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Central Nova Scotia Regional Transit Study
Central Nova Scotia Regional Transit Study
The Municipality of Colchester and the Town of Truro have commissioned a study to examine the feasibility of a public transit service for the region. Public transit offers the potential to reduce transportation emissions and reliance on passenger vehicles, address energy poverty, and ensure equitable access to jobs, housing, amenities, and services in the region.
The geographic scope for this study is all of Colchester County, which has a population of around 51,500 people and includes the towns of Truro and Stewiacke, the Municipality of Colchester, and Millbrook First Nation. Thousands of people travel into and out of Truro and Central Colchester from all over the region for employment, education, and services. The study will evaluate the best way to serve residents moving within the urban core, along well-traveled corridors into and out of the urban core and employment centres, and between rural communities.
In July 2024, the Municipality of Colchester and the Town of Truro received funding for this project from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, administered by the NS Federation of Municipalities. Staff awarded the contract for the study to Arcadis Professional Services Inc in December 2024 and held the project kick-off meeting in January 2025. The study is expected to conclude by the end of September 2025.
Public Engagement
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Coming soon:
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Contact
Questions about the Regional Public Transit Feasibility Study can be directed to Sustainability Planner Joanna Burris at (902) 897-3170 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Plan It Colchester
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Plan It Colchester Municipal Planning Stradegy Engagament
The Municipality of the County of Colchester is launching Plan It Colchester - a project to develop a County-Wide Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB). Much of the County is unplanned, resulting in an organic form of growth and development over the years. Colchester, like the rest of Nova Scotia, has seen a recent population increase, and with a growing population comes pressure for new development. Without planning in place, communities have no say in where and how their communities grow and change.
Recognizing the changing dynamics of development in Nova Scotia, the Provincial Government passed Bill 58 in 2018, an amendment to the Municipal Government Act that requires every municipality to develop and adopt planning that meets the minimum planning standards. This project will bring Colchester County into compliance with the new provincial regulations, while also presenting an important and exciting opportunity for residents to help shape the vision for the future of their communities. Plan It Colchester will rely heavily on feedback from the community to help shape the vision, guiding principles and policies that will determine how the Municipality grows and develops.
Quick Definitions
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Municipal Government Act (MGA): The primary legislation that governs the structure, powers, and responsibilities of municipal governments in the province of Nova Scotia. It empowers municipalities to create bylaws, make planning decisions, and ensure local community development in accordance with provincial laws. |
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Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS): A comprehensive policy document created by the Municipality to guide land use and development within its jurisdiction.The MPS sets long-term goals and objectives for the community, addressing issues like zoning, growth management, transportation, housing, environmental protection, and public services. It must address the statements of provincial interest outlined in the MGA. |
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Land Use Bylaw (LUB): A municipal regulatory document that is used to implement the land use policies provided in the MPS through land use bylaws. It ensures that land development aligns with the municipality's planning goals, helps avoid conflicts between different types of land uses, and manages the physical form and appearance of the community through zoning |
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A municipal regulatory document that is used to implement the land use policies provided in the MPS through land use bylaws. It ensures that land development aligns with the municipality's planning goals, helps avoid conflicts between different types of land uses, and manages the physical form and appearance of the community through zoning
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| An interactive online zoning map that allowed residents to explore proposed land use changes and provide feedback digitally |
| A public online form for submitting thoughts and suggestions on the draft plans |
| Direct communication via email or phone with consultants, providing a personalized way for residents to discuss specific concerns or ideas |
| Fact Sheets that summarized five key topics covered in the draft plans, presented in a short, accessible format for easy understanding |
| Stakeholder Meetings with adjacent municipalities and key community interest groups to gather input from organizations and regional partners with a vested interest in the planning process |
Project Updates
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What is an MPS? How is it different from an LUB?
How Can I Participate?
The Municipality is launching public consultation for Plan It Colchester and we want to hear from residents about their vision for the future! This is an exciting opportunity to help co-design the evolution of growth and development in communities throughout Colchester County. There will be multiple opportunities to participate and share your vision for the future of your community throughout late Winter and early Spring.
The Open House events will be an opportunity to learn a bit more about the planning process and the project more generally, and to talk directly with the project team and ask questions. The Online Open House Presentation will be recorded for those who cannot attend in person and will be uploaded to the municipal website for viewing on demand. The Pop Up Events will be held at public locations throughout the Municipality and will be a casual opportunity to share feedback with the project team. There are also be a number of online activities, both available now - a Public Survey and an Online Interactive Mapping Activity. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to fill out and asks a variety of questions about your community, what you like, what the challenges are and what you’d like to see in the future. The Online Interactive Map allows you to leave comments about your community on the map - letting the project team know about area specific issues and concerns, as well as what you love and value about your community. These online activities will be open for the duration of the engagement period and residents can participate at their convenience. Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/PlanItColchester Check out the Online Interactive Map: https://upland.mysocialpinpoint.ca/plan-it-colchester The Online Group Discussions will be an opportunity to delve deeper into specific issues, such as agriculture, coastal issues, and housing. Dates to be determined. In Person:
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Engagement Timeline
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Stay tuned for updates as engagement dates and locations are finalized. More information will be available on this page and via the Municipality’s social media pages.
To reach the project team, you can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..