Minister applauds service sharing initiative on waste management

Today, Municipal Affairs Minister Jack Byrne commented on news that the towns of Stephenville and Kippens have entered into a waste management agreement. The agreement will see the eventual closure and remediation of the Kippens landfill.

�A tremendous step towards service sharing has been achieved this past week on the west coast of the province,� explained Minister Byrne. �The joint waste disposal site to be shared between the towns of Stephenville and Kippens is a positive step in reducing the number of sites in Newfoundland and Labrador, and epitomizes what my department has long been encouraging.�

A contract signed recently between Kippens Mayor Wayne Ruth and Stephenville Mayor Tom O�Brien will see waste from both municipalities collected and managed by the Town of Stephenville. The Town of Kippens will compensate Stephenville for this service.

�Regional service sharing is a priority of the provincial government and we will continue to support the efforts of municipalities to partner with neighbouring communities for the financial and social benefit of their residents,� said Minister Byrne. �The plan is a positive example of two towns cooperating and addressing the fundamental needs of their residents as one.�

The Department of Municipal Affairs has committed to provide the towns with financial assistance in the transition. Discussions will soon commence to set out financial priorities.

�This is great news for the people of Stephenville and Kippens,� says Minister Byrne. �Residents of both towns have long benefited from the sharing of services and resources. This latest agreement on waste management is a further example of a healthy cooperative spirit that continues to prosper under strong municipal leadership.�

�The contract is an agreement between two neighbouring towns who believe in a strong working relationship through cooperation,� said Mayor O�Brien. �This is definitely a win-win situation.�

The NLFM in partnership with the Department of Municipal Affairs operates the Community Cooperation Resource Centre (CCRC), which is mandated to encourage cooperation between municipalities to come together on regional issues and services. Minister Byrne explained that all communities contributing in the sharing of services have enjoyed strong success and it is a matter that he will make certain has the continued support of the entire provincial government.

There are several service sharing agreements between Kippens and Stephenville, including animal control and the Regional Aquatic Centre. There is also a mutual aid between the respective fire departments, and the towns are working to tie their water systems together in case of an emergency.

Mayor Ruth, who is also the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, says he believes that, as neighbouring towns, Kippens and Stephenville should share services whenever possible. �The residents of both towns gain because we would find it difficult to fund these projects individually and not be able to provide these services.�

Media contact: John Tompkins, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498, jtompkins@gov.nl.ca.

2006 07 19                                      10:05 a.m.