: A Self-Assessment Tool for Shoreline Property Owners” is an educational tool that helps property owners make improvements to their shorelines and provides information about lake protection. It includes a series of questions that will help you assess how well you are protecting your property and your lakefront through everyday actions. The Workbook also provides practical information, recommendations, and space for recording improvements to assist you in your lake protection efforts.

This Workbook was produced by the Lake Links Planning Committee with collaboration and review from many organizations including Cataraqui Conservation, Friends of the Tay Watershed Association, Lake Networking Group, Lanark County Stewardship Council, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Watersheds Canada.

While you can always download an online copy for free, you can also now order a physical copy for $2.00+shipping by emailing Monica at info@watersheds.ca. Payment can be sent by e-transfer or by cheque and will be arranged by email.  Copies are now ready to ship! If you have any questions, please email Monica at info@watersheds.ca

Already using your Lake Protection Workbook? Make a positive change in your community and be entered in a draw for a $100 gift card to your local native plant nursery! Take a photo of you using the Lake Protection Workbook and taking local action and post it on social media using #LakeBookChallenge. You can also email a photo and caption to info@watersheds.ca. This contest ends September 30, 2022, and is open to Canadian residents.

Published by Watersheds Canada, July 5, 2022

Township of Muskoka Lakes Announces Draft 3 of Official Plan – June 13, 2022

The Township is pleased to announce that staff and the consulting team will be bringing a report and Draft 3 of the Official Plan to a series of Special Planning Committee meetings commencing on June 20, 2022 at 9 am. This updated draft is based on all of the feedback received from the community and agencies from last fall’s Open Houses and online survey. Planning Committee will give consideration to further revisions to the draft of the Official Plan as well as direction to circulate the draft prior to hosting a statutory Open House and Public Meeting later this summer, where more opportunities for public feedback will be available.

The report and draft Official Plan are now posted on the Engage Muskoka Lakes webpage as well as on the Government

No Time To Waste – Recycle Right – Muskoka’s Roadmap to 60% Waste Diversion – June 9, 2022

June 9, 2022 (Muskoka, ON) – Recycling right makes a difference. When we recycle, it benefits the environment in several ways – material and natural resources are preserved, energy is saved during the manufacturing process, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced that contribute to climate change, and less waste is sent to our only landfill.

At the same time, recycling markets have become much more strict about the quality of the recycling materials they accept – it’s time to throw out bad recycling habits and recycle right.

It’s not enough to just recycle; it’s important to recycle right.

Our recyclables in Muskoka are now going to a state-of-the-art facility that can effectively sort mixed recycling. We are adapting to the ever-changing material types manufacturers are putting into the marketplace to make sure we are recycling as much as possible to reach our goal of 60% waste diversion.

We are committed to providing consistent, weekly service this summer – collecting mixed recycling will offer more efficient collections for crews who typically run two recycling routes to collect both streams (paper products and containers.)

What is changing?

Our community can now mix acceptable recyclables (paper products and containers) together in one box, bin, or clear bag. Residents will see a single truck collecting recyclables, and collection will take place whether residents have separated recyclables or mixed them together.

Sorting, however, is still critical – in that, you need to be absolutely sure you are only recycling the acceptable items in our program.

We need your help.

Tossing items that are not acceptable into your recycling can do great harm to recycling collectors and equipment.  Placing wrong items in the recycling can be unsafe to those who collect, transport, and process the material and can result in serious injury and equipment fires. Items like propane camping cylinders, batteries, sharps/needles, and lightbulbs are not recyclable and require special care.

To learn more about how to properly dispose of any item, try our Waste Wizard online at www.muskokarecycles.ca or our Muskoka Recycles app.

• Keep lids on – Keeping lids on makes sure lids/caps reach their final destination. Small loose items are not recyclable and often end up as litter.
• Empty recyclables – Dirty material can’t be recycled. Empty any products with food inside – this will also help prevent unwanted critters from being attracted to your material at the curbside.
• No coffee pods – The coffee pod market is not standardized. Some manufacturers use recyclable plastic outer containers, others make pods from ‘compostable’ plastic resins or organic products, and others make them from a combination of these materials. This makes it challenging and costly to recycling programs. Keep all coffee pods out of your recycling, or consider using a refillable pod.
• No textiles/clothing – These items cannot be recycled in our recycling program – there are more valuable and effective ways of handling this material. Look for donation bins, non-profits, charities, and thrift shops around your area to donate textiles, including clothing, curtains, towels, and scrap fabric.

When we recycle right, we can make a difference for our environment and our community. To find out “what goes where” visit our website at www.muskokarecycles.ca or download our free Muskoka Recycles mobile app and try our Waste Wizard.

You can read the original post here.