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Wedgeport Windfarm Development Agreement

Published: December 7, 2023

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What is this development agreement?

The Development Agreement is a legal document between parties that outline the conditions upon which Council shall approve a development. The development agreement shall seek to address the issues that the community members have raised around the proposed wind turbine project.

These issues include:

  • Shadow Flicker – best described as the potential shadow that a turbine blade may create if it turns against direct sunlight. This has caused nuisances to residents in past wind farms.
  • Noise – Noise can be created through the blade rotation and also grinding coming from the ‘engine’. Both the development agreement and the environmental assessment states that Elemental Energy must keep the noise to a level of 40 decibels. Distance from a non-seasonal home must be at least 1000 meters.
  • Property values – residents expressed concerns that property values would drop as a consequence of wind turbine erection.
  • Not just Wedgeport Wind – residents expressed concerns that the farm impacts three communities directly, not simply one. Comeau’s Hill and Little River shall be mentioned in this development.
  • Community benefits – Elemental Energy shall outline how the communities will benefit from this development, including donations to major non-profit organizations that seek to improve the communities. Equality of treatment of communities was mentioned as very important.

Elemental Energy has partnered with a local First Nation organization as part of their provincial application and received approval to enter a Power Purchase Agreement with NS Power in August 2022. 

For more information on this windfarm, visit Elemental Energy's project website at www.wedgeportwind.ca

 

What about the environmental impact?

The Province approved an environmental assessment of the development in May 2023. This type of assessment measures issues such as wildlife protection and management, noise restrictions, shadow flicker, turbine deconstruction and site reclamation at the end of the project, etc.

The link to the decision may be found here https://novascotia.ca/nse/ea/wedgeport-wind-farm-project/

 

Relevant Documents:

  • Visual Quality Report - Download
  • Project Layout and Assessment Area - Download
  • WSP Development Agreement Presentation (December 7, 2023) - Download

Timeline of Events

  • December 7, 2023 - 6:30PM - Public Participation Meeting
  • December 12, 2023 - 4:30PM -  Planning Advisory Committee
  • December 14, 2023 - 6:30 PM - Regular Council Meeting (First Reading of Development Agreement)
  • January 9, 2024 - 6:00 PM - Information Session (Wedgeport Fire Hall)
  • January 18, 2024 - 6:30 PM - Public Hearing (5 J.E. Hatfield Court, Tusket)
  • January 25, 2024 - 6:30 PM - Executive Council Meeting (Second Reading of Development Agreement)

Media Release: Mariners Centre Expansion Concept Design Chosen

Published: August 10, 2023

Media Release: Mariners Centre Expansion Concept Design Chosen - Download

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Mariners Centre Expansion Concept Design Chosen

Thursday, August 10th, 2023 - Yarmouth, N.S. – The Mariners Centre Expansion Project Committee (EPC) has reviewed six concept designs developed by Ventin Group Architects for the planned expansion at the Mariners Centre. Focused on an expansion project that will maximize functionality and features, while keeping within project scope and confirmed budget of $30 million (before fundraising), the Mariners Centre Expansion Board (MCEB) has approved a concept design recommended by the EPC.

The concept selected will see a one-level, detached building constructed on the northeast side of the Mariners Centre property. Earlier concepts featured a two-level addition to the current building, but the chosen concept offers a far more cost-effective option, both in terms of construction and maintenance. It also offers better accessibility, a more energy efficient design, and allows the current facility and parking lots to operate normally during construction.
With the approval, the community comes one step closer to seeing a long-time vision become a reality. The architects will now get to work on a more detailed schematic design of the concept. Once completed, the MCEB will organize public engagement and information sessions to ensure the community is kept up to date. More details on the progress of the project will be provided in the fall.

Media Contact:

Nicole Albright
MCEB Chair
902-307-4474
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 MCE Concept Diagram

 

Media Release: Mariners Centre Expansion Concept Designs Under Review

Published: July 20, 2023

Media Release: Mariners Centre Expansion Concept Designs Under Review - Download

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Mariners Centre Expansion Concept Designs Under Review

The Expansion Project Committee is currently reviewing concept designs, and has requested additional proposals with options and costing from the architect

Thursday, July 20th, 2023 - Yarmouth, N.S. – The Mariners Centre Expansion Project Committee (EPC) is currently reviewing concept designs for the planned expansion at Mariners Centre. Two initial proposals have been reviewed, and the committee has requested more concepts from the architect. The additional concepts, including associated costing, are expected by the end of July from Ventin Group Architects, who were awarded the Architectural/Engineering Design contract in April.

As the concept designs are received and evaluated, costing is a key part of the review process. The EPC is focused on an expansion project that will maximize functionality and features, while keeping within the project scope and budget of $30 million (before fundraising). Once the EPC has reviewed and considered all concepts, options and costs, a recommendation will be made to members of the Mariners Centre Expansion Board (MCEB). The board will then approve, or recommend approval from the three partnering councils. A joint council meeting on the topic with Town of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Argyle, and the Municipality of Yarmouth will take place in the near future. Once a concept is selected, the architect will move ahead with a detailed schematic design.

“The MCEB has been engaged with the EPC and the architect over the last several weeks, and the process has been both exciting and challenging,” said MCEB Chair Nicole Albright. “A great deal of focus has been placed on ensuring the final concept is the best facility we can build, that serves as many residents as possible, all within the project budget. We need to get this right from the beginning, so the project committee have tasked the architects to present plans for a facility that offer a variety of options and configurations. We are eager to get the concept design finalized, approved, and out to the public as soon as possible.”

Another important success factor for the project will be fundraising. A strong team has been assembled for this effort, and they are ready to begin their campaign later this summer.

 

 

2023 - 2024 Tax Bills

Published: June 2, 2023

For more detailed information on paying your taxes, visit https://munargyle.com/paying-your-taxes.html or contact us at 902-648-2311

Tax Bills