Sam Austin
@samaustind5.bsky.social
Halifax Regional Municipality Councillor
District 5 Dartmouth Centre
District 5 Dartmouth Centre
Bit of a strange one to share on Christmas Eve but there was a fleury of Dartmouth Cove correspondence this week. Province to HRM and HRM back to Province. Plus a threat of action by a landowner on Jan 5 cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
cdn.halifax.ca
December 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Bit of a strange one to share on Christmas Eve but there was a fleury of Dartmouth Cove correspondence this week. Province to HRM and HRM back to Province. Plus a threat of action by a landowner on Jan 5 cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Sam Austin
Heads up – a new southbound transit-only lane is now open from Artz Street to the Cogswell District roundabout. This lane is for buses only and completes a missing link in the Barrington Street transit corridor from the north end to downtown, helping transit move faster and more reliably.
December 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Heads up – a new southbound transit-only lane is now open from Artz Street to the Cogswell District roundabout. This lane is for buses only and completes a missing link in the Barrington Street transit corridor from the north end to downtown, helping transit move faster and more reliably.
Reposted by Sam Austin
We're advising residents that the municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect from Dec. 15, 2025, through March 31, 2026. The parking ban is enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events and snow removal operations. More details: www.halifax.ca/home/news/mu...
December 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
We're advising residents that the municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect from Dec. 15, 2025, through March 31, 2026. The parking ban is enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events and snow removal operations. More details: www.halifax.ca/home/news/mu...
Last Council blog of 2025! The Banook Plan and some thoughts on the Capped Assessment Program samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Banook Plan, CAP - Sam Austin
Agenda December 9Agenda December 2 Banook PlanThe Lake Banook Coordination Plan was approved by Council this week. Banook is a special place. It’s both a prized community recreational hub, and an inte...
samaustin.ca
December 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Last Council blog of 2025! The Banook Plan and some thoughts on the Capped Assessment Program samaustin.ca/council-upda...
November bike stats from HRM's counters.
Previous year counts for Nov:
2025: 43,844
2024: 39,425
2023: 33,618
2022: 24,640
2021: 18,623
2020: 3,733
2019: 3,459
2018: 5,285
2025: 43,844
2024: 39,425
2023: 33,618
2022: 24,640
2021: 18,623
2020: 3,733
2019: 3,459
2018: 5,285
December 4, 2025 at 1:47 AM
November bike stats from HRM's counters.
HRM's response to the Province's conditional approval of the Dartmouth Cove infill amendments. Correspondence posted publicly on HRM's website here cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
cdn.halifax.ca
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
HRM's response to the Province's conditional approval of the Dartmouth Cove infill amendments. Correspondence posted publicly on HRM's website here cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
My latest Council blog. 2026 Budget deliberations are underway. It's going to be a difficult year! Early ins and outs from our opening meeting and the lines of debate that are shaping up samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Budget 2026 Begins - Sam Austin
Agenda, November 19 Budget 2026The 2026 budget process is now underway. Over the next 4-5 months, staff and Council will complete a detailed review of all of HRM’s plans for 2026. Unfortunately, this ...
samaustin.ca
December 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
My latest Council blog. 2026 Budget deliberations are underway. It's going to be a difficult year! Early ins and outs from our opening meeting and the lines of debate that are shaping up samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 28 I'll be holding open hour at Port City Coffee in Alderney Landing from 9:30 - 11:00. Pop by for 5-10 minute chat, no appointment necessary.
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 28 I'll be holding open hour at Port City Coffee in Alderney Landing from 9:30 - 11:00. Pop by for 5-10 minute chat, no appointment necessary.
Budget deliberations are underway at City Hall. Mayor's motion, that seems to be out of order, and will have to be adjusted or be moved as an alternative... Winds of austerity swirling at City Hall
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Budget deliberations are underway at City Hall. Mayor's motion, that seems to be out of order, and will have to be adjusted or be moved as an alternative... Winds of austerity swirling at City Hall
Candlelight concert at the Sanctuary Arts Centre for the North Grove. Rostova String Quartet bringing a classical twist to popular music (they’re truly excellent!)
November 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Candlelight concert at the Sanctuary Arts Centre for the North Grove. Rostova String Quartet bringing a classical twist to popular music (they’re truly excellent!)
Some pics from what’s under the surface at Dartmouth Cove from today’s bioblitz
November 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Some pics from what’s under the surface at Dartmouth Cove from today’s bioblitz
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 14, a bonus open hour, but in the afternoon. I’ll be at Marco Polo from 2-3. Pop by for 5-10 minutes of my time, no appointment necessary. FYI I’ll have a young job shadower along with me
November 13, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 14, a bonus open hour, but in the afternoon. I’ll be at Marco Polo from 2-3. Pop by for 5-10 minutes of my time, no appointment necessary. FYI I’ll have a young job shadower along with me
Reposted by Sam Austin
Lake Major Returns to Voluntary Restrictions
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
November 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Lake Major Returns to Voluntary Restrictions
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
Lots of creativity at the Dartmouth Cove protest
November 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Lots of creativity at the Dartmouth Cove protest
Today: A busy one. Conversation with staff re government relations, Dartmouth Cove protest (see post below), hoping to swing by opening of a new health clinic on Wyse Road, Transportation Committee agenda review, and Mobile Food Market 10th anniversary celebration
November 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Today: A busy one. Conversation with staff re government relations, Dartmouth Cove protest (see post below), hoping to swing by opening of a new health clinic on Wyse Road, Transportation Committee agenda review, and Mobile Food Market 10th anniversary celebration
Today: Day 2 of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference opens with several provincial ministers speaking. Harbour East Community Council meets tonight
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Today: Day 2 of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference opens with several provincial ministers speaking. Harbour East Community Council meets tonight
My Council update for last week's meeting: the museum strategy and HalifACT Update. Read it here. samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Museum Strategy, HalifACT Update - Sam Austin
Agenda, October 28 Museum StrategyThe Regional Museum Strategy was before Council last week. HRM has been considering two different approaches towards the museum question, (1) create a new Regional Mu...
samaustin.ca
November 6, 2025 at 4:37 AM
My Council update for last week's meeting: the museum strategy and HalifACT Update. Read it here. samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Today: Day one of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Conference. A variety of sessions today including presentations from the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, John MacDonald and Claudia Chender
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Today: Day one of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Conference. A variety of sessions today including presentations from the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, John MacDonald and Claudia Chender
Today: The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference is this week. I’m on the NSFM board and today was an all day board meeting. A pretty light show out the window courtesy of Mother Nature!
November 4, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Today: The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference is this week. I’m on the NSFM board and today was an all day board meeting. A pretty light show out the window courtesy of Mother Nature!
My e-news for November: the province signals they’re planning to overturn HRMs Dartmouth Cove decision, neighbour mediation, community crisis team, a possible new sidewalk in Crichton Park, naturalization at Albro Lake and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-novem...
E-News November 2025 - Sam Austin
News Dartmouth CoveOn October 7, after a lengthy public hearing, Council approved implementing restrictions on infilling water lots in Dartmouth Cove. The decision affects nine properties, was a long-...
samaustin.ca
November 4, 2025 at 11:54 AM
My e-news for November: the province signals they’re planning to overturn HRMs Dartmouth Cove decision, neighbour mediation, community crisis team, a possible new sidewalk in Crichton Park, naturalization at Albro Lake and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-novem...
Bike stats for October 2025. 64,562 trips recorded on HRM's counters.
Previous year counts for Oct:
2025: 64,562
2024: 64,426
2023: 55,801
2022: 34,774
2021: 34,612
2020: 6,210
2019: 4,619
2018: 13,068
2025: 64,562
2024: 64,426
2023: 55,801
2022: 34,774
2021: 34,612
2020: 6,210
2019: 4,619
2018: 13,068
November 4, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Bike stats for October 2025. 64,562 trips recorded on HRM's counters.
Reposted by Sam Austin
Far too many politicians are being allowed to successfully weaponize common nonsense.
#CommonNonsense
#CommonNonsense
October 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Far too many politicians are being allowed to successfully weaponize common nonsense.
#CommonNonsense
#CommonNonsense
You know it’s a beautiful day when the turtle at Sullivans Pond is out soaking up the sun
October 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
You know it’s a beautiful day when the turtle at Sullivans Pond is out soaking up the sun
Today: Started with Cafe Good Luck for Open Hour. Next check in with my coordinator. Interview with Global. Then the ongoing email project (215!)
October 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Today: Started with Cafe Good Luck for Open Hour. Next check in with my coordinator. Interview with Global. Then the ongoing email project (215!)
Reminder. I'll be at Cafe Good Luck tomorrow morning for open office hours. 9:30 - 11:00.
October 24, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Reminder. I'll be at Cafe Good Luck tomorrow morning for open office hours. 9:30 - 11:00.