Municipal Affairs
January 25, 2017
Supporting Strong Communities
Provincial Government Announces Review of Northeast Avalon Regional Plan
The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs, today launched a review of the Northeast Avalon Regional (NEAR) Plan at the Manuels River Interpretation Centre in Conception Bay South. Minister Joyce was joined by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Chair of the Oversight Committee for the NEAR Plan, Graham Letto. The plan is a collaboration of 15 municipalities of the Northeast Avalon working together with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador to create a plan to shape the region’s future growth.
“The development of the Northeast Avalon Regional Plan is a priority for our government and it supports the commitment to sustainable communities and stakeholder engagement. I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Oversight Committee in moving this project forward for the region. A new and effective regional plan for the Northeast Avalon is needed to identify common goals for all municipalities in the region and a new plan will reflect the demographic and economic future of the area while considering potential impacts on infrastructure and land use.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs
A modernized updated plan is needed to replace the St. John’s Urban Region Regional Plan which is 40-years old. The new plan will address new priorities; provide current mapping; and ensure that the names of infrastructure, facilities and communities are current. A regular review of the plan will be important once the new plan is released.
“As a former president and member of the Board of Directors for Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, I understand the importance of this plan for the region. Working together, we will ensure the Northeast Avalon region is poised to prosper in the future.”
- Graham Letto, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Chair of the Oversight Committee for the NEAR Plan
The Oversight Committee has identified seven themes as top priorities in the context of land use planning:
- Municipal Services;
- Transportation;
- Environment;
- Diverse Development;
- Plan Governance;
- Economy; and
- Collaboration
“We live in a rapidly changing and dynamic region. It has been that way for quite some time and will continue to change. When completed, the Northeast Avalon Regional Plan will be an important planning and policy document which will help guide development, infrastructure investment, and land use decisions within our municipalities.”
- Christopher Dredge, Mayor of Bauline
Public consultations for input on the plan will be held in all 15 municipalities by June 2017. The first public events will be focused on developing a vision to guide the future of the region and takes place on Wednesday, February 15, at the Kelligrews Legion in Conception Bay South from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The second session is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, at the Bauline Community Centre from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The public is encouraged to submit feedback online through the Our Avalon Facebook page, on Twitter using #ouravalon and online at www.ournortheastavalon.com
QUICK FACTS
- Minister Eddie Joyce, today launched a review of the Northeast Avalon Regional (NEAR) Plan at the Manuels River Interpretation Centre in Conception Bay South.
- The NEAR Plan is a collaboration of 15 municipalities of the Northeast Avalon working together with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador to create a plan to shape the region’s future growth.
- Public consultations for input on the plan will be held in all 15 municipalities by June 2017.
- For more information on the Northeast Avalon Regional Plan, please visit: www.ournortheastavalon.com
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Media contact:
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Lynn Robinson Media Relations Manager Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-5449, 691-9466 lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca |
2017 01 25 2:15 p.m.