Located on the Rideau River, north of Long Island in Manotick,Nicolls Island Road was at one time, eroding into the river due to slope failure and represented a significant danger to residents, including the possibility of complete loss of access to their homes.
Engineering studies have shown that this erosion would lead to complete road failure at any point in time.
Residents have been calling for action to resolve this problem for 20 years, first with Rideau Township and Regional Government , now with the City of Ottawa and Parks Canada.
Nicolls Island Community Association (NICA) was formed on March 20, 1996. The association was formed so a number of issues could be addressed. The most important issue is the rapid erosion and destabilization of the east bank; Destruction of natural vegetation, loss of trees. This is causing road failure and soon will prevent heavy vehicles such as fire department, emergency vehicles and essential service vehicles from gaining access to Nicolls Island homes.
The NICA Executive has been to over 60 meetings withRideau Township, City of Ottawa and federal government officials since 1996
In late 2005, the city presented to the Executive of the Nicolls Island Community Association a proposal for repair of the road and its embankment, including a provision for 10% of $800,000, the total costs to be recovered from Nicolls Island homeowners through a local improvement levy. Acceptance of this proposal by the residents was communicated back to the city on January 22, 2006.
After many unsuccessful inquires to the City of Ottawa, between 2006 and 2008, Ian Hawtrey, NICA Chair, decided to put a call in to Federal MP Pierre Poilievre's direct line, to let him know how concerned he was with the City of Ottawa's lack of response and progess.
A few weeks later, Ian received a call from Mr. Poilievre's assistant asking him to write a letter to Pierre explaining his concerns.
After Pierre Poilievre received a letter from the NICA Executive, a meeting was scheduled with Pierre, NICA Executive, Councillor Glenn Brooks, Parks Canada, and a representative from the Minister of Environment.
Meeting was held in Federal MP Pierre Poilievre's office on August 20, and Sept 3, 2008. Lawyers from the federal government and the City of Ottawa met at city hall on Sept 11, and it was reported that there was considerable progress made.
At the meeting of Sept 23, 2008, the city of Ottawa representatives were strongly advised by the federal MP, to put pressure on the city to get an assessment of property the city is interested in purchasing, to guarantee access to Nicolls Island for heavy equipment to get through e.g. fire trucks, fuel trucks, septc trucks hydro vehicles etc. The city representatives
informed us that the meeting of Sept 11, was very progressive.
The next meeting in Pierre Poilievre's office will be Wednesday October 29, 2008. As at previous meetings, Pierre and his staff, city councillor for ward 21 and his staff, Parks canada, the executive of Nicolls Island Community Association, and a representative from Enviornment Canada will be attending.
Sept 29, 2008 Engineers from the City of Ottawa were sent to Nicolls Island to do an updated cost assessment.
Sept 29, 2008 At ward 21 meeting, the subject of Nicolls Island came up as to how serious the situation is and what needs to be done.
Nov 5, 2008 A meeting was held at Pierre Poilievre's office and the city told us that Nicolls Island is now in the 2009 City Budget.
Councillor Glenn Brooks and the city are working very hard with Parks Canada and the NICA Executive to help solve the Nicolls Island crisis.
The city budget deliberation will be on Dec 1, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Ian Hawtrey made a presentation to Ottawa Council Budget Deliberations on Dec 4/08.
The Ottawa Council Budget Debates are now on. They started Friday Dec. 5, 2008 and will continue the week of Dec 8, 2008.
Dec. 10, 2008 The Nicolls Island project funding was included in the budget approved by council today. There was a great deal of interest in this project from a number of Councillors who were very intent on finding savings through deferring some of the projects, but ultimately Councillor Brooks was able to shepard the project through the political process with success. Congratulations Councillor Glenn Brooks.
Jan. 06, 2009 An information meeting is going to be held by the city of Ottawa with the Nicolls Island Property owners (NICA) to provide information on the Nicolls Island Project including:
Project History
Benefits of project
Property Owners contributions
Local Improvement process
Works to be carried out
Questions and Answers
The city informed Nicolls Island Community Association that the repair of the road and its embankment, will now cost 1.2 million dollars, which 10% will be recovered from Nicolls Island homeowners through a local improvement levy.
A meeting is being held on:
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 7.00 pm
Manotick Arena - Hall (Upstairs)
5572 Doctor Leach Drive, Manotick
A meeting was held on Tuesday March 3, 2009 @ 7.30 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at the
Manotick Arena - Hall (Upstairs)
5572 Doctor Leach Drive, Manotick between the city of Ottawa and the "A' Lot owners (owners of land on the east side of Nicolls Island Road that is going to be worked on by the city)
A Nicolls Island Meeting is was held by the City of Ottawa on Thursday March 19, 2009 @ 7.00 p.m. at the Manotick Library.
It is hoped that a petition from the city will be signed by Nicolls Island Residents and an easement agreement will be presented. 100% of the homeowners affected by the easement agreement needs to sign the agreement.
As of today, Friday May 5, 2009, the Local Improvement Petition for Nicolls Island Road Reconstruction has been signed by everyone whose name appears on the petition.
One hundered percent (100%) approval was signed on the whole petiton.
The City of Ottawa officially received the 100% signed Local Improvement Petition for Nicolls Island Road Reconstruction at 10.30 a.m. on Monday May 11, 2009.
A City of Ottawa Official informed the Chair of Nicolls Island Community Association that as of June 18, 2009, he has all of the agreements for the A-lots.
The City of Ottawa has now completely 100% support of Nicolls Islanders right across the board for the total reconstruction of Nicolls Island Road and embankment.
People from the City of Ottawa have done some drilling on Nicolls Island Road, on the federal road leading to George McFarlane's property, and on George's property to test the clay and to find out how good the clay is.
September 16, 2009 Ottawa Hydro has placed markings on the land beside Nicolls Island Road in order to move the hydro poles to make way for the new road.
On Thursday September 24, 2009, Ian Hawtrey will be attending the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee meeting in Cumberland Ontario to observe the Nicolls Island Project being addressed.
On Wednesday October 14, 2009 Ottawa City Council passed the necessary legislation to move the Nicolls Island project forward. The following was sent to me from our Councilor Glenn Brooks.
Ian, today Council passed the necessary legislation to move the project forward. Many thanks to your efforts and those island residents who stood tall on the issue.
congrats,
glenn
Thursday July 15, 2010
The contract for the Nicolls Island project was awarded to Goldie Mohr Ltd and the Nicolls Island Road reconstruction and shoreline remediation work started today.
The work is due to be completed in November 2010.
To View Pictures of Nicolls Island Project, go to facebook and type in "Ian Hawtrey".
Thursday November 4, 2010 Nicolls Island Road was paved as part of the bank and road stabilization project and is now completed.
Saturday November 6, 2010 A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Nicolls Island @ 10.00 a.m. Federal Minister Pierre Poilievre, Councillor Glenn Brooks and his assistant Sandy Hodges, NICA Chair Ian Hawtrey and his wife Suzanne,, NICA Treasurer Janet Harrison, Michelle and Jackson Hibler and son, and the media attended.
Thursday July 15, 2010
The contract for the Nicolls Island project was awarded to Goldie Mohr Ltd and the Nicolls Island Road reconstruction and shoreline remediation work started today.
The work is due to be completed in November 2010.
To View Pictures of Nicolls Island Project, go to facebook and type in "Ian Hawtrey".
Thursday November 4, 2010 Nicolls Island Road was paved as part of the bank and road stabilization project and is now completed.
Saturday November 6, 2010 A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Nicolls Island @ 10.00 a.m. Federal Minister Pierre Poilievre, Councillor Glenn Brooks and his assistant Sandy Hodges, NICA Chair Ian Hawtrey and his wife Suzanne,, NICA Treasurer Janet Harrison, Michelle and Jackson Hibler and son, and the media attended.
