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Municipal Affairs
October 16, 2012

Over $3.7 Million Announced in New Municipal Funding in
Placentia and Surrounding Areas

The Dunderdale Government is investing over $3.7 million in Provincial Government funding through the 2012-14 Multi-Year Capital Works Program and the 2012 Municipal Capital Works Program. The total investment in municipal infrastructure, including a contribution by the municipalities of Placentia, Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights, St. Bride’s, St. Mary’s and Whitbourne, is over $4.4 million. In addition, funding has been allocated through the Provincial Firefighting Equipment Financial Assistance Program for the fire departments of Fox Harbour and St. Bride’s.

“This investment will provide for important upgrades to municipal infrastructure such as water, roads and firefighting equipment,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services. “We are committed to having strong and vibrant towns in Newfoundland and Labrador and we are pleased to provide funding for these projects.”

The Town of Placentia will receive $1.5 million to complete water hook up from Freshwater to Jerseyside, pave a number of municipal streets and clean up the Clark’s Pond Oil Spill. Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights will replace a waterline, while Whitbourne will upgrade the Main Street water line. St. Bride’s will use the funding for Phase one for water system improvements and St. Mary’s will replace a sanitary sewer outfall. Funding is cost-shared based on population, with the Provincial Government providing 80 per cent of the total project cost for Placentia and 90 per cent of the total cost for Long Harbour-Mount Arlington, St. Bride’s, St. Mary’s and Whitbourne.

Fire department funding is administered by Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL). Fox Harbour fire department has received approval to purchase over $23,000 in firefighting equipment including seven bunker suits, gloves and boots, and two self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The fire department in St. Bride’s will also receive two new SCBA, valued at more than $10,000. Fire departments successful in receiving funding have applied for the program with the support of their municipal council and have committed to cover their portion of the equipment through the established cost share ratios.

“This investment reflects government’s ongoing commitment to funding the infrastructure needs of the area,” said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General and MHA for Placentia-St. Mary’s. “In the past three years over $6 million has been allocation to municipal infrastructure projects in this area. On behalf of the residents of these municipalities, I want to extend my appreciation to the government for its support.”

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity included $130 million over two years for municipal capital works projects. Since 2008, the Provincial Government has invested over $500 million in municipal capital works projects which has resulted in improved municipal infrastructure across the province. These projects have provided municipalities the opportunity to secure, develop and improve infrastructure for residents and support the long-term sustainability of growth and development of communities.

The Provincial Government has also maintained improved cost-shared funding ratios established in 2008 to benefit municipalities. For communities with populations below 3,000, the Provincial Government will continue to invest 90 per cent of the cost of new infrastructure with the municipality providing 10 per cent; 80 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for populations between 3,000 and 7,000; and 70 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for municipalities with populations over 7,000.

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Media contacts:

Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca
Anita Hynes
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Felix Collins
MHA for Placentia - St. Mary’s
709-729-4410
hynesa@gov.nl.ca
Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador
700-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca
 

2012 10 16                                                 2:15 p.m.

 
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