County to maintain service at Matchedash Waste Transfer Station for 2026 as result of public consultation

Midhurst/December 22, 2025: In late 2025, the County of Simcoe sought public input on the future of the Matchedash Waste Transfer Station, located at 4546 Upper Big Chute Road in the Township of Severn. Residents were asked to provide feedback on three options: relocating the site to Medonte, located at 1675 Anderson Line; upgrading and expanding the existing site; or limiting the types of materials accepted.

The public consultation generated 825 survey responses, with 308 respondents providing additional comments. Fifty-seven percent of respondents expressed a preference for upgrading and expanding the current Matchedash Waste Facility, citing its convenience, accessibility, and reliability.

Many comments raised concerns about the projected $3.13 million upgrade cost, with several respondents noting that the facility operates efficiently in its current design.

Based on these results, County Council voted to maintain the site’s current design in 2026 while introducing significant volume-based rate increases to reduce commercial use. County staff concluded that investing $3.13 million in upgrades is not justified at this time, given the site’s relatively low usage and public feedback.

Although originally designed for seasonal use, the Matchedash site now faces challenges due to population growth, including congestion during peak periods, reliance on a diesel generator for power, lack of a scale, and limited cellular and internet connectivity. While the proposed rate changes may reduce site usage and waste quantities, it will not address the design concerns and lack of amenities for staff. 

County staff will collect in-depth data throughout 2026 that will help inform future decisions regarding potential upgrades or relocation. Following this review, staff will reassess the need for changes to the Matchedash site.

The full council report can be viewed by on the County of Simcoe website.

About the County of Simcoe

County of Simcoe is composed of 16 member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca. 

Contacts

Brandon Maron
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-903-7882 (mobile)
Brandon.Maron@simcoe.ca

Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca 

Received by the Township of Severn from the County of Simcoe via email on December 22, 2025.