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NLIS 3
December 8, 2000
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

 

Conception Bay North Waste Management Plan

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, dispelled the rumour that decisions have already been made to build a new incinerator in Avondale. Over the past few weeks there has been some discussion, and media coverage, suggesting that a new incinerator will be built at a site south of the Trans-Canada Highway near the Avondale Access Road. It has also been suggested that this new incinerator is being built to service the needs of the Conception Bay North area and that it will burn bio-medical waste. The minister said the suggestion that decisions have been made is inaccurate and has caused concern for people in the Conception Bay Centre area.

"I want to set the record straight and offer every assurance that no decisions have been made regarding site selection, nor the technology to be used in addressing the issue of waste management for communities in Conception Bay," said the minister. "We are in the preliminary stages of developing a waste management plan and the only decision that has been made is that a long term strategy needs to be developed."

The minister said solid waste management is an area of municipal responsibility and while the province is prepared to work with municipalities and cost share in a solution, ultimately, it is the municipalities who should make the decisions regarding a solid waste management plan. In developing a comprehensive long term plan, municipalities and other stakeholders should consider the full range of issues and options that are available.

"I was very happy to receive a message from Eugene Conway yesterday, noting that he had made recent media statements based on partial information," said the minister. "Mr. Conway now realizes that we are only beginning a planning process. He has also stated a willingness to participate in that process."

To facilitate the development of a regional waste management plan, the minister said the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs has commissioned a report on the waste management needs of the region. Once this report is completed in January, it will be distributed to stakeholders and will form the basis for full and open consultation. The minister said she hoped that municipalities themselves will take the lead in managing a consultation process, and will consider all aspects of the issue including site selection, the most appropriate technology and other approaches to minimize waste disposal. The minister said these considerations will play an integral role in the ultimate decision making process and in guiding an environmental assessment and registration process.

The minister said she has written to municipalities to inform them that there are several possible sites and several possible technologies, but those sites have only been developed as potential options.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1983

2000 12 08                      4: 20 p.m.



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