Amherst will be an engaged, supportive, inclusive, progressive, and vibrant community
Priority Outcomes
Housing
Housing opportunities are available for residents and newcomers along the entire housing spectrum.
Strategic Initiatives:
- Facilitate the construction of 400 housing units. December 2027
- Develop partnerships that will lead to increased housing opportunities along the entire housing spectrum.
- Plan and ensure we can provide quality municipal services for an ever-increasing population.
- Review parks and greenspace usage and allocation to accommodate growth and changing trends. October 2025
- Support organizations that develop affordable housing.
- Develop a registry of developers to work and communicate with. September 2025
- Ensure Amherst grows as an environmentally sustainable urban community.
Safe Community
Collaboration with applicable agencies to enhance communty safety and services.
Strategic Initiatives:
- Collaborate with agencies (police, social services, mental health and addictions, etc.) to enhance community safety.
- Determine the feasibility of a live fire training solution. March 2025
- Complete the Amherst Police Department Strategic Plan. June 2025
- Continue active participation with the Regional Emergency Management Organization.
- Support community initiatives such as neighbourhood watch. October 2025
- Communicate crosswalk safety to pedestrians and motorists. March 2025
- Ensure long term viability of the Amherst water supply. September 2025
- Advocate for the protection of the Chignecto Isthmus.
Transportation
Foster safe and accessible options for movement within the town.
Strategic Initiatives:
- Review the Active Transportation Strategy to determine next actions. June 2025
- Determine the feasibility of a transit system ('A' Bus). October 2025
- Develop a mobility strategy. March 2026
Accessible and Inclusive
Infrastructure, programming, information, and services are available that reduce barriers and make Amherst accessible and equitable for all.
Strategic Initiatives:
- Develop infrastructure, programming, information, and services that reduce barriers and make our communuity accessible and equitable to all.
- Combine IDE and Accessibility Committees and Strategies. April 2025
- Make a decision on the continued use of brick sidewalks downtown. March 2025
- Develop a plan for an Accessible Playground. June 2025
- Prioritize developments that fast-track housing for social equity deserving groups.
Engaged Community
We listen to and seek input from all demographics of our community. We continually communicate with the public.
Strategic Initiatives:
- Foster community engagement on a wide range of leisure, social, cultural, and recreational issues.
- Seek input from all demographics of the community, particularly newcomers and equity deserving groups.
- Actively promote volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition.
- Build and maintain strong relations with community organizations for festivals and events - explore naming partners.
- Investigate options to form a Volunteer Committee/Liaison/Database/Event Action Group. November 2025
- Promote environmental initiatives to our town residents and businesses.
- Develop a Communications Plan/Strategy. December 2025
