Pam Berman

Halifax has awarded a $288-million tender to Harbour City Resources to build and operate a new composting facility over 25 years.

The new plant will replace the two aging systems operating in Burnside and Goodwood.

"It will be a state-of-the-art facility, with advanced screening and odour mitigation," said Andrew Philopoulus, HRM's&nbsp;manager of solid waste.&nbsp;"It will incorporate what's known as an airlock on all shipping doors."

The new plant will be constructed at the current Goodwood site and will be able to deal with 60,000 tonnes of organic waste a year. Harbour City Resources has built and operated facilities in Calgary, Hamilton and Guelph, Ont.

The new system will increase Halifax's annual composting costs by 17.5 per cent&nbsp;or $2.2 million.

Coun. Tim Outhit said he hopes a brand new plant will mean grass clippings will be allowed back into the green carts.

"We will be able to look at some program changes knowing that they can be accommodated in the new facility," said Outhit.&nbsp;"That's encouraging."

Halifax seeks to contain organic waste cost with long-term deal

The city will be issuing a request for qualifications this week to find out who would like to design, build, own and operate its organic composting system for the Halifax region.

New provincial regulations say compost must be 40 per cent moisture before it can be cured.

Hamilton compost

The city is hoping the new operator of the compost plants will continue composting at the existing two sites while it upgrades or builds new facilities there.

Halifax report calls for major overhaul of composting system

A new report says Halifax's composting system needs a major overhaul. It recommends shutting one plant down and making significant changes to a second site.

These leafs will soon be in paper bags

Halifax's two existing processing plants now handle 50,000 tonnes of food waste each year.

Coun. Patty Cuttell, who represents Goodwood,&nbsp;is worried about the increased truck traffic on Prospect Road.

"This is also the road to Peggys Cove," said Cuttell.&nbsp;"So could a road be put through the Ragged Lake industrial park?"

Cuttell plans to ask for a staff report to consider community compensation for the Goodwood area since it will be the host for the municipality's composting operation for another 25 years.

Update on Dorian crane collapse investigation not expected for several months

A Labour Department report into the cause of the collapse of a crane in downtown Halifax in 2019 won't be complete until next year. A lawyer representing businesses and tenants says the investigation is complex and has been slowed by the pandemic.

A toppled building crane is draped over a new construction project in Halifax on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. Hurricane Dorian brought wind, rain and heavy seas that knocked out power across the region, left damage to buildings and trees as well as disruption to transportation. 

building crane 1

The investigation into what caused this crane to fall in 2019 remains ongoing.

Canada recommits to protecting oceans, sustainable marine management

Canada has signed on to an international declaration to protect 30 per cent of ocean waters by 2030, rebuild fish stocks, reduce plastic and create a sustainability plan.

Surf was higher than usual along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia as hurricane Gert passed by.

High surf at Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia

Canada has signed on to an international declaration to set aside 30 per cent of ocean waters by 2030, rebuild fish stocks, reduce plastic and create a sustainability plan.

Meet Acadia First Nation's only new councillor

Natteal Battiste, the newest member of Acadia First Nation's band council, is also the youngest and hopes to use her position to inspire other young people to get into politics.

Natteal Battiste

Natteal Battiste was the only new candidate to win a seat in the Nov. 21 band elections. Chief Deborah Robinson and seven other incumbents were re-elected. 

Cape Breton leaders call for end of non-essential travel to island

A letter was sent to Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang requesting additional measures be taken to combat the spread of COVID-19.

A woman wearing glasses and a large necklace speaks to the camera.

Annie Bernard-Daisley is the chief of We’koqma’q First Nation. 

Annie Bernard-Daisley

Cape Breton has to do the right thing for itself, says Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley of the We’koqma’q First Nation. 

Harbour City Resources will build and operate the composting facility in Goodwood.

Halifax awards $288M tender to construct composting facility

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