Minister: Committed To Revitalizing St. George’s

September 25, 2013

As a part of the 2013/14 budget, the Government allocated $360,000 in capital funding to the Corporation of St. George and “we are committed to working with the Corporation to start the process of upgrading the infrastructure,” Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said today [Sept 25] in the Senate.

“Amongst other small projects, the Corporation will use the allocated funds to acquire new equipment to assist with maintenance such as a new trash truck and van; they will attend to much needed dock repairs at Ordinance Island and Pennos Wharf; repair public restrooms and further explore the viability of a marina,” said Minister Fahy.

The topic of financial support for St George’s has been in the news lately, following the the Bill tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday to raise funds for St. George’s by levying an additional tax on oil and gas imports landed at the Oil Docks in St. George’s.

Minister Fahy’s full statement follows below:

Madam President, I’d like to take the opportunity today to provide an update on the planned use of capital funds to support the maintenance and development of the Town of St. George, the home of Bermuda’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Madam President, the official UNESCO World Heritage website says that “The Town of St George, founded in 1612, is an outstanding example of the earliest English urban settlement in the New World. Its associated fortifications graphically illustrate the development of English military engineering from the 17th to the 20th century, being adapted to take account of the development of artillery over this period”.

Bermuda is included amongst an elite group of countries with sites that are worthy to bear the UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation. Our aim is to preserve the integrity of this history, restore it for generations to come and use it as a means to drive visitation to the island.

Madam President you will recall the Government’s election Plan entitled: The St. George’s and St. David’s Recovery Plan. That Plan contains a laundry list of commitments. You will recall that the Government pledged to re-establish a close working partnership between government and the Corporation of St. George’s and ensure its viability as a municipality.

Further, the Government pledged to work with the Corporation of St. George’s to protect the special historical qualities of the Town, implement the Town Heritage Plan and commit adequate funds to market St. George’s as a World Heritage Site.

As a part of the 2013/14 budget, the Government allocated $360,000 in capital funding to the Corporation of St. George and we are committed to working with the Corporation to start the process of upgrading the infrastructure. Amongst other small projects, the Corporation will use the allocated funds to acquire new equipment to assist with maintenance such as a new trash truck and van; they will attend to much needed dock repairs at Ordinance Island and Pennos Wharf; repair public restrooms and further explore the viability of a marina.

Madam President it is envisaged that the Marina will transform the already well known maritime asset of St. George’s into a yachting hub. The project will consist of a Marina, a welcome centre and dock management areas, all of which will be available year-round and will be serviced 24-hours a day.

All of the above noted projects have been identified as critical to sustaining the infrastructure in St. George’s however this represents only a small fraction of the work to be done.

Madam President, the Government is committed to revitalizing Bermuda’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounding areas so that we might leverage the assets in the best interest of all Bermuda. Our aim is to get the site working better for the people of Bermuda.

Thank you Madam President.

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Comments (20)

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  1. Nuffin but da Truth says:

    YAWNS…I’ll believe it when I see something happening in the old town.

  2. Concerned says:

    Why not funds going to St. George’s from the Airport (both) – the airlines pay largely for lending permits, rental of kiosks and so forth.

  3. Hmmmmm says:

    Never has so much been done is support a 4 vote majority. Pork barrell politics at its best. Pretty to watch.

    • Sandy Bottom says:

      You’re just annoyed the government is paying attention to St Georges rather than letting it die, which is what the PLP did.

      • Mike Hind says:

        Not concerned the OBA will fail the country, they’re concerned they’ll succeed.

    • B. Trump says:

      I think your right there@ HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM it may be just the OBAubp way to ensure a 4 vote majority. After all there is much work to be done after the recent MESS created by the OBAubp in St. Georges. Your spot on !! REally Hopefully, they will see it must be done for the people of St. Georges and not only for political votes. But blindness might be the issue.

  4. Andre says:

    Lol! Proof that talk is cheap.

  5. Robert says:

    Fahy is a phoney

  6. MR says:

    Are you fools really criticising this move by the Govt??? You morons are moaning that money is going to St. George’s to fix up the place. I really don’t see how this can be negative. HOW on Earth can this be a bad thing???

    We really are in such a bad state with these types of childish opinions. Jesus Christ.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Like I said, they’re not worried that the Government will do badly and fail Bermuda, they’re worried that they’ll do well and their political party won’t win in the election. You know, the one 4+ years away…
      Why else would they bill trying to revitalize St. George’s, otherwise known as “helping a sector in our community that is hurting”, as “a way to ensure a 4 vote majority”?

      This also shows an almost insane lack of understanding of, like, what the job of Government it, as well as an obsession with winning the election, above everything else, INCLUDING what’s best for the country.
      It’s all about election strategies to them. Nothing else.

  7. My Kind says:

    Robert: I’ve heard negative remarks about Fahy before – about how he’s not a ‘real’ Bermudian since he’s only a Status Bermudian. At least he’s doing something. Also, if he’s a Status Bermudian it means he chose to be one of us – and I’m sure he values that choice – unlike a lot of ‘real’ Bermudians who have no clue how lucky they are – by birth.

  8. Babylon says:

    The OBA needs to help the people in St.Georges,after years of neglect!

  9. Educator says:

    St George people are so tired and wanting someone to give a hand out. By the way I live there and own there.

  10. Kindley says:

    As I have said many times before in comments St. George’s is the crown jewel of Bermuda. Perfect vacation spot of the island. No need to take a taxi or bus when you can walk or feel safe on a rented cycle to beach, eating out, grocery store, shopping.

    Build something like The St. George’s Club, open the golf course, have regular hours for the downtown shops and utilize Fort St. Catherine’s beach by having rental chairs/etc. Ordinary people (not the rich & famous from NY) would flock there. St. George’s has so much to offer. I hope that the government will follow through with plans to at least maintain St. George’s.

  11. watching says:

    I am a PLP supporter but i do believe that not enough was done to benefit St George’s under our government.
    That being said though, I would like to hear more directly from MPs Bascome and Outerbridge, versus hearing from the Ministers and the CoSt.George. From a local level, Ms. Outerbridge hasn’t been that vocal or visible. Senator Renee Ming has been much more community oriented.

  12. My Kind says:

    All PLP did was knock down the hotel, close the golf course and knock the golf club restaurant down too. All to feed the ego of the one man who pushed the button.

    That’s what PLP did for St G!

    Thank goodness that we have responsible people in charge now, and that the man mentioned above has left us and gone back ‘home’.