Nelson Quarry Expansion Moves Forward, Despite Local Opposition

The Nelson Aggregate quarry on the Mount Nemo plateau is going to get bigger. The Ontario Land Tribunal approved the expansion of the north Burlington quarry in an interim order issued Aug. 18, over the objections of the City of Burlington and local environmental groups.

The city and Conserving Our Rural Ecosystems Burlington (CORE) both say they are disappointed, and both are working through the 130-page decision before deciding on next steps. CORE said the ruling does not adequately reflect what is at stake on Mount Nemo, naming drinking water, public safety, sensitive ecosystems and the community that lives there. In a joint statement with Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL), the group said the decision raises questions about relying on provincial oversight of future aggregate extraction. City staff said it is too early to confirm what the ruling means for timing or for the city's own role, and that Mount Nemo "remains an important part of Burlington's identity, natural heritage and rural landscape."

The tribunal found that Nelson Aggregate had "satisfactorily responded to the concerns" raised against the plan, pointing to the company's proposals for monitoring ground and surface water, protecting natural heritage features, and managing blasting and dust. The decision describes the expansion as a wise use of mineral aggregate resources and a balancing of the public interest.

What happens on the ground, and when

Extraction is phased across 30 years. The new South Quarry goes first. Nelson Aggregate spokesperson Kevin Powers said he expects the first shovels in the ground there in spring 2027, with roughly 10 years of extraction to follow. Rehabilitation of that site would then begin as work moves to the West Quarry, which sits on what is currently Burlington Springs Golf & Country Club. Powers described rehabilitation in three parts: backfilling and regrading, returning a substantial portion of the land to agriculture, and integrating some of it for use by Conservation Halton as part of a park.

The golf course is not closing any time soon. The sale of Burlington Springs was conditional on this decision, and the club has confirmed it will keep operating as an 18-hole course for at least the next 10 years, until Nelson needs the site and starts putting up fencing and berms.

One step is still outstanding. The tribunal is withholding its final order until the Ministry of Natural Resources confirms Nelson has submitted updated site plans and other required information. After that, the OLT is expected to direct the ministry to issue the licence for the South Quarry, with monitoring and mitigation conditions attached.