Update: Woods Travel Ban Lifted.  Fire Ban to Continue

September 19, 2025: Nova Scotia’s Minister of Natural Resources has amended the woods travel proclamation to re-open wooded lands, parks and trails across Nova Scotia, effective 4 p.m., September 18, 2025.  The woods travel proclamation will remain in force for Annapolis County, where the Long Lake wildfire is ongoing.

Region of Queens Municipality’s staff are currently removing barricades at municipal wooded parks and trails, and at the Municipal leaf and yard waste site in Western Head.  We appreciate the patience of the public as staff do this work, as it does take time.

The province wide proclamations banning outdoor fires and fireworks remain in effect. Until the risk of wildfire is reduced, no outdoor fires or fireworks (consumer or commercial) are allowed anywhere in Nova Scotia. The $25,000 fine remains in place for violations.

Information about the restrictions on the BurnSafe website: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

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August 15, 2025: Region of Queens Municipality has had reports of people being on closed trails and wooded parks, as well as people moving the barricades that have been put in place to close municipal sites during the woods travel ban.

We want to remind our residents and visitors to the area that there is a fire ban, woods travel ban and a fireworks ban province wide in place by order of the Province of Nova Scotia.

During such a time, Municipal wooded trails and parks are closed for the protection of the community in compliance with the provincial bans. There is a $25,000 fine for violations of the bans.

Please stay out of the woods to keep our community safe from devastating wildfires!

• Questions about the woods travel ban, fire ban and fireworks ban can be directed to Department of Natural Resources: the Milton office can be reached by phone at 902-354-3462.

• To report a wildfire, or to report people violating any of the current bans in effect, call 1-800-565-2224 or 911.

Municipal Trails and Wooded areas of Municipal Parks Closed Effective Immediately

August 5, 2025: In support of the Province of Nova Scotia restricting travel and activities in wooded areas, Region of Queens Municipality is closing municipal trails and wooded areas of municipal parks, effective immediately, Tuesday, August 5, 2025 through to 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

The following municipal trails are closed:
• Pine Grove Park, including Anniversary Trail which connects Pine Grove Park to the Trestle Trail
• Trestle Trail, including the extension that begins at White Point Road and George Street and continues running parallel to George Street to connect to the Trestle Trail, ending on Bristol Avenue
• Meadow Pond Trail
• Queens Place Trail

Path Lake Park and Scout Camp Park are wooded parks and are closed. Other municipal parks throughout Queens County that are non-wooded, such as Tupper Park, Centennial Park, Privateer Park, Port Medway Lighthouse Park, sports fields, and playgrounds remain open.

At municipal parks that have both wooded and non-wooded areas, such as Beach Meadows Beach Municipal Park, people can enjoy time on the beach but not access the picnic area and play space in the wooded areas due to the heightened risk of forest fire.

The Municipal Leaf and Yard Waste Site in Western Head is also closed, effective immediately.
Those who use the Trestle Trail or other wooded trails as access to other parts of Liverpool or areas of Queens County, may wish to make arrangements with a transportation company such as Queens County Transit or taxi service during this time.

Closure notices are currently being posted at affected parks and trails. The closure is in effect until October 15, 2025 at 2 p.m. as proclaimed by the Province of Nova Scotia. Updates will be issued if the situation changes.

A fine of $25,000 may be levied for violations of the Fire Proclamation or for the woods Travel Ban. Please remember that until October 15, 2025 all outdoor fires are prohibited.

September 9, 2025; Liverpool, NS: Changes to the ways in which recycled materials are treated have resulted in the upcoming closure of Region of Queens Municipality’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), effective December 1, 2025. This closure will result in the loss of jobs for Region of Queens Municipality employees at the MRF. In August 2023, the Environmental Act was amended by the provincial government, which mandates that recycling of Packaging, Paper Products and Packaging-Like Products brought into Nova Scotia is at the cost of the producer. Collection, management and disposal across Nova Scotia will now be done by Circular Materials, the designated producer responsibility organization and Municipal sorting stations such as the MRF will no longer be needed.

“Council recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship, and while we are pleased that the province is expanding the extended producer responsibility for recyclable waste, it no longer makes sense for us to run a sorting station. An unfortunate consequence of this environmental shift is the loss of employment for Municipal staff,” said Scott Christian, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.

Willa Thorpe, Region of Queens Municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer said, “Our MRF staff have been an important part of the Municipality’s workforce, and we are working directly with impacted employees at the MRF site to help them transition at this difficult time.”

Residents will continue to receive curbside collection and public drop off at the Region of Queens Waste Management Facility will remain the same. The Queens Solid Waste Management Facility is located in Milton, NS, and consists of a second-generation landfill and an MRF site.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Dexter Construction will commence asphalt paving work in Liverpool on September 4th and is expected to continue until approximately September 10th.

Traffic control will be in place during this work.

The following streets/locations are included:

• Trunk 3 (Meadow Pond to Old Port Mouton Rd)
• Waterloo St (Payzant St to Ellenwood St)
• George St (King St to Amherst St)
• Henry Hensey Dr (Union St to Civic #186)
• Main St (Union St to Summer St)
• 216 & 172 Old Port Mouton Rd

We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this important work is completed to improve our streets.

To monitor air quality in communities in Queens and other areas of Nova Scotia you may be visiting, the Purple Air website is a helpful tool.  The map is in real time reading sensors citizens across the province have in place – to use it simply zoom in on Nova Scotia and look for a location, or use the search bar on the upper right corner of the map page for the location you are seeking: 

https://map.purpleair.com/air-quality-standards-us-epa-aqi?opt=%2F1%2Flp%2Fa10%2Fp604800%2FcC0#5.88/45.615/-62.5

Click on the map marker to see the data from the sensor in that community of current air quality health index (AQHI) ranking. Map markers with a black outline represent indoor sensors, while markers without this outline represent outdoor sensors. Sensors that are not actively reporting to the Purple Air map will appear gray.

When there is concerning air quality, Environment Canada issues an air quality statement or air quality warning. To check for current air quality statements from Environment Canada, please go to: https://weather.gc.ca/index_e.html?center=41.95592701,-96.43618458

Do you want to be engaged and involved in your community? There are volunteer opportunities are available on several Committees of Council.

Advisory committees help to inform the decision making of Region of Queens Municipal Council. Applications are open for members of the public to take part in these volunteer roles.

Dismantling Discrimination and Hate Committee

The Dismantling Discrimination and Hate Committee works to ensure that municipal practices and processes are inclusive to the people in Region of Queens.

The purpose of Dismantling Discrimination and Hate (EDI) is to provide Municipal Council with strong impactful advice, education, and recommendations for programs and services, while designing and implementing positive and supportive opportunities to promote and celebrate our diverse community to ensure that inclusion is achieved for all.

Applicants should have a background as a member of a marginalized community or a clear link to such, possess an open and positive mindset, be passionate about diversity and inclusion, be willing to undertake difficult discussions, understand the importance of education to reduce mistreatment of persons, and be comfortable talking about the importance of diversity and inclusion.

For more information, and to fill out an application form, please visit:
https://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/clerk-office/committees/diversity-inclusion/

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The purpose of Region of Queens Accessibility Advisory Committee is to assist Municipal Council with ensuring that all parts of the Municipality’s operations include increased awareness of the barriers faced by persons with various abilities, improving access to resources for helping persons with disabilities; strengthening supports for employees and building capacity; improving access to municipal buildings and properties; improving availability of accessible washrooms and workspaces; enhancing accessibility for persons who are visually or hearing impaired; and ensuring that the recruitment, hiring and career development processes of the Municipality are accessible.

Committee membership is open to members of the public with a disability or who represent an organization that represents persons with disabilities. Members of the public appointed to this committee should have a strong understanding of accessibility issues or be a person with a disability, be willing to participate in monthly meetings, and be able to understand government and regulatory processes

For more information, and to fill out an application form, please visit: https://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/clerk-office/committees/

Planning Advisory Committee

Invitation to Serve : Planning Advisory Committee
The Region of Queens Municipality is seeking expressions of interest from members of the public who are interested in serving on the Planning Advisory Committee. There are currently two vacancies on the Committee, which the Municipality is interested in filling (Districts 3 and 5).

You would be involved in helping to shape the future of your community.

For more detailed information, click here: https://www.regionofqueens.com/2025/07/14/volunteer-on-planning-advisory-committee/

Additional restrictions resulting from the dry weather were put in place on August 6, 2025 by the Province. All all fireworks are now included in the Fire Ban (commercial and personal).  The fine for violating the fireworks ban is the same as the fire and travel bans — $25,000 fine.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has banned all Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects anytime a Burn Ban is in effect, and it applies to all professional and personal fireworks even if they have the appropriate approvals. Municipalities have been requested to post this information on their websites and in conspicuous places across their municipalities to help raise awareness by residents and visitors.

If you have have questions about the fire ban, woods travel ban, or fireworks ban, please contact the local Department of Natural Resources Office (552 Hwy. 8, Milton), phone: 902-354-3462 for information and advice.  

The media release from the Province is online and the fireworks advisory from the Office of the Fire Marshall is also online:

Fireworks Banned Provincewide | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases

https://beta.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/documents/1-4050/office-fire-marshal-fireworks-advisory-en.pdf

All other current info regarding the provincial proclamations can be found on the Burn Safe website:  https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

Did you know that improper disposal of single use or rechargeable batteries can cause fires?

The photo we are sharing is from an actual fire caused in the Municipality of Guysborough in late July – and we have been advised that there was a fire at a transfer station in Kentville yesterday believed to be caused by a damaged lithium battery. Fortunately, it was contained to a trailer and was extinguished safely before it could spread.

Please do your part and dispose of batteries properly to help keep our workers, facilities and the environment safe!

Not sure how? Visit call2recycle.ca or recycleyourbatteries.ca to find a safe drop-off location near you!

Public Shower Facilities for residents of Queens County experiencing dry wells, or housing related issues.

Start Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
Note: There may be times due to facility events and activities where the service is not available. Advance notice will be provided in these instances.

Queens Place Emera Centre has opened a public shower facility for residents of Queens County experiencing housing related issues or dry wells. Queens Place Emera Centre is located at 50 Queens Place Dr., Liverpool, NS.

Showers will be available:
Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please bring your own towel and toiletries.
Timeslots: 20 minute increments for family units of 1-2 persons. Family units of 3+ persons have one 30 minute timeslot.

Residents can reserve timeslots by phoning the Customer Service Desk at 902-354-4422 during open hours of operation. Reserving a time in advance is not required, but is strongly encouraged to ensure the shower facilities are available upon arrival.

Upon arrival, check in at the Customer Service Desk and sign out the dressing room key.

We had a great turnout for the public consultation drop-in at the Liverpool Fire Hall on July 29, 2025, but we recognise that it wasn’t convenient for everyone to attend. If you couldn’t make it along, you can now see maps and descriptions of the proposed routes, and give us your opinion of each with the online survey at https://forms.office.com/r/gkJSG7LxXL.

Road trails now exist in many other Nova Scotia towns and RQM is investigating whether it is appropriate to do the same in Liverpool with 5 routes being proposed.

Road Trails are sections of public highway that have been designated for use by off-highway vehicles (OHV) under the Nova Scotia Road Trails Act. They allow OHV users to travel from one trailhead to another or to access shops, accommodations, and other services. To use a road trail, users and vehicles must comply with strict rules.

If this is your ring, please email info@regionofqueens.com and provide a brief description of the anchor, or call 90-354-3453, ext. 2247 to speak with Heather Cook, Communications Officer to claim your ring.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Due to a recent increase in vandalism, the gates at Etli Milita’mk Universally-Designed Playpark and Splashpad, located at 34 Old Cobbs Barn Road, Liverpool, will now be locked daily from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM.

The Region of Queens Municipality is seeking expressions of interest from members of the public who are interested in serving on the Planning Advisory Committee. There are currently two vacancies on the Committee, which the Municipality is interested in filling (Districts 3 and 5).

You would be involved in helping to shape the future of your community.

For more detailed information, click here.