Letter to Premier Houston Exploration of Uranium

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Council passed a motion to request that the Province pause the RFP process for exploration of uranium in East Dalhousie, which is in the LaHave River watershed, to allow for sufficient time for meaningful consultation with First Nations and the public.

Mayor McLean-Wile, on behalf of Council, wrote to the Premier requesting a pause in exploration and asking that serious consideration be given to the concerns raised by MODL Council and other municipalities throughout the province.

To view the letter in its entirety, click pdf Letter to Premier Houston(583 KB) .

News release: Council Partnering with Community to Build Pickleball Courts

After a year of collaboration and problem-solving, the District of Lunenburg is moving ahead with a new plan to build accessible pickleball courts at the Municipal Activity and Recreation Centre (MARC) in Dayspring.

In 2023, Council included $800,000 in its capital budget to construct six accessible pickleball courts. However, when the project was tendered in early 2024, the bids received were significantly over budget—$1.45 million and $1.8 million, respectively. At that time, Council made the difficult decision to decline the tenders due to the high cost and committed to working with the community to find a more affordable path forward.

Since then, staff and the South Shore Pickleball Club have worked closely together to revise the project scope, identify cost savings, and explore funding partnerships. Thanks to that collaboration, Council is now able to move ahead with a plan to build the courts at the MARC. The Municipality will pay for the cost of construction, estimated to be roughly $555,000. We expect grants from other levels of government and third parties to total $150,000. With the lease payments over 15 years, we expect the total cost to the Municipality to be less than $300,000.

“We heard loud and clear how important this facility is to our residents,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “While last year’s bids were far beyond what we could responsibly commit to, we didn’t give up. Thanks to the dedication of our staff and the incredible support and partnership of the South Shore Pickleball Club, we now have a plan that gets the project done without exceeding our financial limits.”

“The construction of these courts will be the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration. We are thrilled that our many dedicated members, which includes provincial, Atlantic, and national champions, are going to have increased access to court time,” says Jared Uhlman, President, South Shore Pickleball Club. “We’re also excited for these courts to serve as a catalyst for introducing many new players to North America’s fastest-growing sport. Our heartfelt thanks go to Council and staff for their invaluable support in making this exciting initiative a reality.”

The South Shore Pickleball Club will operate and maintain the courts, with scheduled time set aside for use by the general public (non-club members) and for District-led recreation programming.

More information about construction timelines and project details will be shared with the public as they are finalized.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Communication and Public Engagement
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328

Notice of Adoption - Neighbourhood Nuisance By-law

The District of Lunenburg conducted Second Reading on May 13, 2025 and passed a motion to approve and adopt By-law 050 Neighbourhood Nuisance.  The By-law is effective as of May 21, 2025 and is now available to be viewed on our website at https://www.modl.ca/index.php?option=com_docman&view=list&layout=table&slug=municipal-by-laws&own=0&Itemid=281&lang=en

Click  pdf Public Notice(440 KB) to view it in its entirety. 

Important notice for the residents of the Midville and District Fire District

The Midville and District Fire Department ratepayers meeting held on May 6, 2025, had a low resident attendance.  This meeting provides residents the opportunity to review the departments budget and set a tax rate for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Therefore, another ratepayer meeting on June 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm will be held at the Midville & District Fire Department.  Any questions, please contact chief Adam Hubley at 902-298-4240 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Municipality Awards Annual Grant Funding

Each year, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg offers an Annual Operating and Major Recreation Capital Grant program to its non-profit groups to support the many volunteers and volunteer groups that make our communities vibrant, welcoming, and resilient.

This year, under the 2025-2026 Annual Operating Grant Program, the Municipality awarded $99,701 to 43 organizations. Under the Major Recreation Capital Grant Program, the Municipality awarded $52,359 to 8 organizations, enabling them to undertake transformative projects that will promote a more vibrant community.

“Each year, Council is proud to support the volunteers and non-profit groups who strengthen our communities with significant funding investments,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “Through these grant programs, we’re helping to fund important projects and services that make the District of Lunenburg a better place to live, work, and play.”

Municipal staff will be reaching out to community groups shortly to update them on their grant applications.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Communications and Public Engagement
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328

2025 Ratepayers Ad

The following Fire and Emergency Service Providers of Lunenburg Municipality invite the public to attend their Annual Rate Payers Meeting.

This meeting will provide you with the information needed to VOTE on your fire tax rate for 2025/2026. Fire Departments are now required to provide their budget documents at least one week in advance of their scheduled meeting; therefore, please contact the name next to your fire service provider to find out if any changes are proposed to your fire rate and where you can get a copy of the proposed budget. 

NOTE: In order to vote at your ratepayer meeting your name must appear on your tax bill notice and you must be a ratepayer within the fire district area the meeting is being held. (A copy of your Tax Assessment Bill on the meeting night could be of assistance)

pdf 2025 Ratepayers Ad(468 KB)

Property Regulations (Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning) Open House

The Municipality has been actively working on municipal-wide land use planning to help shape vibrant, sustainable communities for the future. Launched in 2020, this multi-year project focuses on updating key planning documents, including the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB), to guide development, support community needs, and meet the province’s mandate for land use planning across Nova Scotia.

A key part of this project is introducing zoning for all areas of the municipality, affecting every property. Zoning helps manage growth, protect important resources, and ensure our communities are thoughtfully planned for the years ahead.

The first draft documents were shared with Council and the public on March 13, 2025.

• These were intended as drafts only. They can and will change as we hear from the public over the next few months.
• We are committed to ensuring every property owner in the District knows about this project. We will be sending a direct letter or postcard to every single resident to advertise the open houses.
• We’ll also advertise the open houses and Council meetings on Facebook, CKBW, in the South Shore Bulletin, in Municipal Matters, in our monthly email newsletter (modl.ca/communication), and on this website.

 On March 13, 2025, the draft documents were posted as part of the Planning Advisory Committee agenda on the Engage site, and distributed to Council and the public. The documents were intended as drafts, to be reviewed and discussed by both the Planning Advisory Committee, Council, and the public over a series of months through extensive public engagement.

However, we have heard loud and clear from residents that many have serious concerns with the drafts. The overwhelming majority of comments expressed deep concern over possible restrictions on small scale agriculture. There were also general concerns that the draft documents are too restrictive for the District of Lunenburg.

At the March 25, 2025 Council meeting, Council passed a motion “that Municipal Council direct staff to prepare a second draft of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law that is less restrictive and closer in line to the mandatory minimum planning requirements outlined in the Municipal Government Act.” You can watch Council's discussion at the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uP1wiDqpcUY?t=936s

As staff rewrite the draft documents, we need to hear directly from residents about their concerns. Our public engagement events are beginning immediately, with efforts that will see staff and Council attend dozens of formal and informal events throughout every district. We will advertise these opportunities through a direct mail postcard to all residents, print and radio ads, and social media sharing. The complete list of engagement events is available at https://engage.modl.ca/modl2040 under the Open Houses and Events tab.

Can't attend an event? You can submit your thoughts by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or you can call a Planner Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm. If you reach our voicemail message, please leave your name and number and a Planner will call you back before the end of day, or the next morning.

Help Protect the District of Lunenburg’s Drinking Water!

Help Protect the District of Lunenburg’s Drinking Water!

We’re seeking households with dug or drilled wells to participate in hydrogeological data collection.

By joining this initiative, you’ll be helping to build a safer, more resilient water future for the District of Lunenburg.

The expected completion date will be May 31,2026. During this time, we will periodically collect data and conduct surveys. You will be asked to:

1. Participate in initial and follow-up surveys.
2. Allow periodic monitoring of your well-water levels and quality through remote monitoring and field visits.

Your active involvement throughout the study period is essential for gathering comprehensive data and insights. At the end of the study, you will receive regular reports on the findings from the study. These reports will include insights into your well’s water quality and levels, as well as any potential risks identified. We will also provide recommendations for managing and improving your well-water resources.

Limited spots available! Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

Public Information Session for Osprey Village Planning Amendments

A public information session is scheduled to discuss proposed amendments to the Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw of the Osprey Village Planned Area. The objective of the amendments is to ensure the planning policies and regulations of Osprey Village better reflect the land use opportunities and restrictions present in the community by permitting appropriate residential development on unserviced land, expand areas that permit residential and commercial uses, and protect open space that is otherwise undevelopable.

The session will take place on February 5, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Council Chambers in the Municipal Office, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville.

Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the proposed amendment and ask questions.

If you are unable to attend the event in person, you are also invited to participate in the Public Information Session by:

1. joining us online on February 5^th at 6:30 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/@modlnovascotia

2. writing a comment on a Facebook post;

3. sending an e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(External link);

4. sending a letter at 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS, B4V 9E4.

If you have any questions on this review, please send us an e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Notice of Intention to Adopt Cluster Development Regulations

On, January 28, 2025, Municipal Council passed First Reading on an amendment to establish Cluster Development regulations. The proposed regulations will guide how development of six or more units on one partially or entirely unserviced lot are permitted through the development agreement approvals process.

A public information session will be held prior to a public hearing and second reading to give residents opportunities to learn about the regulations and ask questions. Details about this session will posted in the coming weeks.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 11. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and will be held in Municipal Council Chambers at 10 Allee Champlain Drive, Cookville.

To stay updated about this project, including times and dates for the information session, please click here where you can sign up for our newsletter updates in the Stay Informed section of our engagement website for this project.

For further information, contact the Planning Department offices at 902-530-2802, or visit engage.modl.ca/cluster-development-regulations.

Posted January 28, 2025 at 11:03am.

Council First Reading for Cluster Development Regulations

On January 28, 2025, the Cluster Development regulations will be brought forward to the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg's (MODL) Council in the form of amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held in Municipal Council Chambers at 10 Allee Champlain Drive, Cookville. Council meetings are open to the public and any interested residents are encouraged to attend. To view Council's agenda for January 28, 2025, click here.

The amendments to MODL’s planning documents contain the regulations for cluster developments. The Land Use By-law will define what developments these regulations apply to. To view the proposed Land Use By-law, click here. 

The Municipal Planning Strategy outlines the procedure by which cluster developments are permitted by development agreement, the requirements that such a development agreement can contain, and the provisions for non-conforming (grandfathered) bare land condominiums, among other policies. To view the proposed Municipal Planning Strategy, click here.

A staff report is available by clicking here. Next steps in this process involve a public information session and a formal public hearing. This website will be updated as soon as dates and times are confirmed.

Notice of Expiry – Cluster Development First Reading

On December 27, 2024, the regulations establishing the Cluster Development regulations reached the one-hundred-and-fifty-day expiry period and are no longer in effect. Under section 246 (4) of the Municipal Government Act, a proposed land-use by-law amendment which has not come into full effect within this timeframe becomes inactive. Council may choose to re-initiate the process by approving first reading again. For more information, including project documents, please click here.