News release

Region Prepares for Future Development

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

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Region Prepares for Future Development


With natural gas now flowing from the Sable Island wells, eastern Nova Scotia is taking steps to ensure that it is ready for the next wave of development in the region. Municipal officials from across the region and gas industry experts met in Port Hawkesbury on Sept. 27 to discuss the implications for the Strait area.

"Getting the gas ashore and building the infrastructure to do that was phase one," said Port Hawkesbury mayor Billy Joe MacLean. "With talk of more potential offshore exploration, we expect to see distribution networks put into place and a variety of spin-off businesses established. Local governments need to plan now for this demand on municipal services to have adequate roads, water and sewer services, housing, schools and skilled workers in place."

About 45 people, including mayors, administration and planning officials, and representatives from regional development authorities and the Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate established a network for information sharing, and municipal and land use planning. Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations organized the session to promote strong local government and leadership in the region.

"The government realizes that offshore exploration and related development will have a major impact on eastern Nova Scotia and we're doing what we can to help the communities prepare for the future," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "We are honouring our commitment to work with municipal governments to develop practical and innovative approaches to the challenges facing them."

Speakers at the session included Alastair Hamilton from the Shetland Islands, who related lessons learned from the Scottish offshore industry 20 years ago; and Bill MacMillan, an Alberta consultant, who spoke about the advantages of a co-operative regional approach and what international firms look for as they consider investment opportunities.

By the end of the one-day session, the region identified some of the next steps to be taken to accommodate future demands.