News release

HRM Wins The 2004 Municipal InNOVAward

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--HRM Wins The 2004 Municipal InNOVAward


Co-operation and consultation are the key ingredients to success for Halifax Regional Municipality's (HRM) highly effective, innovative committee, the Development Liaison Group (DLG). The DLG includes representatives of government and the private sector and strives to ensure residential and commercial development in HRM occurs in a manner that is beneficial to residents and developers alike.

This unique approach to improving development in HRM has won the municipality the 2004 Municipal InNOVAward. The award was presented by Premier John Hamm at the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities meeting in Truro on Wednesday night, Sept. 22.

Since 2002, the annual Municipal InNOVAward has recognized excellence in the use of innovative approaches in the delivery of municipal programs and services. This year, HRM's Development Liaison Group was selected for addressing the need and recognizing the value of co-operation and consultation between the public and private sectors.

Members of the DLG include representatives of HRM, Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, Nova Scotia Home Builders Association, Urban Development Institute, Halifax Regional Water Commission and Nova Scotia Power.

"There's no question that, just as there are issues that emerge between the different levels of government from time to time, there are issues that emerge between the public and private sectors...issues that can confuse, confound and often frustrate business as well as the average taxpayer," Premier Hamm said while presenting the award to HRM Deputy Mayor Steve Streatch.

"The Development Liaison Group has proven to be a highly effective forum for improving services to the citizens of HRM."

Before the creation of the DLG, the relationship between industry and HRM staff was strained. HRM development approvals staff were continually being criticized for failing to meet industry and public expectations when reviewing and approving permit applications.

"Our focus was to improve services to all citizens who own or occupy buildings in HRM," said Paul Pettipas, executive director of the Nova Scotia Home Builders Association. "By having a more open and collaborative approach to addressing issues and processes, we were able to implement solutions that benefitted all sectors."

The DLG identified issues, brain-stormed on solutions and implemented these solutions. One of the group's achievements is the development of clear, agreed to, requirements for a complete application package for certain types of residential development. This resulted in a reduction in approval times from 21 days or more, to less than 5 days. Other development-related initiatives the group is involved in include civic addressing, underground services and subdivision by-laws.

"We receive thousands of development applications annually," said Paul Dunphy, director of planning and development services for HRM. "The DLG has enabled us to address fundamental issues, allowing us to become more effective and efficient without compromising quality of service or public safety."

For more information on the Municipal InNOVAward, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/awards/default.asp .