Fast Track Applications to Build Jobs

January 11, 2011

House Blueprints_construction(Written By Kim.Swan, Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for the Environment and Planning)

Government should turn its attention to the Planning Department to see if building applications can be fast-tracked to create jobs.

We understand the need to make sure construction projects need to comply with building and environmental standards, but feel the approval process can be speeded up to help ease Bermuda’s jobs crisis.

There is mounting frustration among private developers with funding, who suggest there is a sufficient work tied up in the Planning process that could stimulate the ailing local economy.

The construction sector, more than any other, has experienced a catastrophic loss of jobs – up to 2,000 over the past year according spokesmen for the Bermuda Construction Association.

In light of unprecedented joblessness and the need to stir economic activity, the Government should bring special attention to this area.

Our research indicates Planning applications are down significantly from past norms, 2/3 by some estimates; nevertheless the 500-plus applications currently before the Department must contain some jobs-producing work. And it is with this in mind that we urge the Government to move with haste.

Now is the time for the Government to come to the aid of the people in whatever way it can.

Read More About

Category: All, News, Politics

Comments (10)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. The 411 says:

    We should be able to have a”reject” button that we can press whenever Kim Swan opens his mouth. The best thing that the UBP can do is change leadership. He certainly is hurting any cause for rejuvenation and re-builing. He instils NO confidence that he knows what he is saying and more importantly, has the capacity to fix…

    We can have all the planning passes we like, but if there is no lending at the banks (which there isn’t), then nothing gets built. Don’t you get it? Butterfield continues to struggle and HSBC is nervous given an underperforming 100% mortgage portfolio….And the deposit base is shrinking because of company exodus…if there is no deposits in the banks, then there is no money to lend…its as simple as that.

    Kim – learn and speak from an informed and learned perspective….Thats true evidence of someone qualified to lead the country…

    The banks should be speaking with the banks as to how to ease credit and improve capital flows…perhaps subsidize rates or offer some guarantees…economic rejuvenation starts with capital flows…

  2. Terry says:

    Bwahaaaaaaaaaaaa

    411, you come to Bernews and make comments like that yet hide behind a pen name.

    Shame on you. Now go back to your desk….oops it’s 4pm there…..

    • The 411 says:

      Doesn’t matter who says it. It needs to be said as it is the truth. Economics 101. Capital flows drive the economy. Why do you think Obama embarked on an infrastructure plan to fix the highways and injected billions into the banks to get them to lend again…thats why the us economy is on an uptrend now, with unemployment numbers falling and the stock market at new highs…sorry if that is too much for you…but again make decisions from learned and informed perspective…not for political grandstanding.

      In all truth, in an efficient world, if planning apps are down 30%, immigration permits down 30%, mail flows down 50%, then the departments supporting these should be down by the same amounts…

  3. Sal C says:

    I guess 411 is thinking that the backlog in building permits is only new home construction, there are indivduals who are or will be adding additions, etc. that do not need to finance with a mortgage. Remember Bermudians have always valued real estate and with the construction market being hit hard, now is the time to think of updating homes with kitchens, additions and the like. We won’t be in the dismal financial condition we are in forever, I hope, and now is the time to make the most out of construction cost being down. We need to look at all government departments for waste and excess.

  4. Kim Swan says:

    FYI: From the Budget Reply delivered by Shadow Finance Minister ET “Bob” Richards on Friday March 5th, 2010

    ” Cut red tape, boost construction ”
    ” ………. I have a constituent who is just trying to build a wall and his application has been in Planning for 18 months. There are many private sector projects that are mired in the Department of Planning waiting for approval. Instead of authorizing new government-financed projects why not streamline
    the Department of Planning to significantly increase the throughput of that department.
    No one is advocating a lowering of standards, just a raising of efficiency. In this way more projects could be started sooner and this would have the same effect as an economic stimulus package,except a lot cheaper for the taxpayer. ”

    There are persons with funding looking to make improvements, upgrade ect. but do not have the option to proceed if they are mired in red tape. The opportunity to provide jobs for persons and generate income cannot materialise without approval first.

    • Dragging A Lure says:

      Kim,
      Please provide the factual information that can support the following: “There are many private sector projects that are mired in the Department of Planning waiting for approval. Instead of authorizing new government-financed projects why not streamline the Department of Planning to significantly increase the throughput of that department.” No assumptions only facts. The information should be at your finger tips.

      Wish you the best

    • S Brown says:

      You should take into consideration that in some situations its the architects and surveyors at fault who are not performing their jobs diligently…

      Just out of curiosity, did you ever talk to a senior civil servant in the Planning Dept. directly with regards to why there is a backlog?

  5. byestander says:

    411′s comments should be disregarded. As for Mr. Swan’s comments, a fairly good idea that the government should look into. However, I’m a little skeptical that this would jump start the economy again. I think it can help support the economy but I don’t think it could really boost the company, just help keep it circuling the drain a little while longer. That is, I agree that projects should be approved at the rate that other projects finish up so as to sustain the workers currently employed (and perhaps a little more) but only so far as they are Bermudians first.

    Because there isn’t anyone out there that can really predict how long this downturn will affect the global community nor Bermuda – that to approve as many as possible now would, in my opinion, create a great situation immediately but a much worse one later. Sustaining projects should be the key. So I agree with Mr. Swan’s comments and suggest the government really review their approval process. I think this is an easy area where we can keep employment from falling any further.

  6. Jay says:

    I agree with Mr Swan. As I am waiting on planning to build major additions and don’t need a load from the bank. There a lot of people out there like me waiting on planning. This would help from builders to sub contractors trickle down effect. Something is better then nothing maybe the minister in charge can have a word with the planning dept. Who is the new minister in charge anyway.

  7. Sara says:

    Bermuda is already excessively overbuilt and over-populated with loads of empty office spaces, empty condos, empty houses just sitting. Bermuda must exercise extreme caution in building just to build, so to speak. Bermuda must find new ways of stimulating the economy. What about government buying a few derelict houses in the back of town to add housing to the poor little rundown Salvation Army that sits next to the shiny new TCD building? And make the tendering process on this project fair and open.