Arviat mayor hopes residents join consultation over tank farm proposal
Project restarted last year after backlash erupted over proposed location
Arviat residents will be able to have their say on a new tank farm during a community consultation Wednesday evening. (File photo)
Arviat’s mayor is encouraging residents to take part in a community consultation this week for a new fuel tank farm, after public backlash last year prompted a restart of the project.
Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. said the hamlet council will meet with staff from the Government of Nunavut’s petroleum products division Wednesday. That evening at 7 p.m., residents can go to the community hall for a consultation to hear what’s being planned and voice their opinions.
“There is no hidden agenda,” Savikataaq said in an interview.
“Up to this point, no site selections or even possible selections have been talked about. We’ll start to talk about possible site selections and the pros and cons, and listen to the people on what they want.”
The proposed site of a new Arviat tank farm proved controversial last year.
A group of residents launched a petition to pause development on a new facility, citing health and environmental concerns related to its proposed location.
The petition received more than 700 online signatures, and the hamlet council responded by asking the GN to restart the project.
Last July, Nunavut’s Minister of Community and Government Services David Joanasie said his department would work with Arviat on restarting the process and moving on to the next steps.
Arviat “badly” needs a new tank farm with a larger capacity to store jet fuel, Savikataaq said.
The hamlet has been advertising this week’s consultation, and he is hoping for a good turnout.
“My hope is that people show up and voice their concerns,” he said.
“We don’t want any further delays, and we’ll make a decision once everything has been looked at.”
As of late Monday, the Department of Community and Government Services did not respond to Nunatsiaq News’ request for more information about the consultation.
I hope they send a personal invite to Nooks Lindell! He only missed all of the other community consults before he started his petition!
Would this be the same mysterious petition that has never been submitted to the Council? The famous online petition with e-signatures from all over the planet but very few from Arviat? Please submit the petition, yes the one that contained misleading statements, so it can be verified by the Council to see how many actual Arviat residents actually signed it.
I hope the new Council member who is an active member of this group declares conflict of interest.
As a councilor that just recently got elected if they did get elected because of their concerns for the fuel tank farm location then they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing by participating in such discussions.
Council is suppose to represent the People.
you got that right, represent the PEOPLE. Not just a few elite and privileged well connected people. All PEOPLE
Nooks spoke up like any citizen should and could. He deserves our applause not ridicule. The days of govt ruling like kings is over; consult properly or die, projects!
The Arviat tank farm debacle shows how incompetent and stubborn Hamlet of Arviat (the previous council) and CGS were in their site selection. Great reporting from CBC has uncovered the hypocrisy and corner cutting that was involved.
Do better. Chose a better spot for your tank farm, or face further delays and legal action from residents.
Don’t one of group members that is bent on crying foul about the proposed tankfarm location have her home house located right a the town’s boat launch? It’s funny how they’re complaining about development in a particular area while at the same time building a residential unit in an area where they were not supposed to.
Tell nooks Lindell he’s beloved people need gas to go and hunt more caribous to sell to baffin Island people.
So did Nooks lindell attended the meeting last night?
I am in support of what he did, but I really hope he went to the meeting to voice concerns and his ideas what the kind of location he thinks would be best for the whole community.
He is busy looking out the window and could not make it to the meeting
Use those unheard and go on radio. Why not have it heard first and make it open on radio shows.