Concerns Renewed About Scarce Beach Access:
By Bianca Symonette -
Nassau, Bahamas:

As the momentum builds from rapid development, the country continues to struggle with creating a healthy balance to the protection of access to coastal zones.

However, according to the president of The Bahamas Land Surveyors Association Ian Young, homeowners are exacerbating the situation by blocking public beach access with their private structures and perimeters.

Mr. Young urged the government to make provision for more coastal access for future generations. The issue is one which has never been too far from national discussion with successive governments vowing to maintain adequate levels of beach access for the public.

"A lot of work has been done on Goodman’s Bay, Saunders Beach, Arawak Cay in 2000/2001 and it almost seems as a forgotten issue regarding public access to the sea and we would like for people now and the next generation to enjoy their recreation to the beaches," said Mr. Young while he appeared on the Love 97 programme Issues of the Day with host Mike Smith.

On the matter of the private homeowners blocking pathways to public beaches, Mr. Young said he has observed 40-foot access to the sea being shut off in the western and eastern districts of New Providence.

He also pointed out that landmarks in the eastern district of the island could be used to develop more public areas for Bahamians.

"In the public interest, we felt as if we needed to bring to light these parcels that are located in the eastern district which are ocean front properties, they are crown land and they are sitting idle," Mr. Young said.

"These are crown land owned by the public and government. We would like to see the government continue its efforts in bringing these properties into a usable fashion so that you can walk your pets…and see the sea without being cut off."

Mr. Young also decried the fact that fire access roads are being blocked by private homes, which could pose a serious dilemma in case an emergency arises.

"Along the eastern and western roads, 30 to 40 foot slices of roads are cut, leading to the beach, for emergency fire access. These are roadways that should be open at all times and it's time for the government to step up and emphasize the importance of these fire roads because they're being closed off and that's not safe," Mr. Young said.

The Free National Movement government has pledged that when renting or leasing ocean or sea front land it would retain a crown reserve between the ocean/sea and the property granted for private development.

The government has also promised to reduce and where ever possible bring an end to the unauthorized occupation and development of crown lands.

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie had also promised to address the issue of inadequate public beach access. In fact, during the election campaign that preceded the May 2 general election the matter of land became a key issue.

In the face of a series of indictments leveled by the then opposition FNM, Mr. Christie said the government had actually started a land programme to buy back property from land owners to create more access to public beaches.

Mr. Christie said the Progressive Liberal Party had purchased acres of land in Harbour Island, Exuma, West End, Grand Bahama, New Providence and Eleuthera.

16 August 2007