Coastal Development and Access

 

Most of St. Margaret’s Bay is zoned “Mixed Use” and is governed by “as of right” rules.  A land owner can put up

pretty much anything anywhere. These rules, our Land-use By-laws and Municipal Planning Strategies,

were developed many years ago, long before amalgamation and higher density, when the area was still rural. 

On both the Halifax Regional Municipailty side, and on the Lunenburg County side, development on the Bay

is "managed" by a complex array of over 14 disconnected regulatory authorities at all three levels

of government.  There is no coordinated, integrated plan in place to guide coastal development so

that it is sustainable and reflects the collective vision of the people of the Bay. The issues of climate change,

erosion and coastal flooding due to sea level rise is a whole other kettle of fish.

 

Our Position and Proposed Solutions

 

We seek to engage the people of the Bay in a continuing community visioning process based on respect for

the natural world which surrounds us and evolving development patterns.  How can we hold onto those

qualities of our life we value most and make sure that we hand them on to succeeding generations

in even better condition than we received them. This includes talking about climate change as a reality

and educating ourselves about how best to cope with it. 

 

We will work closely with other organizations through the Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia to guide the evolution

of government policy like Nova Scotia's new Coastal Framework, in particular to encourage cooperation

between not only the numerous provincial agencies involved in coastal issues, but also the

various agencies of the municipal and the federal government.

 

We will also establish strong working relationships with government staff and elected representatives

at all three levels of government to realize the Bay's community vision and ensure it is reflected in law.

 

 

NOVA SCOTIA NEEDS A COASTAL ACT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Nova Scotia our relationship with the coast defines us. We are tied to the coast in everything we do. It is our most important and possibly most endangered resource. What are we doing to protect it?

 

We all pay the price for bad development; and we all benefit when we do thing right. The Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia believes a Coastal Act will help us make the best choices when locating new coastal industries.

A Coastal Act would define coastal principles on which we all agree.

 

A Coastal Act would clearly define who is responsible.

A Coastal Act would enable effective coastal management.

Who will benefit? We all will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia and its partner organizations including the

St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association is working towards new legislation.

 

For more information about these issues and the coalition's work

 

go to the website and/or download the brochure

 

 

 

Coastal Access

 

The St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association is also seeking ways and means to 

make more access points to the shoreline of the Bay available to the public.

We will keep you updated on our progress.