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16 - The Canadian Champion, Frilay, January 14, 2000 Facing up to 70 appliclatons. Region to review policy on golf courses BV IRENE GENTLE The Champion A string of ground-guzzling golf courses in the region has spurred Halton staff to review its current policies. Today, justification studies showing there's s demand for the course can go a long way in bringing il 10 Halton lands. F id anuary 2 1 1 epSPECIAL IMIER PRI(E Cettin Mare inTE 2000?r~UT1~ Book your wiâhIaI /Wiihiit n 9053854- 217 more than a grant overmize sa'ay Came nali %Th Litde Rssta Gtft Shsp "If there were that many golf courses it would completely ruin our agriculture. We want to look at a sensible golf course policy.1 PAT MIJPY And that's easy enough to do, since a shortage in the Greater Toronto Area is putting pressure on the Region to succumb to applications for up to, 70 ilew golf courses, said the Region's commissioner of planning snd public works Pst Murphy. "There's a demsnd," he said. But if the Region doesn't take a look at ils policies, land ideally reserved for agriculture may be gobbled up by the sprawling courses. "If there were that many golf courses it would completely muin our agriculture," said Mr. Murphy. "We wsnt to look a1 a sensible golf course policy." Currently, 31 golf courses eat up about 2,000 hectares of land in Halton. TMat would aI lest double if ail the new applications were lo be permitted. Waler is also, an issue. As it stands, the Minislry of Enviroument grants water permits, but doesn't monitor the amount: taken in by the courses. That means there's no record of how much water they consume 10 remain lush and green.* So the Region will be taking a look at tIse overaîl picture 10 determine "whether or not the cumulative effects of ail the waler is drawing down tIse level," ssid Mr. Murphy. Wster bas come 10 the fore as an issue in the last few years, which have been characîerized by bot dry sumrmers. Scant ran or snow bas led 10 whispers of 'drought'. But the biggesî issue is stilI land, said Mr. Murphy. When writing up ils policies, the Region had inlended 10 ke!ep golf courses off prime agricullural sunds by corralling Ihero ahove the escarpmenî brow. Il's still a good ides, but il isn'l happening, said Mr. Murphy. "We thought we'd gel themn in Nassagaweya but we haven't," he ssid. Instead, only five of HalIon's 31 courses are located shove the escarpment brow. .And new golf courses are on the wsy. Approvals were given 10 three new courses st yesr, ail below the escarpment in lands deemed agricultursl rural. That means îhey are meant t0 be preserved for primarily agri- cultural purposes. And applications keep rolling in 10, place courses in Halton's best fari lands, said Mr. Murphy. 'Golf course development is very expenaive. If you do it on good, deep soil, il makies il cheaper," explsined Mr. Murphy. "Also, our prime land is dloser 10 the prime market ares." The study is expected 10 wrap up in May. If top Halton lands are proven to be endangered by the cunrent policy, changes will bave 10 be made 10, the regional and munici- pal officiaI plans. "The business that considers itself immune to the necessity for advertising sooner or. later finds itself immune to business." Derby Brown SKN»O-ME- Satuirday,, Jaauary 22 - 7:3Opm Suaday, ianuary 23 -2:OOpm E P ADE ..ith ohh PAGEha F11 out this ballot and drop off at the Champion office, 191 Main St. E. for a chance to win a family pass to the MONSTIER JAM 22-23 at Skydome. Deadline for entries is January 18, 2000. Name:- Address: c Rob Thnms Gord Tait Pauline Cteedr Adsertising Consaltant Bo k9 10111. We d like ta intraduce Vas ta the Ms Wantad sales team ia yaur cssmuaiy. As adnerlising consultants fsr the TELIJS Iseatarm Phissa Boak, thav'ra a bia part of the local scena, and Iieypte ia bauch with yor needa nas adoatser The TELUS tocator Phane Book gises yan an entremelp cool affective wap ta teach customars locallp, with supetînt quolity and guaranteed delînary backed bp oser 90 poars of TELUS adoartising aspesienc. Vou'l ba buarins tramt pour sales tean non, or pou cosld gîne then o shoot right now lor inclusion in the nons book. Its a free caîl, whereonr pou're Iscated. Ci 1-89-2N-l835 by March 23, 2Ml ta gat in te next Millton TELUS Lacator Phone Book. ;1e 1E LUS Carol Reichert Acivartising Consultant Datelin e -from DATELINE on page 14 Guild for ils Quit Show at the Halton Hilîs Cultural Centre Gallery, 9 Churcb St., in Georgetown. Admission is free. The show is closed Mondays. Wednesday Jan. 19 Milton Wheels bo Meals hosîs a luncheon in thse Loblsws Communily Room aI 11:30 p.m. Transportation snd assistance can be arranged. Tickets cosl $5. For more information, caîl Mary ai 878-6699. Thse La Leche League of Milton meets aI the CHERISH Family Resource Centre, 540 Cbilds Dr., at 8 p.m. A discussion on thse advantages of breastfeeding is led by accredited leaders. Everyone is welcome. For details, csll 876-0772, 878-6387 or 87-3322. People who suifer from anxiety or panic attacks can join an ongoing support group, Wednesdays from 7 10 9 p.m. For more information, caîl 693- 8771. Earth and Me, a programi for children aged 3- and-a-balf 10 5 years old, helpa litîle onles learn about the earth snd thse environment with lots of banda-on activities. TIse educational pmogram takes place fron 1 toi 3 p.m. For more information, calI the Milton Communiîy Resource Centre at 876- 1244, ext. 12. Thuraday Jan. 20 Milton District High School hosîs a free seminar enîitled Achieve a Healtby Weight at 7 p.m. Speakers include Dr. R. Aronson, endocrinologist, occupational therapiat, dietitian sud kinesiologis. Dispîsys and refreshmenîs are available from 6:30 p.m. To reserve a seat or for more information, caîl 338-4370. The Milton Historical Society hoats ils general meeting ai 7:30 p.m. ai Hugis Foster Hall. Anyone inleresled is welcome 10 attend. Men and women are inviled 10 a full molon heal- ing cirdle from 7:30 10 9:30 p.m. Caîl Elizabeth at 878-4952 for details. Age: MILTONS$ CHOICE - 61H11 1860 Regional Advertising Manager