cerasee
02-12-07, - 06:47 PM
In October 2007, the Bahamian Cabinet approved an interim marina policy for the Bahamas, which set out rules and procedures for marina approval as well as usage fees. It includes a number of interesting ideas, including recognition that the visual appeal of the Bahamas coastline is a critical element of its attraction. Its appearance should not be altered unless there is clear public consensus that it should be and that significant public benefits would follow from such a change. The proposed marina policy is now open for public comment.
In response to the government’s request for comments on the Interim Marina Policy, we ak that no further marinas be permitted on Harbour Island and that the current rescission of the Romora Bay marina approvals be made permanent. We request that you also consider mandating that all such future marina development throughout the country incorporate blackwater sewage treatment systems at each location. For years, the two commercial marinas on Harbour Island have been allowed to sidestep such an offering, despite the presence of 100+ feet liveaboard yachts for months at a time.
We would like to see more control exercised over the development and use of marinas in the Bahamas, especially the family islands. Boats and the boating industry contribute little to the Bahamas -- given the amount of products they carry in, and the amount of garbage and sewage they leave behind -- and a greater tax with a stronger regulation may help to curtail the boating industry and bring it down to a more manageable level.
Harbour Island in particular does not need any more commercial marinas. Valentine’s Yacht Club and the Harbour Island Marina, each with about 50 slips, are seldom full. There are islands in the Bahamas, such as Andros and San Salvador, which need the economic impact of additional development. Harbour Island is not one of them. The median per household income on Harbour Island is $45,000 which is about the same as the US.
The proposed Romora Bay marina will be another visual blight on the harbour. The Prime Minister has already called the Valentine’s condo/marina complex an “obscenity,” so why create another eyesore?
As we have seen, marina developers do not have a long term commitment to the island. Regardless of what they say, their goal is to go in, maximize their profits, and sell out.
Marinas, and their associated condominiums, increase population density as well as strain an already shaky infrastructure. Romora Bay’s proposed 30 slips and 35 condominiums would mean another 65-80 golf carts and the equivalent of another 65 households of trash, water consumption and electricity. Harbour Island’s water and electricity infrastructure is at the breaking point at the moment, and another development of this nature makes little economic or socially-responsible sense.
In response to the government’s request for comments on the Interim Marina Policy, we ak that no further marinas be permitted on Harbour Island and that the current rescission of the Romora Bay marina approvals be made permanent. We request that you also consider mandating that all such future marina development throughout the country incorporate blackwater sewage treatment systems at each location. For years, the two commercial marinas on Harbour Island have been allowed to sidestep such an offering, despite the presence of 100+ feet liveaboard yachts for months at a time.
We would like to see more control exercised over the development and use of marinas in the Bahamas, especially the family islands. Boats and the boating industry contribute little to the Bahamas -- given the amount of products they carry in, and the amount of garbage and sewage they leave behind -- and a greater tax with a stronger regulation may help to curtail the boating industry and bring it down to a more manageable level.
Harbour Island in particular does not need any more commercial marinas. Valentine’s Yacht Club and the Harbour Island Marina, each with about 50 slips, are seldom full. There are islands in the Bahamas, such as Andros and San Salvador, which need the economic impact of additional development. Harbour Island is not one of them. The median per household income on Harbour Island is $45,000 which is about the same as the US.
The proposed Romora Bay marina will be another visual blight on the harbour. The Prime Minister has already called the Valentine’s condo/marina complex an “obscenity,” so why create another eyesore?
As we have seen, marina developers do not have a long term commitment to the island. Regardless of what they say, their goal is to go in, maximize their profits, and sell out.
Marinas, and their associated condominiums, increase population density as well as strain an already shaky infrastructure. Romora Bay’s proposed 30 slips and 35 condominiums would mean another 65-80 golf carts and the equivalent of another 65 households of trash, water consumption and electricity. Harbour Island’s water and electricity infrastructure is at the breaking point at the moment, and another development of this nature makes little economic or socially-responsible sense.