By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Irish Loop
Members of Petty Harbor-Maddox Cove have learned that site preparation for a proposed new breakwater is set to take place during the busy summer months.
That’s according to the environmental registration document filed with Environment, Conservation and Climate Change.
“We would prefer (construction) did not happen in June, July, August because of the tourist traffic, number one, and number two the fishery is on the go at that time and how much of an impact would that have on that,” said Mayor Ed Dyke during the June 1 public meeting, adding that council had previously outlined these concerns to the project engineers.
The harbour’s current breakwater was built in 1966 and has sustained a lot of damage over the years. It was announced in November 2025 that $8 million has been set aside in the federal budget for a new breakwater. The project feasibility study is complete with funding from the 2024 federal budget.
The port authority is proposing to construct a 120-metre rubble mound breakwater on the east side of the small craft harbour marina. The proposed breakwater will extend north across the waters of Petty Harbour, but the head of the breakwater will pivot to the west. The breakwater will be composed of a core substrate, covered in filter stone, then covered again in approximately two layers of armour stone of differing sizes.
A 230-metre extension to the town’s effluent pipeline is also proposed, with the sewer outfall relocated to the seaward side of the proposed breakwater.
Some other feedback considerations discussed June 1 centred around whether to support removing or leaving a proposed access road required for the project.
“An access road will be constructed east of the Petty Harbour SCH property boundary to provide access to the project site during construction. Direct access to the road will likely be located behind the fish plant on the southeastern corner of the property,” stated councillor Kayla Parsons, reading from the environmental registration document. “The access road will hug the shoreline to avoid impacting an area below the highwater mark. Currently, the access road is assumed to be a temporary structure, however it has been noted that it would be more cost effective to leave the access road in place after construction.”
Council deferred a decision on formal feedback until the next public meeting. The deadline for public comments is June 26. The minister’s decision is due July 5.
