The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Treasure Cay project that came under fire from both Abaconians and environmentalists yesterday said it had been assured its dredging permit was “imminent”, adding that local sentiment had shifted in favour of the development.

Tim Blakeley, the Treasure Sands Club’s vice-president, was speaking on the same day that the Save the Bays group released an Internet video in which Ejnar Cornish, north Abaco’s deputy chief councillor, strongly hinted that legal action would be taken over the project.

The video, seen by Tribune Business, records Mr Cornish as saying: “Be prepared, North Abaco, to take this to the highest court.”

It is unclear when the video was filmed, or who the parties bringing the action will be, but Mr Cornish is seemingly referring to pursuing a Judicial Review-style action all the way to the London-based Privy Council.

Mr Blakeley, though, told Tribune Business he was unaware of any brewing legal action, emphasising that he had not been served with any papers.

And he dismissed claims that the Treasure Sands developers had restarted construction without the necessary permits, explaining that it could not shape and landscape the relevant land until dredging was completed.

And Mr Blakeley told this newspaper there had been “a shift in the tides” when it came to attitudes towards the project, adding that it had received positive feedback from both second home owners and local alike.

And he added that local government in North Abaco had been “pretty co-operative now”, adding that the developers had submitted plans for several Hope Town-style buildings to it for approval.

“We are apparently on the fast track. It’s supposed to be imminent and everything is very positive,” Mr Blakeley said of the project’s dredging permit application.

The Government issued a ‘cease and desist’ order to the project last year, requiring it to cease dredging operations until the relevant permit was obtained from the Department of Lands and Surveys.

“We’ve basically had to down tools so it’s been a bit frustrating, but the Government has assured us they’re working as fast as possible,” Mr Blakeley added.

“We’re waiting for the get go. Local government has been very positive as well. They’ve turned around. They’ve been pretty co-operative now. There’s been a shift in the tides a little bit.”

Suggesting that the construction work delays had cost the developers “thousands”, Mr Blakeley said: “It’s one of those things that’s difficult to quantify.

“We’d like to get this all done before the peak season in March. We’re quiet at the moment, and have time available to do it. It’s just a bit frustrating at the moment.”

Mr Blakeley said landscaping, beautification and road improvements carried out by the Treasure Sands Club had been welcomed.

And he added that concerns expressed over the environmental impact dredging would have on the nearby creek had “kind of died a death now”.

“We’ve had some experts in, telling the armchair environmentalists the best thing to do is let water flow into the creek and get the sulphurous stuff out. That will help the plants and animals,” Mr Blakeley told Tribune Business.

He added that the Treasure Sands Club was also set to “embrace” the historic and archaeological significance of the area, and said: “I think there should be more historical awareness in the Bahamas.”

Mr Blakeley previously said the project could ultimately involve a $10-$20 million investment, and create 100 “desperately needed” jobs, if the developers were allowed to fulfill their plans.

However, the Save the Bays video, which featured several Treasure Cay residents and local government members, including chief councillor Stephen Pedican, reiterated concerns that they were being bypassed by Nassau when it came to investment project approvals.

And Israel Cooper, a Treasure Cay resident, was recorded as saying: “The community really do have a problem with the way things are going here.”

The video, which Save the Bays is using to push demands for a Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Protection Act, reiterates concerns that statutory processes are being ignored, and that local communities are thus unable to govern themselves or know what is happening in their own backyard.