A provision for $1 million to develop Barkers National Park has been approved in the 2007/08 budget.
The Department of Environment has put together a plan for the acquisition of property to establish the national park at Barkers.
‘They’ve put together a plan to do a phased acquisition for the proper development of that park,’ Tourism Minister Charles Clifford said in Finance Committee.
Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush asked where they are with the plans for the actual development of that park.
‘We want to negotiate based on fair market value to purchase the land, not by compulsory purchase,’ Mr. Clifford said.
Mr. Bush said while he was glad compulsory land purchase would not be pursued, he wanted to know what would be done to enhance the park and to say when the development process would begin.
Mr. Clifford said there is a plan in place, but in order for it to work the land needs to be acquired in order to develop it in a sensible manner. The acquisition and development both need to be phased, he said.
With regard to a $105,000 allocation for beach re-nourishment Mr. Clifford said the money is mainly earmarked for Seven Mile Beach but there are other areas that would be included and new methods of anchoring the sand so that it won’t be lost once it’s in place.
North Side MLA Edna Moyle asked that Kaibo beach, which she said is fast eroding, gets some attention as quickly as possible.
Mr. Clifford said that beach is deserving of attention and it could be investigated by the Department of Environment.
Under the provision for Go East Public Facilities, for $215,000, Mr. Clifford said Tourism is looking to put very small public strip malls (shopping areas) near the public beaches in the three districts so artisans can offer goods for sale.
There is also provision for land purchase at East End Public Beach for $400,000 for the 07/08 budget.
Mrs. Moyle said beach was being bought in Bodden Town and East End, but what about North Side?
Mr. Clifford said the issue was being approached on a phased basis.
There is more public beach in North Side than in East End so that is why East End comes first, but there will be provision in the 08/09 budget for beach land to be purchased in North Side, he said.
George Town MLA Lucille Seymour said George Town residents have to go to West Bay Road public beach to swim.
She asked that the Minister look into residents of George Town being able to use some beach property in George Town.
He agreed that more public beaches are needed in George Town and said he would work with the Minister responsible for infrastructure, Arden McLean on the issue.
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