Community members have the chance to share their opinions on proposed quarry policies included in the South Interlake Planning District’s draft development plan.
South Interlake Planning District (SIPD) provides planning and building development services for the district, which includes Rockwood, Rosser, Stonewall and Teulon.
The development plan guides direction for future land use, development and growth within the planning district. It considers the needs of current and future generations while also balancing community interests.
At a come-and-go event in June 2025 at the Heritage Arts Centre, attendees learned about the development plan process, discussed land use policy and shared feedback on the draft development plan.
The current process to review SIPD’s development plan began in 2023. It focuses on multiple issues, including the compatibility of neighbouring land uses, appropriate mix and amount of development, effective management of natural resources and preservation of heritage resources. It also addresses cost-effective infrastructure, protection of surface and groundwater resources, and sustainable economic and community growth.
At the same time, the development plan must be generally consistent with provincial land use policies.
The development plan contains policies and regulations that apply to aggregate extraction operations, or quarries, including those in the RM of Rockwood the north of Stonewall.
Quarry development and operations are regulated at the planning district, municipal and provincial levels.
The RM of Rockwood’s zoning bylaw doesn’t allow quarries to be established within 800 metres (half a mile) of the Town of Stonewall. This zoning bylaw hasn’t been updated to reflect current town boundaries following the annexation of land from the RM of Rockwood.
In addition to SIPD’s development plan and RM of Rockwood’s zoning bylaw, provincial legislation also regulates the quarries. Current provincial regulations require a minimum setback of 400 metres between quarries and a residence.
The draft SIPD development plan prohibits the establishment of new quarries or expansion of existing quarries within a 1.6-kilometre (one-mile) buffer area of the Town of Stonewall, which is an increase to the buffer outlined in the existing development plan.
In response to the feedback received at the open house event last June, the SIPD board and WSP Canada Inc. are conducting additional study on the proposed quarry policies and maps, specifically in relation to quarries near Stonewall.
The study could lead to recommendations to revise the draft development plan, while also considering technical analysis and public input.
An online survey allows residents near quarry developments to share their views and experiences. The survey is available at www.surveymonky.com/r/GFSKJTG until Friday, Feb. 27.
“We appreciate residents and landowners taking some time to share their views and experiences through the survey,” said Eric Shaw, SIPD’s general manager.
Visit the South Interlake Planning District website at sipd.ca to view SIPD’s draft development plan review under the “Planning Documents” tab.
