Municipality of the County of Colchester

SUSTAINABILITY SURVEY

Climate Change, Global Warming and Living Sustainable Living, are all expressions that have become part of our vocabulary over the last decade. Municipalities across the country are preparing plans to become Sustainable Communities. Colchester Municipal Council recently adopted the following vision statement to guide Sustainable Community Planning for the next twenty years: “To create a sustainable Colchester that is prosperous, vibrant, healthy and caring; where decisions that are made today do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” While many of the issues surrounding these expressions seem to be too global in scope for our community’s ability to address, there is recognition that collectively small efforts will help to make a difference. Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Your thoughts count and will help set direction for the Municipality.

1. Looking into the future, how would a sustainable Colchester be different from the Colchester of today? What would indicate that progress has been made toward achieving sustainability? (Select all that apply and / or add your own items.)

Cleaner rivers and streams;
Growth patterns support future transit system;
‘Green’ buildings are common place;
‘Greener’ industrial / business parks;
Higher wages;
Larger population;
Less air pollution;
Local public transit system;
More arts & cultural opportunities & events;
More industrial and commercial businesses;
More cycle infrastructure - bike racks;
More efficient transportation network for Central Colchester;
More electricity produced from renewable sources;
More jobs;
More farmland in use;
More local food available;
More ‘natural’ park areas;
More recreation space;
More room for wildlife to live;
More sport and wellness facilities;
More wildlife / biodiversity;
More young people;
People use their car less;
Protecting the needs of future generations;
Safer cycle routes and lanes;

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2. When you think of sustainability, what words or phrases immediately come to mind? (Please choose all that apply)

A less comfortable life;
A more comfortable life;
Alternative energy;
Business opportunity;
Changes to the way I live that are easy to make;
Changes to the way I live that are difficult to make;
Climate change;
Conditions that make it more difficult for business and entrepreneurship;
Healthy arts and culture community;
Healthy economy;
Declining economy;
Fewer jobs;
Government rules and regulations;
Just a buzz word;
Looking after my community;
Preserving opportunities for our children;
The natural environment

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Community Sustainability is recognised as having four “pillars” Economic, Environmental, Cultural and Social. The following questions are based on these groupings.

CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY

3. Cultural Sustainability refers to our local arts, culture and heritage assets and what we need to do to keep and protect these for the future. Please tell us your 5 most important priorities for Cultural Sustainability in Colchester County. Choose what you think are the most important priorities below by numbering them in order from 1 (Most important) to 5 (Least important). Please do not allow ties (where two or more items are given the same priority number)

Community beautification

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Encouraging community festivals and events

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Encouraging community groups and associations

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Preserving and protecting heritage buildings

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Promotion and preservation of arts and culture

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Protecting the rural nature of Colchester’s countryside

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Supporting community halls

Please enter a number from 1-5.

4. Are there other priority areas for Cultural Sustainability in Colchester County that are not listed above and are part of your top 5?

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ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

5. Economic Sustainability is an important component of a sustainable community. It refers to how well the economy is functioning and ensuring that conditions allow for enough jobs to ensure that residents can maintain a comfortable living today and into the future. Please tell us your 5 most important priorities for Economic Sustainability in Colchester County. Choose what you think are the most important priorities below by numbering them in order from 1 (Most important) to 5 (Least important). Please do not allow ties (where two or more items are given the same priority number)

Attracting business investment from outside of Colchester

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Diversifying the economy of Colchester

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Improving infrastructure (roads, water, sewage)

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Increasing tourism growth and opportunities

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Increasing cottage industries

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Investing in ‘green’ businesses

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Investing in recreation (trails and parks)

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Investing in active transportation (bike lanes)

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Maintaining low property tax rates

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Promoting buy local initiatives

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Supporting local agriculture

Please enter a number from 1-5.

6. Are there other priority areas of Economic Sustainability in Colchester County that are not listed above and are part of your top 5?

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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

7. Environmental Sustainability is the concept that human activity occurs in harmony with nature and the consumption of natural resources is in balance with nature’s ability to replenish them. Please tell us your 5 most important priorities for Cultural Sustainability in Colchester County. Choose what you think are the most important priorities below by numbering them in order from 1 (Most important) to 5 (Least important). Please do not allow ties (where two or more items are given the same priority number).

Adapting to climate change

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Developing / encouraging alternative sources of energy

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Encouraging more ‘green’ buildings

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Help residence and businesses to be more environmental responsible ‘Green’ Municipal Planning

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Improving public awareness of environmental issues

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Limit residential growth on farmland

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Monitor and protect water quality of lakes, rivers and streams

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Promote energy conservation

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Protect and restore natural spaces

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Protect our drinking water

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Protect our farmland and agricultural industry

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Protect the our air quality

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Please enter a number from 1-5.

8. Are there other priority areas of Environmental Sustainability in Colchester County that are not listed above and are part of your top 5?

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SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

9. Social Sustainability refers to community well-being and includes things like health, education, housing and social services. While a number of these issues fall outside of a municipal mandate, they are important elements of a sustainable community. Please tell us your 5 most important priorities for Cultural Sustainability in Colchester County. Choose what you think are the most important priorities below by numbering them in order from 1 (Most important) to 5 (Least important). Please do not allow ties (where two or more items are given the same priority number).

Attracting and retaining new residents and immigrants

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Feeling safe in your community

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Promoting healthy, active lifestyles for all ages

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Providing affordable housing

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Providing public transit

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Providing support for an aging population

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Reducing youth obesity

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Supporting affordable housing options

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Supporting local fire departments

Please enter a number from 1-5.
Supporting volunteerism

Please enter a number from 1-5.

10. Are there other priority areas for Social Sustainability in Colchester County that are not listed above and are part of your top 5?

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INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY

11. Do you think that individuals and families have a role to play in making our community more sustainable?

YesNo
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12. Have you made changes to your household to make it more sustainable?

YesNo
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13. If Yes, what types of changes have you made?

Insulate your house;
Renovate your house;
Install programable thermostat;
change to low energy light bulbs;
Purchase more efficient vehicle;
Walk/ bike to work;
Purchase more locally produced foods;
Recycle and compost;
Other;

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14. Are there programs that have helped you make changes to your Household?

Home Energy Efficiency Program;
One Million Acts of Green;

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Other

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15. If you answered no to #12, what has prevented you from making your household more sustainable?

Lack of information about what can be done;
Lack of interest;
Changes are too expensive to make changes.
Other

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TELL US ABOUT YOU

16. How long have you lived in Colchester? (Number of years)

Please enter a number.

17. Gender

Female
Male

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18. Age

Under 25
25-44
25-64
65 and over

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19. What is the name of your community in Colchester County AND in which region is it located? Please check the region.

West Colchester (for example, Debert, Great Village, Folly Lake, Five Islands, Bass River, Masstown, Londonderry, Economy, Glenhome)

North Colchester (for example, Earltown, Tatamagouche, Kemptown, Denmark, Brule, Nuttby, New Annan, McCallum’s Settlement, Bayhead)

South Colchester (for example, Old Barns, Shortts Lake, Middle Stewiacke, Wittenburg, Green Oaks, Brookfield, Shubenacadie East, Upper Stewiacke, Coldstream)

Central Colchester (for example, Onslow, Bible Hill, Valley, Harmony/Camden, Hilden, Belmont, Truro Heights, East Mountain, Lower Truro, Greenfield, North River, Salmon River)

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20. Do you . . .

Own your home?
Rent?
Other arrangement?

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21. Does your household include school aged children?

YesNo
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22. Which of the following best describes your community?

Suburban with public sewer, street lights and paved roads;

Rural Subdivision with on-site septic field, gravel or paved read, located in a neighbourhood of homes, lot created as part a multi-lot subdivision;

Rural with on-site septic field, larger lots fronting on an existing road and greater distance between neighbours;

Village Settlement of homes and shops, perhaps served with public sewer, water, street lights and sidewalks.


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