Australia and Energy Ideas

Australia Businesses Call For Tax Breaks On Energy Efficiency



CANBERRA -(Dow Jones)- Australian business groups are calling on the government to use tax breaks to improve energy efficiency, rather than the " heavy-handed" approaches of a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme, until there is an international consensus on climate policy.

It comes as the ruling Labor government is due to meet Tuesday to consider fresh approaches to climate policy in the run-up to a general election. New Prime Minister Julia Gillard named climate change one of the key issues she plans to address following the ouster of Kevin Rudd as leader on June 24.

Gillard has said she won't consider reintroducing plans for a carbon emissions trading scheme until at least 2012, in line with a delayed timetable Rudd announced in April.

But she is expected to flag new renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

"With government this week again considering climate policy, there is no quick pre-election fix. In the absence of a global consensus where other countries carry their fair share, the Australian government should look to policies which are measured, practical and more carrot than stick," Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said in a statement.

"The recent change in Australian political leadership did not change the fact that the Copenhagen (climate) conference failed to reach a global consensus. The Australian government must adapt policy to this reality," he said.

Tax incentives for lower-emitting plant and equipment would be a "step in the right direction", he said.

A survey of 1,000 business owners by ACCI found 75% favor business tax incentives for energy efficiency.

"Taxing our economy with a carbon tax or unilateral emissions trading scheme has low business support in the current environment. The higher energy costs it would bring to business and consumers would come with little global gain," Anderson said.

-By Rachel Pannett, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; rachel.pannett@ dowjones.com

Recycling

Is everyone aware of the Freecycle Network? Go to freecycle.com and choose your closest town if your own isn't listed. Sign up and post the stuff you have to give away and find items you are looking for when other people post what they are giving away. Must be *free* and no strings attached. Anyone in Digby County can post their items here too, as well as on that listserv.
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Municipal Council #2

Agenda for July 12 2010


Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateJuly 12, 2010Pause to Seek GuidanceApproval of the AgendaAdditions/DeletionsPresentationsApproval of MinutesMay 10, 2010Old Business /BusinessArising from Minutes# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0Other BusinessArisingWardenThurberDeputy WardenMacAlpineCouncillor GregoryCouncillor AmeroCouncillor Adams
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda
New Business#1ADEDAFunding Request-Investment Attraction Consulting Services - $ 3,000
#2Councillor AmeroWeymouth Street Signage Update
#3UNSMMunicipal Auditors Report-Inputrequested-Deadline Sept 13, 2010
#4Harold TheriaultFlat Iron Road
#5#6# 7# 8CorrespondenceReceivedInformation Only# 1 Digby and AreaCommunity HealthBoardCopy of letter to Minister of Healthconcerning the lack of Palliative Care beds in the District# 2 NS Labour & Workforce DevelopmentAmendments to the NS Building Code Regulations-September 1, 2010# 3 NS CommunityServicesAmalgamation of the Annapolis ValleyHousing Authority, the South Shore Housing Authority, and the Tri-CountyHousing Authority as the Western Regional Housing Authority#4CUPWCanadian Postal Service Charter and the Future
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaChief AdministrativeReportJuly, 2010Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersAugust 23rd– Council @ 6:00 pm atCulloden Baptist ChurchSeptember 13th– COTW @ 6:00 pm at North Range Community HallSeptember 27th– Council @ 6:00 pm at Weymouth Waterfront LibraryDepartment Reports for May and June 2010AdministrationTaxationBuilding DepartmentBuilding PermitMunicipal Fire InspectorAirport/DispatchDispatch Call ReportAirport Statistical Dog Control ActivityDog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateJuly 8, 2010Notice of MotionIn-CameraContractual IssueAdjournment

Municipal Council Minutes

Minutes from May 10 2010


Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Thurber in thechair at 6:04 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jim Thurber, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerWarden Thurber asked everyone to pause to seek guidance for the meeting.AgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved ascirculated.MOTION CARRIED

Hearings & PresentationsIan Russell – NovaScotia WeekMOVED and seconded that Mr. Ian Russell come before theCommittee to make a presentation on Nova Scotia Week.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Russell came before the committee to make apresentation on Nova Scotia Week. He gave a brief outlineof what took place during the trip to Scotland last year in which there were 42 delegates from Nova Scotia. There area number of benefits with bringing delegates from NovaScotia to Scotland and from Scotland to Nova Scotia. Onething that Mr. Russell would like to see in Digby is amanufacturing industry. It is a prime location with Digbybordering on the Bay of Fundy. In 2010, Mr. Russell would like to focus on tourism and
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia2promoting Nova Scotia as a destination. More specifically, he would like to promote Digby. He is currently working on bringing people into Digby with the goal of getting themto open businesses in this area. Mr. Russell is looking for representation from theMunicipality. The cost is $2,850 per person. Theorganization is a non-profit organization. He noted thatCouncillor Gregory did a great job last year representing theMunicipality.  Warden Thurber thanked Mr. Russell for the presentationand advised that this will be discussed by Council and notedthat there will be Council representation. Mr. Russell asked Council to check out the followingwebsite: www.helloscotland.comMinutesApril 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of April 13, 2010 beapproved as circulated.MOTION CARRIED

Business Arising/OldBusinessWestern CountiesRegional Libraries –Personal EmergencySystemsWeymouth DrainageGrass Burning It was noted that the safety devices for the WesternCounties Regional Libraries do not rely on the cell phoneservice; therefore, should work fine in Weymouth. A quote will be received by the end of the month for thedrainage issue in Weymouth.  Deputy Warden MacAlpine would like to come up with a solution to the grass burning issue discussed at the lastCOTW meeting. It was suggested that Council reviewexisting bylaws from other Municipal Units to see how thisis addressed and discuss it at a Bylaw and Policy meeting. Deputy Warden MacAlpine noted that there is another unitwith a bylaw in place that addresses this, and another unitwith one in progress.  It was suggested to have this issue in the Coastline next
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia3spring.Other BusinessArising NILWarden Thurber No Business ArisingDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business Arising

New Business#1 UnsightlyComplaint – DerelictVehicles on DigbyNeck There was a discussion regarding derelict vehicles. It wasnoted that the price is high for scrap metal now so peopleare getting rid of it. There are people willing to pick up derelict vehicles for free; however, this would be hard tocoordinate. There was a discussion regarding theDangerous and Unsightly Act and how people can interpretunsightly premises differently. It was agreed to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Act to see if there is a way to tighten it up. If Council wishes tomake changes, a resolution should be taken to the UNSM atthe fall conference.  A letter will be sent back to the complainant advising ofCouncil’s plan to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Actand also advising that Council has addressed one of theissues outlined in the letter.#2 UnsightlyComplaint – Litter in Ditches There was a discussion regarding what can be done with thelitter in the ditches throughout the Municipality. It wassuggested that there be a detailed story in the June Coastlineon community pride. This article should make peopleaware of the By-law Enforcement Officer. This articleshould also make people aware of the program availablethrough Waste Check for groups who can receive funding inthe amount of $200 if they are willing to cleanup a 1 km
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia4section of highway.  It was noted that the suitcases and toilet that werementioned in the letter received must be addressed. Council will discuss the option of making property ownersresponsible for the ditches in front of their property at aPolicy and Bylaw meeting.#3 AirportSurveillance Camera –Quotes There was a discussion regarding replacing the surveillanceCamera that RCMP used to have at the Airport. Thecamera that had been there was able to rotate to view theDog Kennel and around to the runway. There is a camerathat would provide a view of the bus only, for a cost of $500 - $600. The Deputy CAO is recommending that acamera be installed like the one that was there previously so that the dispatchers have a view of vehicles and planes thatare coming and going. This is good for security at theAirport. This camera can also be accessed from homewhich would be good for being able to see the snowconditions for plowing in the winter.MOVED and seconded that Council accept the DeputyCAO’s recommendation to purchase a surveillance camerafrom Norm Levesque.MOTION CARRIED

#4 Digby CountyFamily ResourceCentre The Digby County Family Resource Centre is looking at thepossibility of having a Multi-purpose community centrebuilt in the area. They are looking for a letter of supportfrom Council so that they can move forward and hire aConsultant to have a feasibility study done. They are alsolooking to have representation from Council to sit on asteering committee.MOVED and seconded that Council send a letter of supportto Digby County Family Resource Centre for this project.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia5CorrespondenceRegion of Queens –Letter to Minister Jennex Re: MunicipalFinesMOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to MinisterJennex, carbon-copied to the Region of Queens supportingthe two recommendations outlined by the Region of Queens.MOTION CARRIEDChief AdministrativeReportBudget MeetingsMaud Lewis Site The CAO report dated May, 2010 was included in theCOTW Package. The CAO noted that she needs to have a couple extrabudget meetings in order to have the budget ready forapproval by the end of June. Council discussed possibledates. The CAO has emailed the person who had been lookingafter mowing the lawn at the Maud Lewis site last year.They plan to continue this year and it has been mowedalready. The CAO is expecting an answer in regards to thetiming of the signage on the site very shortly. Request for Decisions/DirectionDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for May 2010 was included in themeeting package.There were questions regarding theowner unknown properties. It was explained that anyowner unknown properties have to be offered to NaturalResources before the Municipality can do anything with them. There was also a question regarding the redemptionperiod for the 2010 tax sale. The redemption period for the2010 tax sale ends on September 13, 2010.

Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for May 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There was a discussion regarding the rags that arecontinually being found in the pump and what can be doneabout it. The Deputy CAO advised Council that he recentlyfound out that diapers that are flushed can appear to be ragsafter they go through the system.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia6 Council felt there is a need for education in this area.Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for May, 2010 was included inthe meeting package. There was a question regarding thenumber of calls received. The Deputy CAO is going toreview these numbers with the person who prepared thereport.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for May2010 was included in the meeting package.Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateThe Strategic Priorities update for April 30, 2010 was sent outprior to the meeting.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryN/AAdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:30PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK

Opposition to Fish Farms

By Tina Comeau

SOU’WESTER



Plans to locate two Atlantic salmon aquaculture farms off the eastern shore of Long Island, N.S. have generated opposition from fishermen and local residents.

Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd., the farming division of Cooke Aquaculture, submitted an application in March to locate two aquaculture sites in Freeport and Grand Passage, off Digby Neck. The company wants to set up two salmon farms with 12 pens each, however it is also exploring whether these sites would be suitable for Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). The company says this is the practice of growing extractive species – commonly mussels and kelps – which act as natural filters alongside fed species like salmon.

The fish farms would each be 42-hectares and would house two million salmon, but the company notes that is the total lease size. It says the salmon pens are a small part of the overall area. According to the company, the entire lease site encompasses the area where the mooring lines for the pens would go. It says fishermen can still come into this area to set traps.

The sites, the company says, would create approximately 20 direct jobs at the farms, and many more indirect spinoff jobs in areas of feed production, trucking, maintenance and site repairs, restaurants and hatcheries.

But lobster fishermen in the area worry about the loss of fishing grounds and also about the impact on the lobster resource.

At a meeting of the Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 Advisory Committee in June, lobster fisherman Sheldon Dixon of Tiverton said that 100 per cent of their fishermen were against the proposed fish farms a year ago and nothing over the past year has changed their minds.

“Because of the pollution, because we can’t chance losing our livelihood,” Dixon said as reasons why they don’t want to see the fish farms in their area. Dixon also raised concern over lobsters eating the feed that is used in fish farm operations. “Do we want to be marketing lobsters that are eating this? That’s just what we need with a $3.75 lobster.”

“I really think this project has gone way too far, too early,” added Meteghan fisherman Roger LeBlanc, a port rep on the LFA 34 Advisory Committee. “The government of Nova Scotia and DFO don’t even have science on this . . . Nobody has answers for this.”

Other fishermen at the LFA meeting questioned if there has been a social-economic study carried out. Does anyone know what the impact will be of less lobsters caught in this area? Or is it just assumed the lobsters will be caught elsewhere?




A group called Save Our Bays has also been established and has formed a Facebook group. A posting on that site at the time of the Sou’Wester’s deadline noted a petition against the fish farms with more than 400 signatures had been forwarded to the province’s fisheries and aquaculture minister, along with others.

In addition to concerns over lost fishing grounds and lobster quantity and quality, some other concerns include the disposal of waste, the presence of chemicals and pesticides, and the adverse impact on eco-tourism.

Representatives of Cooke’s Aquaculture were at the LFA 34 meeting to talk about their plans and to try and alleviate concerns that fishermen have. Company representatives have also met with individual fishermen and community members and say they are willing to meet with anyone who has questions about their plans.

“We thought we had a productive committee established with the Brier Island group, including representation from the lobster fishery, however they recently informed us they no longer wish to meet with us. We have to respect their decision, but we’re disappointed,” Chuck Brown, communications manager for Cooke Aquaculture told the Sou’Wester. “We meet with other marine users in all the areas in which we operate. For example, in New Brunswick we meet regularly with fishermen to discuss concerns, anticipate potential conflicts and attempt to find the best ways to cooperate and share the marine resource.”

The company says it will give anyone interested in learning more about salmon farming tours of their operations.

Asked about the concerns being raised by lobster fishermen, the company says the last thing it wants to do is negatively impact the lobster industry.

“Many of our managers and workers are former lobster fishers and have family members who fish today. We all live and work in the communities in which we operate and we know we all have to get along,” said Brown.

In New Brunswick, the company says salmon farmers and lobster fishers have worked together to reduce the loss of fishing grounds and fishermen regularly set traps within 10 to 20 metres of the cages.

“We have installed cages over the props on all of our service vessels to prevent entanglement with fishing gear and our site workers regularly help fishermen retrieve traps should they become entangled in mooring lines,” Brown explained.

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Pot Luck Supper!

10275 Hwy 217 in Rossway. Bring your favourite dish and a friend or neighbour! If you can't bring a dish, come anyway! There's always plenty of good food.