Municipal Affairs
July 23, 2008
Funding for Water Supply Alternatives
Study Announced for George�s Brook and Milton
The Local Service District of George�s Brook and
Milton will receive $37,725 to conduct a water supply alternatives study
through the 2008-09 Municipal Capital Works (MCW) program. The MCW
program fosters the development of cost-shared projects in a wide range
of municipal infrastructure, including water and waste-water treatment,
roads, recreational facilities and fire equipment.
"We are committed to working with municipalities to
identify water infrastructure shortfalls that may exist and come up with
appropriate alternatives," said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of
Municipal Affairs. "We are pleased to invest this funding to ensure
water services are modern, secure, safe and accessible to the residents
of George�s Brook and Milton."
Minister Denine recently announced that through the
2008-09 MCW program, $61.2 million will be spent on many infrastructure
improvement projects province-wide. Under the program, the Provincial
Government will contribute $32.4 million; the Federal Government will
contribute $12 million and the municipalities will contribute $14.1
million. Towns will also utilize the Federal GST rebate as part of the
capital cost.
"The Local Service District formed by the communities
of George's Brook and Milton has faced many challenges with their
current water supply," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, MHA, Trinity
North. "This much needed study will help identify solutions to ensure
that the future water supply needs of these growing communities can be
met."
Recently, changes to the cost-share ratios for
municipalities were announced. These changes state that towns with
populations under 3,000 now have to contribute only 10 per cent toward
the cost of capital infrastructure. Towns with populations between 3,000
and 7,000 contribute 20 per cent and the largest cities and towns with
populations over 7,000 contribute 30 per cent.
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Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca
2008 07 23
9:40 a.m.