Municipal Affairs
October 15, 2008

Waste Management Among Topics Discussed at MNL Annual Convention and Trade Show

After three days of informative sessions, meetings and presentations, the 58th Annual Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Annual Convention and Trade Show concluded on Saturday, October 11.

The Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs, was in Corner Brook for the entire event and expressed his thanks to MNL President Graham Letto and Corner Brook Mayor Charles Pender.

"Once again, MNL executed a first-class event and I�d like to thank Mayor Letto and his staff for all their efforts," said Minister Denine. "I would also like to thank Mayor Pender for his hospitality. Corner Brook is a beautiful city and we certainly enjoyed our stay there."

During the course of the convention, Minister Denine had the opportunity to attend many sessions and events, including the annual general meeting, the Tidy Towns luncheon and awards ceremony, the town hall session, and the small town caucus meeting.

As a guest speaker at the appreciation banquet on Saturday evening, Minister Denine took the opportunity to make some announcements about the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy.

"We understand that some municipalities are concerned with aspects of the strategy�s implementation," said Minister Denine. "There are financial concerns and some communities face challenges in meeting the set deadline dates. As such, where studies are underway and progress is being made on interim consolidations, government will extend the permits to operate beyond December 31, 2008, based on a case-by-case review of the circumstances. The goal remains to have these sites closed as soon as possible, but there is recognition that some additional time may be required."

Specifically, the following were announced:

Teepee Incinerators: Teepee incinerators are to be closed as of December 31, 2008 unless the site needs to remain open until the regional waste management infrastructure needed to eliminate the incinerator can be constructed. In such places, studies must be underway and progress being made on interim consolidations. Decisions will be made based upon an assessment of each site and the existence of a definitive plan and reasonable time line for closure.

C&D Waste Disposal Sites at Transfer Facilities: C&D (construction and demolition waste � used lumber, shingles and gypsum board) may be deposited at the transfer facility, as opposed to transported to the regional facility. Given the inert nature of C&D waste, there is little environmental impact by having final disposal at the transfer station where there are recycling and re-use opportunities. C&D is not required to be disposed in a dual-lined landfill.

End user costs: The waste management strategy will see increased costs to municipalities. Part of this cost is related to the transportation of waste to the regional waste disposal site. However, while no commitments can be made at this time, the cost of waste management transportation will be considered within the context of the fiscal framework review currently being undertaken.

Three Regional Facilities: Municipalities were also reminded that the Solid Waste Management Strategy calls for three regional facilities. Communities are directed to work within established host regions for final waste disposal, with the exception of remote and isolated areas and Labrador, which are to be considered separately for solutions and alternatives. Municipalities will not be permitted to �opt out� of regional solutions.

"This annual event is always a great opportunity to discuss and debate municipal issues," said Minister Denine. "The subject of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy was one on the minds of many attendees and I am pleased that we were able to address the concerns expressed by some municipalities, especially with regard to the December 31 deadline for incinerators. I hope we can all now move forward with implementing the strategy in a timely, responsible manner."

- 30 -

Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2008 10 15                                                       4:25 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement