Municipal Affairs
June 9, 2009
Minister Clarifies Selection Process for Western Regional Landfill Site
The Western Regional Waste Management Committee is currently conducting
a site screening exercise to review a number of locations under
consideration for selection as the future regional landfill site for the
western region. This exercise will involve the consideration of a number
of factors, such as visibility, prevailing winds, site access,
availability of cover material and drainage, among others. This is an
important analysis which will assist with final site selection which
rests with the Provincial Government.
�This work will provide valuable information to our government and is an
important step in determining the best-suited regional landfill site,�
said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
�However, it is only one step of many in the selection process to
determine the regional landfill site. The Provincial Government does not
endorse or reject any particular site as identified through the on-going
exercise being conducted in the western region. The information compiled
will be one of the considerations used to make a final selection.�
Other criteria which will be considered to determine final site
selection will include further geo-technical analysis of soil
conditions, capital cost-analysis and operational cost factors,
socio-economic analysis of impact of cost to municipalities and
businesses, ownership of land and other competing interests. Once all
factors are considered, the final decision will be made by the
Provincial Government.
�A similar exercise occurred for the selection of the Avalon Regional
site, which has been identified as Robin Hood Bay,� said Minister
Whalen. �There was much discussion and speculation during that process,
and pre-mature positions being taken prior to all factors being
reviewed. We will await all information concerning western region
landfill options prior to eliminating any sites under discussion. In the
meantime, the western committee still has work to do prior to making any
recommendations to the Provincial Government for consideration. I would
encourage all parties to actively participate in the evaluation process
but caution that no decisions have been made by the Provincial
Government on the acceptance or rejection of any sites at this time.�
The $200 million Provincial Waste Management Strategy will introduce
three full-service regional waste management facilities on the Avalon,
Central and Western areas of the island portion of the province, and
programs for the zones in Labrador to meet the provincial waste
management goals. The provincial strategy will aim to reduce the amount
of waste going into landfills in the province by 50 per cent, supported
by the use of disposal bans and development of new waste diversion
programs. The Greater Avalon Regional Site is expected to be operational
by 2010, the Central site by 2011, and the Western Regional site no
later than 2016. It is expected that full implementation of the strategy
will occur by 2020.
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2009 06 09
11:15 a.m.
