Even though Hamilton has seen its fair share of provincial cabinet ministers tour the area over the last six months, last weekend's ministerial visit could prove vital to preserving one of the province's unique landscapes.

Ontario Minister of Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield walked the remaining 80 acres of Eramosa Karst lands not protected from development, descending into its caves and watching as the water flowed underground.

Stoney Creek councillor Brad Clark, who joined Ms. Cansfield on the one-hour tour Jan. 12, said the minister's could be a signal the provincial government is listening to the Hamilton community to preserve the property.

"This is 100 per cent positive," said Mr. Clark. "It shows that the McGuinty government is paying attention to the community. This is really significant."

The last time a minister toured the karst lands, said Mr. Clark, was at least four or five years ago, when former cabinet minister David Tsubouchi visited. After the minster saw the lands, the Progressive Conservative government made a commitment to give the lands to the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

"Let's say this, the minister wouldn't be here if she wasn't interested," said Mr. Clark.

Mr. Clark said the knowledge Ms. Cansfield received, plus the information requested from the city's planning department about the karst lands, could prove important when the issue is debated within the Liberal cabinet.

Also joining Ms. Cansfield were Liberal MPP Sophia Aggelonitis and representatives of the Friends of the Karst.

Last September, councillors approved a motion asking the provincial government to transfer the remaining karst lands in the Trinity Neighbourhood to the HCA.

Councillors had already agreed to halt the secondary planning process for the lands east of the karst until at least December. An environment assessment for the Trinity Neighbourhood collector road through the karst lands was also stopped.

The karst lands have been threatened by the development of the Trinity Neighbourhood, which is bounded by Highland Road West to the north, Second Road West to the east, Rymal Road to the south and the proposed extension of Trinity Church Road. Much of the development was cancelled after the discovery of the karst, a series of caves, dry valleys, and sinking streams caused by dissolving limestone.

In 2006, the province transferred about 180 acres, including the core area, core buffer and feeder creak areas to the HCA. Another seven acres of low-lying land at the southwest corner of Upper Mount Albion Road and Highland Road was also designated greenspace and transferred to the HCA.

Despite Mr. Clark and the rest of council's support to protect the 13,000-year-old landscape, plus environmental and scientific data confirming the land's importance, the Ontario Reality Corporation, which manages the property for the provincial Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal, has indicated developing the remaining 80 acres of karst lands would benefit the community. The development plans would accommodate about 1,300 residential units and create about 800 jobs, boost tax assessment, provide a new Catholic school for the community and create a park east of the Karst Conservation Area.