July 26, 2023: Nova Scotians can now apply for disaster financial assistance related to damage from flooding.

The program covers up to $200,000 in uninsurable losses per household, small business and not-for-profit organization.

Applications are available:

• Online: https://beta.novascotia.ca/disaster-financial-assistance  (click the link)
• Access Nova Scotia centres
• MLA offices

Residents are asked to continue to assess damage, keep all receipts and take pictures and video, as well as work with their insurance companies.

Disaster financial assistance does not replace private insurance and only uninsurable damage is eligible.

People who are not sure if their insurance covers the damage should contact their insurance broker or company, or the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422.

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July 23, 2023, 2:05 p.m.: The washout on St. Catherine’s River Road in Port Joli has been repaired and the road is now reopened.

*** Please note: Kejimkujik Seaside is closed due to the washout of St. Catherine’s River Road, Port Joli. There are barricades in place for safety at the washout area. Please do not cross the barricades.

July 22, 2023, 5:12 p.m.: West Queens Recreation Centre will be open until 8 p.m. tonight (July 22, 2023) for charging devices and equipment, having a shower, water, and there is a limited amount of food available as well. West Queens Recreation Centre is located at 70 Riverhead Road, Port Mouton.

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The following flyer is being distributed on Behalf of Region of Queens Municipality’s EMO this afternoon.

Voluntary Evacuation – Saturday, July 22, 2023

St. Catherine’s River Road, Port Joli – Civic #297 to the end of the road

** departure at end of St. Catherine’s River Road, past the entrance to Keji Seaside Park at 5:00 p.m.

• Due to a washout on St. Catherine’s River Road, Port Joli, Residents beyond civic #297 are unable to exit from the road, and there is no ability for anyone to enter.

• It is anticipated that road repair by Nova Scotia Public Works will not be completed for at least 5 days.

• A one-time evacuation is being coordinated by Region of Queens EMO with the help of local Fire departments and volunteers. This evacuation will be by boat, then by bus to the West Queens Recreation Centre, 70 Riverhead Road, Port Mouton, where a Red Cross Evacuation/Registration Centre is being set up. You are welcome to stay there or find accommodation with friends/family or elsewhere.

• Boats will be at the end of St. Catherine’s River Road at 5 p.m. If there are any people in your household requiring assistance to evacuate due to a mobility challenge, please call 902-523-0206, ASAP.

• Please pack lightly and bring medication, clothing and supplies for 5 days. You are welcome to bring your pets, however will have to make your own arrangements for their accommodation.

• If you choose not to evacuate at this time, please be aware that there is no access to properties beyond #297 and medical and emergency services will be unable to access the area by road for at least 5 days.

Posted at 3:10 p.m., July 22, 2023.

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Possible Evacuation of Residents along Mersey River No Longer Required

1:50 p.m., July 22, 2023, Liverpool:  Please note, that possible evacuation is no longer required for residents along the Mersey River, in the area of Cowie Falls and the bridge in Liverpool.  Water levels have fallen to below maximum levels.  Nova Scotia Power continues to be on site at their dams and are monitoring the situation, and Region of Queens EMO remain in contact with them.

The public is advised to stay away from river shorelines as water levels remain elevated and fast moving.  As well, please stay off the roadways unless necessary, to allow emergency services and Public Works crews to do their work to keep the community safe.

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12:05 pm, July 22, 2023, Liverpool: Please note; access to 168 Tupper Street, Milton, NS is blocked due to a wash out. Tupper Street can be accessed can be accessed from either end.

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July 22, 2023; Liverpool, NS:  As a result of rising water levels from recent heavy rainfall, residents with properties along the Mersey River, Queen County and adjacent areas are advised to be prepared in case an evacuation is required, from Cowie Falls to the Bridge in Liverpool.  If an evacuation is required, it will be done door to door. A location of an evacuation registration centre will be provided at that time. 

Since 9 a.m. July 21, more than 300 mm of rain has fallen and the area has experienced severe thunder and lighting.  Nova Scotia Power is on site and monitoring the situation of its dams, and Region of Queens EMO continues to be updated on the status regularly.

Region of Queens Municipality urges the public to shelter in place unless they are contacted to evacuate.  The public is reminded to stay off roadways to allow emergency service providers to do their work. Further updates will be posted on the Region of Queens website – www.regionofqueens.com and on the Municipality’s Facebook page.

(posted: 9:51 a.m., July 22, 2023)

To facilitate manhole inspections and data collection.

Manhole inspections and data collection will be starting Monday, July 24th, 2023 and continuing through the Summer in Liverpool.

As our Engineering Students, Josh Elliott and Dominic Losier conduct this important work there will be minor traffic disruptions.  Work will begin in the southwest portion of Liverpool (Milton) and move westward toward Liverpool Harbour.

July 10, 2023; Liverpool, NS: Just in time for making summer memories, on Tuesday, July 11 at 9 a.m., the Spray Pad at Etli Milita’mk Universally-Designed Play Park in Liverpool, Queens County, NS is opening! As part of a phased opening, the Spray Pad, which is designed for all abilities, will be opening on July 11, and the playground equipment is expected to open in September (date to be announced).

With the heat of summer on the way, the cooling effects of the Spray Pad will be appreciated by residents and visitors alike. With sprinklers, fountain, filler buckets, jet spray units and more, the Spray Pad is an exciting way to interact with water, stay cool, and have fun.  

“It’s an exciting time in Queens County! Council is pleased that the Etli Milita’mk Spray Pad is opening, and in just a few months, the universally-designed playground equipment will be open as well. It has been a long journey to get to this day, and I extend a big thank you to Autism Nova Scotia and Debbie Wamboldt for pursuing this project. Special credit also goes to the many volunteers and community members who have worked hard to raise the funds to make Etli Milita’mlk Universally-Designed Playpark a reality. It will be wonderful to see all ages and abilities using the Spray Pad all summer long. September will be here soon, and the playground will be open and loved by many,” said Darlene Norman, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.

The name Etli Milita’mk was selected for the playpark after consultation with Acadia First Nation representatives. The name is Mi’kmaq and translates to “We are playing here”. The Spray Pad will be open until September from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily to all ages and abilities. It will close for a few days in late August for installation of rubber surfacing for the playground equipment. It is recommended that children under 12 be accompanied by an adult. The Spray Pad has tall (6 foot) fencing enclosing it to aid caregivers with people in their care who may wander. There are benches and shade areas as well, for user comfort.  

In 2015, a local resident, Debbie Wamboldt, approached candidates who were offering in Region of Queens Municipality’s Municipal election, and asked how they would support inclusion for residents. Wamboldt envisioned a play park in which all members of the community could play safely away from water and busy roads. Soon after the election, she approached the newly elected Council of the day, requesting support though the donation of land to site the proposed universally designed play park, and then, along with a group of supportive volunteers, set about fundraising to make the dream a reality. A planning/steering committee in partnership with Autism Nova Scotia was developed, and they (Wamboldt and members of Autism Nova Scotia) successfully approached Council for funding to supplement the community fundraising that took place and requested that the Municipality operate and maintain the playpark when completed.

The initial concept was for a universal playpark, with ramped decks, braille and audio elements as well as a Spray Pad. By November 2021, Queens Universally-Designed Play Park had exceeded their fundraising goal of $450,000; the funds are held in trust by Autism Nova Scotia, and are released as submitted invoices for the various components are completed. Design of the space in consultation with recreation professionals and people with a knowledge of accessibility and inclusion needs took place, followed by a tender process for ordering equipment, site preparation and development, as well as installation of Spray Pad components and the concrete surface throughout 2021, 2022, and 2023, with pandemic related delays along the way such as supply chain issues and staffing shortages in the manufacture and installation stages. The final stage of the playpark is expected to be completed in September, with an opening ceremony soon after completion.

 “While I am disappointed that we are hit with another delay, I feel a bit of consolation that the Spray Pad will be open for all to enjoy. We are all anxiously awaiting the completion of the park and I know it will be well worth the wait,” said Debbie Wamboldt, Queens Universally-Designed  Play Park Fundraising Committee and Spearhead of the project.

Etli Milita’mk Spray Pad is located on Old Cobb Barn Road, Brooklyn, on the grounds at Queens Place Emera Centre. Other recreational spaces on this site include Mersey Skatepark, outdoor basketball nets, a Queens Coast Playbox, Queens Place Outdoor Trail, and a sledding hill for winter use.

From July 7 – 15, 2023, Region of Queens Municipality is flying the Progress Pride flag on the Special Purpose flag pole at Town Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, 219 Main St., Liverpool, NS, in honour of South Shore Pride Week, taking place July 9 -15 in Lunenburg County, organized by Lunenburg PRIDE.

The Progress Pride Flag represents 2SLGBTQ+ communities while highlighting 2SLGBTQ+ racial diversity and transgender individuals.

There are events planned throughout the week throughout Lunenburg County, and the week kicks off with a Pride parade on July 7 in Bridgewater.

To learn more, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/LunenburgPRIDE

https://www.instagram.com/lunenburgpride

** UPDATE **
June 20, 2023, 3:02 p.m.: The current phone system at the Municipality’s Administration Building is at end of life, and we are currently pursuing other options. We appreciate your patience; and will update as the situation progresses.

Public Notice
June 16, 2023, 3:00 p.m.: Anyone who is contacting staff at Region of Queens Municipality’s Administration Building will be unable to leave a voicemail message on the phone system.The phones are working, and incoming and outgoing calls are functioning properly. Bell Aliant is looking into the issue. If members of the public are unable to reach a member of staff by phone and would like to leave a message for a return call, please call back at another time, or contact staff using email. The staff list is on our website: https://www.regionofqueens.com/staff-list

Canada Day is celebrated this weekend! 

Queens Place Emera Centre and Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility will be closed for the Canada Day holiday on Saturday, July 1. Region of Queens Municipality’s Administration Office will be closed on Monday, July 3 in observance of the holiday.

Waste collection will take place as scheduled on July 3.

If you experience a water or sewer related emergency on the municipal utility system during this time, please call our Emergency Pager at 902-354-4749.

Have a safe holiday!

June 20, 2023:  On June 21, the Special Purpose Flagpole at Town Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, 219 Main St., Liverpool, NS will fly the Sante’ Mawiomi flag, also known as Mi’kmaq Grand Council flag, in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, and to recognize that June is National Indigenous History Month.

National Indigenous Peoples Day was established in 1996 to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.

Access learning resources at: www.canada.ca/national-indigenous-history-month

#NIHM2023

Water service will be disrupted periodically throughout Monday, June 19th and Tuesday, June 20th, 2023.

 

Affected Area:

Liverpool:  Waterloo Street east of School Street, Bartling Avenue, James Street,William Street, Enos Collins Lane and Bootlegger Road.