|
Roland Butler, MHA for the District of Port De Grave, and George Sweeney,
MHA for the District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace, are calling on government
to re-evaluate its plan to establish Robin Hood Bay in St. John’s as the
regional waste management site for the Avalon peninsula. The MHAs are asking
that a more equitable formula be implemented that would allow all
communities to have a voice on the waste management committee. Last night,
community representatives from the Avalon region held a meeting to discuss
government’s decision to designate Robin Hood Bay as the regional waste
management site, and give St. John’s a majority voice on the waste
management committee. The vast majority of representatives opposed this move
and are now calling on government to establish a new site, as well as a new
committee that would be represented by population.
"While I was unable to attend last night’s meeting, I was informed of the
issues discussed by our regional representatives," said Mr. Butler. "These
individuals feel that the only fair way to distribute representation on a
waste management committee would be from a population perspective that would
give everyone an equal voice. The population of the Avalon region outside of
St. John’s is estimated to be approximately 130,000 people, and our towns
believe they should have equal input towards the decision-making process.
"It is unfortunate that previous work on the Dog Hill site seems to have
been scrapped by the current government. This site was chosen as the best
for the region based on detailed consultations and studies. It now appears
that Robin Hood Bay has become the preferred choice of government, and they
are willing to give the City of St. John’s majority decision-making
authority on rules and fees governing this site. This is unacceptable to the
towns in Conception Bay North.
George Sweeney says many rural towns are struggling to pay their bills,
and increasing fees for waste management services will only worsen the
situation. "Communities in Conception Bay North fear that increased tippage
fees will result if St. John’s has control over the waste management
committee. This would mean more money going to St. John’s, while smaller
communities struggle to secure increased taxes from a declining tax base.
This will almost certainly put some town councils on the verge of
bankruptcy.
"Federal gas tax money has been set aside for waste management
initiatives and the time has come for government to make the investment into
a new regional waste management site that will truly benefit the entire
region."
Both MHAs state they will be joining the representatives of the
Conception Bay North region in lobbying the Minister of Municipal Affairs to
reverse the decision that favours Robin Hood Bay and encourage a more
equitable solution to this problem.
|