- Target:
- The Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy
- Region:
- Bermuda
- Website:
- ww.best.org.bm
Many thanks are owed to those who signed this petition and supported the campaign against the Special Development Order in other ways. It was especially appreciated when people took the time to add their personal comments.
The results of the campaign can be said to be mixed. The petition was referred to repeatedly in the news media. The Environment Minister declined requests to be presented with it. The senators were presented with a report of it on the day of their vote. During their debate the SDO proposal was withdrawn as it was feared that it did not have enough support to pass. The expression of public opposition, particularly in the 3 weeks leading up to this vote can be seen as the cause of this. Shortly after this an amended version of the SDO passed. The public had no chance to review the amended version. Seasoned environmental campaigners have seen developers use a tactic of asking for more than they need so that they have something to bargain with. From this perspective the amended plan was not a surprise or a triumph. Nonetheless the downscaling of the proposed development was very welcome. Most notably the coastal areas and Quarry Hill were saved from development and some of Mangrove Lake was promised to be given to the Government park system.
Another element of success came when weeks later the Ombudsman announce her intention to conduct a systemic investigation into the process of granting SDOs.
There are still activists quietly working to change the outcome at Tucker's Point. Future planning applications along with their environmental impact studies will be closely watched. Those that got involved due to the unjust history of the land’s ownership are still fighting for the history to be recognized and addressed.
This petition was started independently of any organization but if you would like to support the ongoing environmental resistance to the proposed development at Tucker's Point contact the Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce www.best.org.bm.
For information about the racial justice aspect of this struggle you can contact the Tucker's Town Historical Society. It has a Facebook group.
The Bermuda Government is seeking to have a Special Development Order (SDO) approved to permit the Tucker's Point Hotel to expand its current hotel and build additional residences.
This is some of the most ecologically sensitive land in Bermuda as there are lands with Nature Conserve, Woodland Reserve and Coastal Conserve designations.
It is also a culturally sensitive plot of land as it had once been home to a large number of Black Bermudians and had been taken from them forcibly.
For the Minister of the Environment, Planning, and Infrastructure Strategy Walter Roban and the Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors' answers to questions raised, see here: http://bernews.com/2011/02/ministers-answer-sdo-questions-on-citv/
More info: www.best.bm; www.curb.bm
We are asking that the Bermuda Government reconsider this Special Development Order (SDO) and reverse their decision to potentially allow building on this ecologically and culturally sensitive land.
This will come before the Senate, and it is likely that this will be in the next session on the 16th of March, so it is imperative that action is taken now!
For more information: www.best.org.bm
The In Objection to the Tucker's Point Special Development Order (SDO) petition to The Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy was written by Sarah and is in the category Environment at GoPetition.