Lunenburg Composting Improvements Announced

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Lunenburg Composting Improvements Announced

Lunenburg residents will soon see improvements in their regional composting system with a project funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint funding, in the amount of $200,000, was announced today as one of 22 project approvals totalling more than $21.8 million by Robert G. Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Michael Baker, MLA for Lunenburg, on behalf of Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"Our government made a promise to work with municipalities to make Nova Scotia safer, healthier and more prosperous," said Mr. Baker. "The Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is helping us to meet that commitment and respond to municipalities."

Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in Year One will be directed to green projects like Lunenburg's new Sludge Treatment Drying Beds.

"The Government of Canada is committed to projects that improve quality of life for Nova Scotians," said Mr. Thibault. "Through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, we are investing in green projects that contribute to creating strong, healthy communities with quality drinking water and a clean environment."

The $300,000 project will provide for the construction of two sludge drying beds at the Lunenburg Regional Recycling and Composting Facility (LRRCF). The dried sludge will be available for composting and will enhance the efficiency of the existing composting facility. The federal and provincial funding under the program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg and its LRRCF partners, the towns of Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, which will fund the balance of the project.

"This project is good news for Lunenburg," said Mayor Laurence Mawhinney. "It will certainly provide health and environment benefits."

This is the first in a series of approval announcements for projects nominated by municipalities under the program. Additional announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.

The $195-million, six-year Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.