Wood Buffalo Region

There have been significant growth pressures on infrastructure and services in the Wood Buffalo area. The province is working with communities and industry to ensure future development occurs in a managed and responsible way.

The province is developing new affordable housing in Fort McMurray, complete with new homes and community facilities, complemented by schools, health clinics, recreational facilities and parks.

$241 million was provided for off-site infrastructure to support growth on Southlands (formally known as the Saline Creek Plateau) for residential and commercial spaces as well as onsite development for Parsons Creek.

The new neighbourhood of Parsons Creek will provide housing for approximately 24,000 residents, including affordable housing. Phase One will create more than 2,000 homes for 6,500 residents. Parsons Creek will include single family and multi-family homes, schools, health clinics, recreational facilities, parks, emergency services, shopping and general business activities.

Planning for Infrastructure Development

The Government of Alberta recently provided $103 million to support a new wastewater treatment plant and to upgrade the existing water treatment plant in Fort McMurray.

The province is developing a Comprehensive Regional Infrastructure Sustainability Plan for the Athabasca Oil Sands Area.

These plans are a new long-term and collaborative approach to planning infrastructure in Alberta's three oil sands areas.

Each plan will establish a long-term blueprint for future infrastructure development based on possible future oil sands production rates and associated population growth, and will enhance the way provincial and municipal governments work and plan together.

The draft plan for the Athabasca Oil Sands area will be completed by the end of June.