Wilmot landowners anticipate ‘technical details’ after hearing information is coming

Multiple landowners say the region is planning an information session that would release the technical details related to the land assembly in Wilmot Township.

Earlier this month two Wilmot councillors held a press conference, calling on the region to release “full technical details” regarding the reason for land being assembled in Wilmot.

CityNews spoke with the leader of the Fight for Farmland group, Alfred Lowrick, about what has been said.

Early last week, the region dropped off three handwritten letters to landowners, including Lowrick. No technical details have been released yet or were included in those letters. All three reside on the same block.

“They’re all in a row, there’s like five big farms in a row and a couple got it and a couple didn’t, its kind of maddening,” said Lowrick.

The letters did not give any relief, he added, and left Wilmot landowners still waiting for real information from the region.

“It’s not about just these landowners and the farmers, it’s about the community. Township is going to change dramatically with this. We’re concerned about the environmental aspect,” he said. “We’re also very concerned about the process; the process was not done properly. We’re just shocked the region and the province are being heavy-handed this way.”

Lowrick said the landowners in Wilmot are still playing the waiting game with the region.

“If the region is very interested in making this happen, they would have bought this land at a price you couldn’t say no to.”

About 770 acres of prime farmland have been on the chopping block since April when landowners in Wilmot were first told that their land may be expropriated if they choose not to sell to the region. The area in question is mainly located between Nafziger Road, Bleams Road and Highway 7/8.

“Ultimately it will come down to money. We know one person sold, one of the residential property owners sold. It’s just under an acre property.”

Lowrick confirmed to CityNews 570 that one residential property is located on Bleams Road. Two more landowners are pending.

If Wilmot landowners and farmers are given details on what the region plans to build in that land, they will know better if they are willing hosts or not said Lowrick. According to owners, there is a difference between building a chemical plant and a hospital.

“Quite frankly, the farmers are also at a point where they don’t care. There just going to move on and do their thing, they have planted all the fields for this year and are moving on with their farming plans,” said Lowrick. “I believe the region is simply playing the long game here.”

With little information from the region on whether land will be expropriated, farmers in Wilmot went ahead with planting crops and prepping for next year.

Lowrick said he doesn’t anticipate any updates from the region during the summer and now landowners are left with few options other then to wait for those technical details to be released.

A Fight for Farmland information session has been planned in New Hamburg for 7 p.m. June 24 at the New Hamburg community centre.

A public protest is planned prior at 6:30 p.m. at Wilmot Township council, 60 Snyder’s Rd. in Baden.