Sydney low-income housing project cancelled in dispute with DND

A non-profit group in Sydney, N.S.,has pulled the plug on a plan to build low-income housing on a former radar base because of an on-going dispute with the Department of National Defence.

New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. bought the former national radar base from DND in the early 1990s. Three years ago, it was discovered that oil was leaking from underground tanks and had contaminated the soil.

Since then, New Dawn has been trying unsuccessfully to get the property cleaned up by DND.

"We need a financial settlement of this issue with DND as soon as possible," Jim Addicott, a member of New Dawn's board of directors, said Thursday.

"They've accepted responsibility, but we're getting the bureaucratic shuffle and nothing is going forward. There's lots of promises, and no delivery."

Community groups are calling on DND to settle the dispute quickly so New Dawn can build up to 30 low-income housing units on the former base.

Owen Fitzgerald, president of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, said the community can't just sit back and let a worthwhile project die.

"DND has to come and meet with us. We just can't accept the kind of news that came out today, to see a multimillion-dollar project cancelled in our community because of something that is DND's responsibility," he said Thursday.

In a brief statement issued one week ago, DND said it is working on a plan to clean up the oil contamination.

But, officials with New Dawn and the chamber of commerce said the department has not contacted them directly, and has not replied to their request to meet next week.

New Dawn, incorporated in 1976, is the oldest community development corporation in Canada and is a founding member of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network.

It is a private, volunteer directed, not-for-profit organization dedicated to community building.