Mistaken Point celebrates 10th anniversary of heritage designation

By Tyler Waugh / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mistaken Point earned the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designation as a World Heritage Site a decade ago, a rare distinction shared by only 18 other sites in Canada, and as plans are finalized for a July 17 event to commemorate the anniversary, folks are reflecting on the work that went on behind the scenes to make it happen, and the impact that designation has had on the community.

Former Portugal Cove South mayor Clarence Molloy, who held office when the UNESCO designation was announced, still remembers the day he got the good news.

“It was a Sunday. I remember mentioning it to Father Peter (Golden) and I think he said something church. It was a big deal for us,” said Molloy. “We thought it would bring a lot of attention and draw lots of visitors. It’s had a big impact not just for us, but the whole southern shore.”

Carol Ann Devereaux said her son, John, bought the Edge of the Avalon Inn 11 years ago with the belief that the designation would be confirmed. The business has expanded from 15 beds and 13 rooms at that point to four buildings with 40 beds.

“The only reason it’s even operating right now - and doing so well - is because of that designation. It’s one of the biggest draws for the area, we get people from all over the world,” Devereaux said, adding that about 75 per cent of clients are drawn in by Mistaken Point.

She said that the tourist traffic has not only prompted growth in the Avalon Inn, but has also been the catalyst for the creation of at least 10 AirBnB locations nearby - all of which are booked solid from June through September.

She said while the impacts were immediate, there is one change in visitor inquiries 10 years later.

“At one point we would have to promote the fact that the Mistaken Point UNESCO site was nearby. Now most of the inquiries we get are calls where the first question from them is about Mistaken Point. The word is out there now, and it’s promoting itself,” Devereaux said.

The story of Mistaken Point’s designation begins with the discovery of fossil beds by geologist Shiva Balak Misra and field assistant Paul Thompson that were the first record of Ediacara-type fauna in the Western Hemisphere.

The fossils had been hidden in plain sight, with locals aware of ‘strange markings’ in the rock, but by the 1980s Mistaken Point had been recognized as housing the oldest metazoan fossils in North America and the world’s most ancient deep-water marine fossils.

A five km coastal stretch was provisionally established as a reserve by the provincial government in 1984 and then granted a permanent designation in 1987 as a fossil ecological reserve.

Molloy recalled how preserving and promoting the site became a labour of love for several dozen volunteers over the years.

“Originally, it was a lot of residents working to try to promote it,” Molloy said, adding that pursuing the bid for a UNESCO designation included scientists and the government. “There were so many people trying to get this underway.”

The Mistaken Point Cape Race Heritage Inc, a not-for-profit organization established in 1998, has been a driving force behind Mistaken Point. Their mandate focuses on preserving, protecting, developing, and promoting the natural, historic, and cultural resources in the area.

The push to earn the designation became official on July 17, 2016 - almost 50 years after the official discovery of fossils.

Mistaken Point remains an active research site and houses an interpretation centre with official tours every day from mid-May to mid-October.

The anniversary event will take place July 17 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Portugal Cove South Town Hall. The event will include official remarks, cultural presentations, musical performances and a light reception.

For the latest info on the anniversary celebration, please visit https://www.facebook.com/mistakenpointnl. To learn more about Mistaken Point, please visit https://mistakenpoint.ca/discover/

Aquaforte calls out lack of 'moose mitigation'

By Tyler Waugh / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Aquaforte has called out the provincial government for what it calls a continued lack of action on brush cutting and moose vehicle mitigation along the Southern Shore Highway.

The June 24 letter, sent to Premier Tony Wakeham and Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll, as well as the ministers of Transportation and Forestry comes after two Bay Bulls residents were killed when their motorcycle collided with a moose on the evening of June 23.

“Another two lives were tragically lost a few nights ago as a result of a moose-vehicle collision. This follows a fatal moose accident in our community only a few years ago. Our residents are devastated, and our Town is once again reeling alongside families affected by these preventable tragedies,” reads the letter written by Town Clerk/Manager Aaron Croft on behalf of council.

“The absence of meaningful action by the Provincial Government on brush cutting and related safety measures along this highway is, at this stage, nothing short of negligent. Moose sightings on this stretch of road are constant, and daily reports of near misses have become routine. The danger is well-known, well-documented and entirely unacceptable.”

A little more than three years ago another person died on a nearby stretch of Highway 10 in Aquaforte when a motorcycle collided with a moose.

The letter did thank the Province for assistance provided to date but expressed concern and “profound frustration” that the situation has now escalated beyond what the community can reasonably tolerate.

The Town is asking MHA O’Driscoll to advocate for immediate, decisive action.

While the council is expressing frustration over years of inaction when it comes to brush cutting in the community, O’Driscoll and his Progressive Conservative colleagues only took over government in November, following 11 years of Liberal administration.

“We cannot afford another needless tragedy,” reads council’s letter. “Our residents deserve safe roadways, and the families affected deserve to know that their losses have prompted real change.”

Some campers wearing out their welcome in scenic Petty Harbour

By Tyler Waugh / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove council will erect signage advising visitors there is no overnight parking allowed at the scenic viewpoint lookout in response to an increasing number of campers on site.

The Town’s chief administrative officer, Mandy Dinn, brought it to council’s attention at the June 29 public meeting that the lookout has regularly been full of overnight camping traffic. She noted that overnight camping was not the intended use for the scenic viewpoint, adding that campers hamper safe daytrip visits.

“The purpose of the lookout was for getting cars to pull in safely off the road rather than being lined up and getting pictures at the side of the road,” Dinn said, adding the spot has even been mentioned on a camping-related page on Facebook.

“I did notice this morning, actually when I drove past, four campers lined up in a row,” she said. “It was virtually impossible for a car to pull in safely.”

Councillor Nancy Bungay said that right now nobody can use the space to stop and enjoy the view. She suggested the Town put up signs informing campers that there is no overnight parking at that location, similar to other spots in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove and other communities across the province.

“There’s been six campers in there over the weekend, every single night and every single day of the week now,” Bungay said.

Mayor Ed Dyke cautioned that if you are going to make a rule, you need to be able to enforce it.

However, council agreed that signage should discourage overnight camping among those who respect the rules.

Council then passed a motion to install the warning signs.

Land expropriated for temporary road

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative, The Irish Loop

The Department of Transportation has expropriated land on both sides of the river where a temporary road will be located while it replaces the bridge in Cape Broyle near 249 and 251 Main Road.

The expropriation was necessary because ownership of the land could not be determined.

“Residents may notice increased activity in the area as preparations for this project begin. We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation while this important infrastructure work is completed,” stated the Town.

Any person claiming title to, or an interest in the affected land, or who has been detrimentally affected by the expropriation is required to submit notice to the Minister of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure no later than Aug. 13, 2026.

Property owner gets one more chance to deal with dilapidated property

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative, The Irish Loop

A Main Street property owner has received one last chance to deal with a dilapidated property and vehicle before Petty Harbour council takes action at the owner’s expense.

The town had sent a repair and/or removal order to the owner of 29 Main Road, but that notice expired on June 6, and so the matter was brought to council chambers on June 15 .

Deputy Mayor Irene Stack confirmed with CAO Mandy Dinn that the letter was received by the owner.

“They were received through an email confirmation,” Dinn replied. “The Canada Post ones weren’t picked up, and that’s not uncommon.”

Council had a few options for next steps, which included confirming the state of the building’s disrepair through an engineering report and proceeding with removal if deemed necessary. Dinn told council that she received some cost estimates for an engineering report and the cheapest quote was $1,000.

Councilors asked whether it would be appropriate to send a second notice before taking the next step. Mayor Ed Dyke advised council that the town went through this same scenario a few years back with the same individual, saying that it was two to three years before action was taken.

“From past experience with this property owner, it has been dragged out, dragged out and dragged out,” Dyke told council.

In that instance, the Town had a lawyer send a removal order, which was acted upon.

Stack made a motion that the town lawyer draft and send a removal order with a 14-day window.

“Including in that order, the Town will be proceeding with the (engineering) report and removal at the owner’s expense,” stated Stack, adding that the vehicle would also be included in that order.

Dinn stated that any expenses incurred would be added to the person’s tax account.

The motion was approved.

Witless Bay welcomes four women as part of new fire recruit group

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Five new members have joined the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department since the end of May, and four of them are women.
Fire Chief Jack Gatherall said the influx of female volunteers is a huge step forward for the department.
“It shows the fire department is an open, progressive and welcoming team - breaking down the old boys club mentality and empowering younger women to take on these critical roles,” Gatherall reported to council at the June 9 public meeting.
He went on to say that the onboarding and training process has also come a long way, as the department plans to train and ease new recruits into a more active role.
“Long gone are days where you started on one night and immediately got handed a pager or a key,” said Gatherall. “To ensure the highest level of safety these recruits will undergo proper rigorous training.”

The fire chief added that the new recruits begin shadowing veteran members on calls later in the summer.
With these new additions, Gatherall said the department now has 33 active members and is closing the recruitment window for the remainder of 2026.
He also provided council with an update on some individual member certifications and training that the town had invested in.
“Sending members to these courses isn't cheap, but the specialized knowledge, hands-on skill, and regional networking that they bring back to our town is priceless,” Gatherall said.
He also told council that the department is working on a five-year operational plan to give to the fire department committee in July. He said it will be a comprehensive plan to map out a route moving forward, including projecting what new gear will be needed and when equipment will be retired and need to be replaced.
Council later approved an expense of $3,750, plus HST, for specialized rope rescue training sessions for the department, as well as a purchase of a specialized forestry pump and hose kit at a cost of $6,044 plus HST.

Petty Harbour council worried breakwater construction may impact new paving

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Folks in Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove should soon see some new pavement along Main Road and Long Run Road, based on a recent correspondence put out by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

During the June 15 public meeting, however, councillor Nancy Bungay raised concerns about timing of the paving project and the potential impact of all the heavy truck traffic that will be associated with the upcoming harbour breakwater project slated for a potential start date this year and completion sometime in 2027.
 “They are doing a breakwater, we are getting a new road … soft new pavement and all these heavy massive trucks driving over brand-new pavement, is this going to impact it? Are (Transportation and Infrastructure officials) aware that this is happening?” Bungay asked. “In my opinion that is just as bad as cutting pavement.”
Mayor Ed Dyke believed that Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll was aware, but that when it came to government officials, he didn’t know.
“From my understanding, the road they are replacing is supposed to stand up to that, it’s supposed to be the same as the Trans Canada Highway, but I guess that’ll have to be a battle we take on when it happens,” Dyke said.
Dyke asked staff to send out another reminder to residents about the Transportation and Infrastructure notice, with Dinn responding that they would do so within the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, the town recently notified resident by email and social media that the department will not be allowing cross-cutting or cutting into pavement for two years following the installation of the new pavement.

Town CAO Mandy Dinn brought the matter forward during the June 15 council meeting.
“I just wanted to bring it to council’s attention and to residents’ attention that if anybody plans to hook into sewer or water within the next little while it is recommended to do it as soon as possible to avoid the two-year timeframe where they are not going to be permitting you to do so,” said CAO  Dinn, adding that she also sent a copy of the notification off to the town’s engineer.
Deputy Mayor Irene Stack assumed that the moratorium would not apply to water main breaks or other emerging situations that cannot wait two years. Dinn confirmed that it only applies to planned projects.

Fish sauce cleanup contract awarded

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Irish Loop

Something stinks in St. Mary’s, but not for too much longer.

News that the tender to clean up a decade-long stench from an abandoned fish sauce plant has been awarded and work is slated to begin at the end of June, is like a breath of fresh air for Mayor Steve Ryan and the rest of the community.

“It’s been so long dealing with this, you almost can’t believe it’s going to be over. You almost lose hope, that it’s never going to happen,” said Ryan.

The smell emanates from the abandoned Atlantic Seafood Sauce Company location, which opened around 1990 but has been inactive for more than 20 years.

Council awarded the tender June 5 to Capital Crane Limited/Capital Environmental Limited out of Mount Pearl, what they described as the lowest compliant bidder, at an amount of $1,740,385.

The work will clean up more than 100 tanks of fermented fish sauce and waste that has accumulated on the floor. Ryan said the sauce will have to be solidified before it can be transported to the waste facility.

“This is going to take all summer, but it’s worth it to get it done,” said Ryan, adding that removal activity should be complete sometime in September.

Other bids listed on the tender website merx.com included Coady Construction ($2,885,300), Can-Am Platforms ($1,970,077.40), Groundforce Contracting ($1,495,000), and GFL Environmental ($1,779, 388).

The tender amount was beyond the project budget, which is held with the province, and the Town began working with the province on a budget adjustment. Ryan said he got good news on that front from the province on June 8.

“I was talking to the minister with a message from the premier saying they got us,” Ryan said.