The view at Lighthouse Point. Photo: Barefoot Marketing
By MORGAN ADDERLEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
ENVIRONMENTALISTS are calling for “better national planning” in terms of economic and environmental sustainability in the wake of the Minnis administration’s decision to approve Disney Cruise Line’s proposal for Lighthouse Point, South Eleuthera.
Despite Disney Cruise Line’s President Jeff Vahle’s assurance that the project will preserve the “natural beauty” of the site, environmental organisations such as the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and Lighthouse Point Partners (LPP) are describing the decision as “regrettable” and a disappointment.
After months of controversy, the National Economic Council approved Disney’s proposal on Friday.
The government’s decision came despite calls from Disney’s competitor, LPP, to delay the decision for 60-days to give LPP an equal opportunity to present its proposal for the property to the public.
BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert also regretted that Disney’s proposal was approved before this alternative plan could have been considered.
“While most of the land is privately owned, there are key pieces of the Lighthouse Point property that are Crown Land, and this project will also heavily impact the seabed and surrounding marine resources that are outside of the boundaries of the property and belong to the Bahamian people,” Mrs McKinney-Lambert said in a statement.
“This decision highlights the desperate need for better national planning and decision-making when it comes to our economic and environmental sustainability as an island nation, and underscores the importance of BREEF’s work in environmental education throughout the country.”
In a statement released on Friday, Mr Vahle expressed excitement at the outcome.
“We are excited to reach this important milestone and look forward to working with government and the people of the Bahamas to create new economic opportunities while preserving the natural beauty of Lighthouse Point,” he said.
“We are grateful for the warm welcome and support we have received from so many in Eleuthera and look forward to further developing relationships that will endure for many years to come.
“In the short-term, we are focused on reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial for the Bahamas and our company, as well as moving forward with an environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan. Our team also looks forward to working with local artists, historians and others as we ensure that the stories and culture of the Bahamas shine through when Disney guests and Bahamians alike visit this special place.”
On Friday, LPP condemned the government for “(capitulating) to the demands of Disney Cruise Line to develop a private cruise port” at the site.
“Unlike the sustainable proposal of the (LPP), the government, in this decision, is perpetuating a failed model, with limited spend by cruise passengers on the island of Eleuthera, compared to stay-over visitors, with no chance of Bahamian ownership of the core enterprise,” the statement says.
“Whereas our proposal would have created jobs immediately upon the acquisition of the property, Disney’s proposal will not have any meaningful impact on the employment of persons in South Eleuthera until at least 2023.
“Even on the construction of Disney’s quarter of a billion-dollar pier, there is every indication those funds will be spent with a US firm, with Bahamian contractors receiving little to nothing.”
LPP added it submitted its own proposal to the government on September 28, noting this plan was not presented at a town meeting held in Green Castle on October 10.
LPP described this town meeting, which Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis attended, as being “more like a Disney rally,” alleging “residents opposed to Disney’s proposal were shouted down and intimidated by pro-Disney supporters, without any intervention by the prime minister or any member of (his) delegation.”
Comments
DDK 6 years ago
“While most of the land is privately owned, there are key pieces of the Lighthouse Point property that are Crown Land, and this project will also heavily impact the seabed and surrounding marine resources that are outside of the boundaries of the property and belong to the Bahamian people,” Mrs McKinney-Lambert said in a statement."
THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL SIMPLY DOES NOT CARE.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years ago
LMAO. No, it's only Minnis who doesn't care, and you can only begin to imagine all of the "goodies" Disney has promised him and his family for this deal.
ThisIsOurs 6 years ago
The National Economic Council IS Minnis
rawbahamian 6 years ago
Well when the Disney supporters in Eleuthera realize that they are not included in the economic pie that Disney creates, then just watch them scream for the gummamunt to do something about it !!! Be careful what yiu ask for because KARMA is a b***h !
ThisIsOurs 6 years ago
It's the story of hungry people. Esau was hungry and he gave away his birthright for a plate of food. Jacob on the other hand realized Esau was hungry and he could get anything he wanted from him for a mere plate of food. Esau then gets angry when he realizes how much was taken from him and Jacob the trickster gets to run off with the loot.
Nothing change. Disney knows exactly what it did. "Disney respects me", my .... Once the Eleutherians belly full, they'll realize what they gave up for one plate of food
truetruebahamian 6 years ago
Minnis has once afain proven that he does not have the capacity to lead a country. This is from a now ex supporter.
Porcupine 6 years ago
So, it is clear from thinking people, that two things must go. Disney and Minnis mouse.
DDK 6 years ago
EXACTLY, Porcupine!
realfreethinker 6 years ago
What amazes me is the hypocrisy surrounding this piece of privately owned land. It has been on the market for years and no one saw fit to purchase it in order to "preserve" it.Typical Bahamian response. We wont invest our money in it but please dont let the foreigner invest in it.
DDK 6 years ago
There is quite a difference between not disturbing something and destroying it.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years ago
Bahamians of all walks of life all over the Bahamas need to ......................, with the good people of Eleuthera leading the charge. Yes, that's right, once the property is occupied by Disney and its guests, Bahamians en masse need to ............................ over and over again (at least once or twice a month), with many video postings of the .................... to social media with invited coverage of one of the .................. by the major news outlets (newspapers, TV, Cable, internet, etc.). Only by Bahamians repeatedly .....................the property will Disney get the message that they have no alternative but to abandon it and never return. In fact, we should all now be sending out a loud message that we don't want or need any of Disney's cruise ships in our waters anywhere in the Bahamas. Disney will never add anything to our economy for the benefit of Bahamians at large (as has been the experience to date) while they go about completely destroying yet another one of our most beautiful and pristine land and sea environments. Minnis himself should also be ..................... by the Bahamian people until Disney abandons the Lighthouse Point property.
sealice 6 years ago
No the Disney go ahead shows that once again our government has no faith in Bahamians and will find any excuse to not even listen to them..... this government that promised to not to get on it's knee's so easily for every foreigner that walks by has done so again at least they'll have plenty of practice after they get voted out i hear Cheetahs is always looking for new employees.....
licks2 6 years ago
THAT'S ALL I EVER HEAR FROM YINNA BAHAMIANS. . ."give us the chance". . .RIGHT AFTER ANYBODY. . .BAHAMIAN OF OVERSEAS DO ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL IN THIS NATION. . .but centuries before anything starts. . . WE NEED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN AROUND HERE!
Yall cheap misers can come forth and use yinna own money. . .or just shut up and enjoy the ride!!
VDSheep 6 years ago
That’s what we are - stupid as the stupid governments we elect! Elect one stupid government in and one stupid government out – in/out - in/out – what does that tell you about us – Bahamians[sic] – The PLP has lost its way and the FNM was born with a UBP ideology! Look at truth Bahamians ‘ when will we believe our eyes ‘ instead of the politicians – we need to do something different ‘ not do the same things and expect a different result. The politicians enact these criminal policies against the people interest – all we do is complain… yes! that’s telling them – so what.
licks2 6 years ago
Ya gat it wrong. . .the PLP was born from PLP and UBP, FNM was born from dissident 8 PLP and UBP and DNA was born from rejects from the PLP, FNM, BDM and various other wanner-be minor politicos etc.
There is time. . .dumb political antics is not the way. . .
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