Expansion of Lorneville industrial park officially approved by final vote
The Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion in Saint John, New Brunswick, is moving forward after receiving unanimous approval from the city council. However, the project has faced significant opposition from the local community of Lorneville, who have expressed concerns about environmental impacts and the proximity of industry to their homes [1][3][5].
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) process has advanced to a crucial stage, with the city council's approval signifying that key environmental and planning considerations have been addressed. The EIA, being conducted by the province's environment department, will determine whether the project can move forward [1][3][5].
The industrial park, located on the city's west side, is set to expand by 1,500 acres if the project passes the EIA. The expansion, however, will take place on land that is currently in the residents' backyards, raising concerns about the potential impacts on their homes and livelihoods [2][3].
The local opposition to the expansion has been vocal, with over 75 individuals voicing their concerns during a public hearing. Only three people spoke in favour of the expansion, leaving over 70 questions and concerns unanswered [3].
City officials, including Mayor Donna Reardon, acknowledge the challenge of balancing the needs of the approximately 800 residents of Lorneville with the broader interests of the city's 78,000 inhabitants and the economic benefits tied to the region’s rapidly growing port [3]. The city aims to create a compromise that supports industrial growth while attempting to address community concerns.
The Lorneville community, led by Adam Wilkins, one of the funders of the Save Lorneville movement, has accused the City of Saint John of not working with the community and of having no intention of meaningful engagement [4]. Ian MacKinnon, General Manager of Saint John Industrial Parks, described the project as a "once-in-a-generation growth opportunity" [3].
The forest in Lorneville, where the industrial park would be located, is home to the province's third-oldest age forest, with one red spruce tree being the fourth oldest tree in the province at over 400 years old [2]. The residents' fight for their homes and livelihoods continues as they await the results of the EIA.
This ongoing tension between economic development goals and community environmental concerns surrounding the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion remains a contentious issue in Saint John.
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/spruce-lake-industrial-park-expansion-1.6118652 [2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/spruce-lake-industrial-park-expansion-lorneville-1.6122181 [3] https://www.thetelegraphjournal.com/news/local-news/spruce-lake-industrial-park-expansion-moves-forward-with-council-approval-293433/ [4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/lorneville-residents-fight-against-spruce-lake-industrial-park-expansion-1.6118652
- Despite the ongoing opposition from the Lorneville community, city officials are striving to find a compromise that supports industrial growth while addressing community concerns, as the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion continues to advance.
- The financial benefits of the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion are seen as a significant contributing factor to the region’s rapidly growing port, according to city officials.
- The environmental impact of the industrial park expansion is of paramount importance, as the forest in Lorneville, home to the province's third-oldest age forest, could potentially be affected.
- The environmental-science and business communities have shown interest in the outcome of the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion, as the project's approval signified that key environmental and planning considerations have been addressed during the EIA process.
