Collingwood Council endorsed the Stormwater Management Master Plan on September 14, 2026, establishing a long-term framework to help the Town manage flood risks, guide infrastructure planning, and prepare for growth and changing weather conditions over the next 25 years. Following Council’s endorsement, the Final Report was made available for a 30-day review period, which concluded October 21, 2026. The Town thanks those who provided input during this comment period and participated in public engagement throughout this project.
This represents a significant milestone in the Town’s
The Stormwater Management Master Plan (SWMMP) reflects several years of work examining Collingwood’s stormwater system, waterways, drainage infrastructure, flood-prone areas, future development, and long-term infrastructure needs through technical studies, modelling, surveys, assessments, public engagement, and consultation with subject matter experts.
“The completion of the Stormwater Management Master Plan is an important step in strengthening Collingwood’s long-term resilience,” said Mohamed Alkoka, Director, Infrastructure. “It provides a comprehensive framework to better understand stormwater risks, evaluate priorities, and make informed decisions about future investments that support the protection of people, property, infrastructure, and the environment.”
The SWMMP identifies stormwater management challenges, risks, and opportunities, evaluates potential solutions, considers environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts, and recommends mitigation measures and implementation strategies. Council has directed staff to consider implementation of these recommendations through future Capital Plans and Operating Budget deliberations. Recommendations may also inform infrastructure renewal, development reviews, technical investigations, and opportunities for external funding. Individual construction and development projects will continue to be evaluated through the applicable planning, budget, regulatory, environmental, and Council approval processes.
Together, these recommendations provide a consistent, Town-wide approach to identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing flood-reduction projects, coordinating infrastructure improvements, and preparing for changing conditions over time. While no single plan or infrastructure project can eliminate all flood risk, this long-term approach will help the Town better manage and mitigate those risks.
The Town recognizes the importance of flood mitigation, watershed health, environmental protection, and responsible growth. These considerations will remain central as recommendations are evaluated and brought forward through future planning, budget, and approval processes.
The recommendations within the SWMMP support the Town's efforts to prepare for the impacts of climate change by considering how changing weather patterns, including more intense rainfall events, may affect infrastructure and flood risk over time. Together, the SWMMP and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, provide a framework for making resilient infrastructure investments and preparing for future climate conditions.
“Planning for stormwater infrastructure requires us to consider current conditions while also looking decades into the future using data collection, site-specific analysis, consultation, and updated modelling,” said Alkoka. “This plan gives the Town a structured way to assess risks and potential solutions, coordinate stormwater improvements with other infrastructure priorities, and adapt our approach as conditions, information, and community needs evolve.”
The Town appreciates the contributions of consultants at Greenland International Consulting Inc., participating agencies, subject matter experts, public feedback and consultation, and community organizations whose insight and feedback helped inform this plan. Learn more about the Stormwater Management Master Plan on the project page.