Andrew Bicknell is Water and Planning Manager
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) names Andrew Bicknell as new Manager of Water and Planning
New Water and Planning Manager assumed role on June 30, 2025 upon retirement of previous department manager who served in Planning and Regulations for 20 years
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has announced the new Manager of Water and Planning is Andrew Bicknell. He took on the manager role on June 30, 2025. This took place upon the retirement of the previous manager in this position, Geoffrey Cade, who worked in Water and Planning at ABCA for almost 20 years, first as a supervisor in the department and later as manager.
“I am pleased and honoured to be named Manager of Water and Planning and I look forward to continuing to work closely with our municipal partners, property owners and other stakeholders in this watershed,” Andrew said.
Prior to becoming Manager, Andrew Bicknell had served as Regulations Coordinator/Officer and more recently, Supervisor of Water and Planning at ABCA. He has nearly two decades of experience in Planning and Regulations in addition to many years in the consulting engineering and municipal sectors.
He is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) and has a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Davin Heinbuck is ABCA General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer. He said the new Manager of Water and Planning brings valuable engineering and inter-personal skills to the position as well as years of experience and knowledge of the planning and regulations department.
“Andy has nearly two decades of experience at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority,” Davin said. “Andy has played a key role in the Planning and Regulations department and we are pleased to have his proven experience and leadership in assuming this important role.”
The ABCA General Manager also thanked the previous departmental manager for his many positive contributions.
“ABCA wishes Geoff all the best on his retirement and I would like to thank him for his two decades of dedicated service,” he said.
Geoffrey Cade had been relied upon for his mentorship and leadership not only within the ABCA but among conservation authorities across the Province of Ontario, Heinbuck said. “Geoff has made a valuable contribution to this organization, to this watershed, and to conservation throughout Ontario,” Davin said. “I would also like to thank Geoff for leading a smooth and successful staffing transition in the Planning and Regulations department to position ABCA well for the future.”
The Planning and Regulations department is very important in ABCA’s work, Heinbuck said, as staff help to protect life and property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion. Staff review permit applications and ensure development takes place away from the most hazardous areas. In 2024, ABCA planning and regulations staff received 835 new file inquiries; issued 105 permits; completed 160 planning reviews; reviewed 38 drain applications; and received hundreds of other inquiries from the public.
The new Water and Planning Manager thanked his predecessor for his leadership, mentorship and for knowledge transfer leading up to his appointment.
“I would like to thank Geoff for his leadership and for his mentorship, knowledge and support, helping me, and the other Planning and Regulations staff, as we continue this important work,” Andrew said.
To learn more about the ABCA Planning and Regulations program, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website at abca.ca and click on the Planning and Permits web page.