Notice to Property Owners – Canada Post Strike May Delay Mailed Payments
Due to the ongoing Canada Post labour disruption, cheque or money-order payments sent by mail for 2025 property tax and water/wastewater bills may be delayed or not delivered. To avoid late payment penalties or interest charges, the Municipality of West Grey encourages residents to use alternative payment options.
The final 2025 property tax installment is due October 21, 2025.
Residents are invited to register for our new eBilling service by visiting online.westgrey.com. Once your account is linked, you can:
View and pay your bills online at any time.
Sign up for email notifications when new bills are issued.
Easily stay up-to-date on your municipal payments.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the West Grey Finance Department.
Our Official Plan is a long-term plan that provides a policy framework for the following:
The Planning Act of Ontario requires municipalities to regularly review their Official Plans to reflect updates to legislation, Provincial plans and policies, and County of Grey Official Plan.
The purpose of the new Official Plan is to update and replace the existing 2012 West Grey Official Plan for the Settlement Areas of Durham and Neustadt.
The review of the Municipality’s Official Plan began in 2020 and was put on hold due to extenuating circumstances. The project was reinitiated in 2025 with updates to reflect Provincial legislative changes.
The new Official Plan applies only to the primary settlement areas of Durham and Neustadt. Lands outside of theses two areas will continue to be subject to the rules and regulations of the County of Grey Official Plan.
The new Official Plan contains goals, objectives and policies that guide West Grey Council, its committees, public servants and the public with regard to land use. The local basis for the official plan includes:
The proposed Official Plan includes a new ‘Employment Lands’ designation that replaces the current ‘Industrial’ designation. Revised additional residential housing polices, revised policies on infrastructure construction. Updated land use and constraint schedules have also been introduced.
The Official Plan review is focused on the following key themes:
TAKE NOTICE that in accordance with Section 17 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.p.13, as amended, a public meeting will be held during the Regular council meeting of West Grey Council to consider a new West Grey Official Plan for the Settlement Areas of Durham and Neustadt.
The details of the Public Meeting are as follows:
Date: Tuesday October 21, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: West Grey Municipal Office, Council Chambers, 402813 Grey Road 4, Durham ON
PURPOSE AND EFFECT
The purpose of the public meeting is to provide the public with the opportunity to provide comments to council on the new Official Plan and for council to discuss the new Official Plan.
The purpose of the new Official Plan is to provide a long-term strategy for managing growth and development within the primary settlement areas of Durham and Neustadt to the year 2046.
The current Official Plan was adopted by West Grey Council on February 1, 2012. In 2020 West Grey Council ordered a review of the Official Plan, as per section 26 of the Planning Act, (R.S.O. 1990, as amended) to consider changes that were necessary to bring this land use document into compliance with current Provincial and County policies, the County of Grey Growth Management Strategy and to reflect the current goals and objectives of West Grey Council.
During the review process it has been determined that due to the number of changes required to the existing Official Plan that the preparation of a new Official Plan was a better option.
Information, including the new Official Plan can be also found by visiting: westgrey.com/officalplanreview
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
As the boundaries of the Durham settlement area are to be expanded a key map of the lands in Durham and Neustadt to be included in the Official Plan is provided:
 Lands to be included in Neustadt |
 Lands to be included in Durham |
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Oral and written comments will be considered at the public meeting. Written comments will be accepted until Friday October 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. and may be submitted to Jamie Eckenswiller, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk as follows:
Email: clerk@westgrey.com
Regular mail: 402813 Grey Road 4, Durham, ON N0G 1R0
Written comments received by October 13, 2025 will appear on the public meeting agenda which will be available for review on October 17, 2025 on the council calendar webpage.
If you wish to participate in the public meeting in person, you may do so by attending the meeting at the above-noted date, place, and time. If you wish to participate in the public meeting electronically, you may do so by following the Zoom link contained within the meeting agenda. To ensure your comments are clearly understood and received prior to council making a decision, you are encouraged to submit written comments prior to the public meeting even if you intend to attend the public meeting.
Any person may attend the public meeting and make oral and/or written submissions either in support of or in opposition to the proposed applications. All submissions will form part of the public record.
PUBLIC RECORD:
Personal information is collected under the authority of the Planning Act and the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended. The information collected will be used to complete the Official Plan process and will form part of the public record. Questions about this collection should be addressed to Jamie Eckenswiller, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For more information about this matter, please contact David Smith, Manager of Planning and Development at 519-369-2200 ext. 236 or notice@westgrey.com during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Information, including the new Official Plan can also be found by visiting: westgrey.com/officalplanreview
The public meeting and all council proceedings can be viewed live by following the Zoom link contained within the public meeting agenda or viewed during and after the meeting on the Municipality of West Grey’s YouTube page.
Official Plan Open House
Pursuant to Sections 26(3) and 17(16) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended, West Grey will host two open house’s:
The purpose of the Open House is to provide members of the public with the opportunity to learn about the draft new Official Plan, ask staff questions, and provide comments.
There will be no formal presentation at the Open House.
Written comments may be sent to the Planning Department by emailing notice@westgrey.com, or by mailing the Planning Department at: 402813 Grey Road 4, Durham, ON, N0G 1R0.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lands are affected by the new Official Plan?
The new Official Plan applies only to the primary settlement areas of Durham and Neustadt as shown on Schedule A (Land Use Plan Durham) and Schedule B (Land Use Plan Neustadt):
Lands outside of the two primary settlement areas will continue to be subject to the rules and regulations of the County of Grey Official Plan.
Where is the latest draft of the new Official Plan and associated Schedules located?
Why do we need to update the Official Plan?
Section 26(1) of the Planning Act outlines the requirements for updating an existing Official Plan. An approved Official Plan can be reviewed at any time, but each local council must update its official plan at least ten years from the date the plan came into effect in the case of a new comprehensive official plan. When an Official Plan is not being replaced, it should be updated at least every five years. This ensures the plan is consistent with Provincial policies and conforms and/or does not conflict with provincial plans, as required. If the plan is inconsistent or conflicts with the statement, the plan is expected to be updated.
What guides the preparation of the new Official Plan?
There are several planning documents that guide land use planning in Ontario, including:
How can I provide feedback on the new Official Plan?
Please provide any feedback on the new Official Plan in writing to the Planning Department by emailing notice@westgrey.com, or by mailing the Planning Department at: 402813 Grey Road 4, Durham, ON, N0G 1R0.
Please subscribe to this page to get an email update on when the content on this page is updated and stay tuned for more information.
Will this impact the zoning on my property?
The new Official Plan may impact the future zoning of your property.
The Planning Act requires that West Grey update its Zoning By-law within three years after the Official Plan is approved by the County of Grey.
Will the new Official Plan impact the property taxes on my property?
Property taxes are determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
Land use planning, such as official plans and zoning by-laws, may have an impact on the assessed value of your property, and subsequently the amount of property tax owing.
Contact Us
Municipality of West Grey
402813 Grey Road 4
Durham, ON N0G 1R0
info@westgrey.com
519-369-2200
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