[amor de cosmos]

September 26, 2009
Government invests in infrastructure for oil sands expansion
$241 million will help create two new communities in Fort McMurray



Fort McMurray... Preparing for continued growth in the oil sands, the Government of Alberta is moving forward to turn raw Crown land into new residential, industrial and commercial developments in Fort McMurray.

“Now is the right time to prepare Alberta for its next phase of growth,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “With this investment, we are working with Fort McMurray to create new jobs for today and new homes for tomorrow. We will be ready to support future expansion in the oil sands.”

Over the next five years, the province will invest more than $241 million to develop land located in the Parsons Creek and Saline Creek Plateau areas adjacent to Fort McMurray. Of the total $241 million, $166 million will be used to complete an innovative new residential development at Parsons Creek. The remaining $75 million will bring utilities and roads to the Saline Creek Plateau area making future residential, commercial and industrial developments possible.

Parsons Creek - Phase One will cover 450 acres and will include more than 2,000 new homes accommodating an estimated 6,500 residents. A full 20 per cent of the homes will be designated as affordable housing, with rents at least 10 per cent below market rate.

“This funding will make a real difference in the lives of many families living in Fort McMurray,” said Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Yvonne Fritz. “The Parsons Creek development will provide low to moderate-income families with a safe and secure place to live and contribute to building a strong community.”

In addition to building more affordable housing at Parsons Creek, the province is committed to making the community both environmentally sustainable and healthy. Green technologies, like alternative energy sources, are being explored and features like extensive parks and walkable neighbourhoods will be included in the plans. The goal is to put Fort McMurray at the forefront of innovative urban design. Public consultations on the preliminary plans for Parsons Creek are expected to begin in October.

Development at the Saline Creek Plateau will focus on bringing water and sewer systems to the site, the construction of Saline Creek Drive and improvements to the intersection of highways 63 and 69. These steps will prepare the area for future residential housing for up to 3,000 people as well as new commercial and industrial developments.

“Alberta’s investment in these new communities will provide the critical infrastructure of roadways, water and sewer systems that will help support the future growth of Fort McMurray,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation.

Development of both Parsons Creek and the Saline Creek Plateau will be led by the provincial government. The province will develop plans for the communities and prepare serviced land for sale to developers and builders. Revenue generated from the sale of the parcels will be reinvested in the public infrastructure like schools and affordable housing in the new communities, making this a cost-effective approach to development.

This hands-on approach to developing Crown land in the Fort McMurray area also allows the municipality to respond more strategically to growth pressures in the region. For example, the current inventory of lots and new construction in Fort McMurray is expected to be sold out in the next three to four years. Serviced land at Parsons Creek will be available for sale to developers in 2011-12. It will then take about two years for developers to build new homes.

“The Municipality is very pleased to see Parsons Creek and Saline Creek Plateau move forward with a strong commitment from the Government of Alberta,” said Melissa Blake, Mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. “Fort McMurray is facing extreme growth pressures, so partnerships such as this are crucial to increasing the quality of life for residents now, and in generations to come.”

The need to develop Crown land in the Parsons Creek and Saline Creek Plateau areas was identified as part of the Alberta government’s overall community development plan for Fort McMurray. It is an important action in implementing the recommendations made in the Radke Report and Responsible Actions, the 20-year strategic plan for Alberta’s oil sands.

http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200909/2698...7162A3164.html