ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 11th, 2013 - Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE is pleased with the large turnout and ample feedback provided at last night’s interactive public meeting on the proposed Landside Development of Gun Creek.
The meeting was held at the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School in North Sound, Virgin Gorda where over 200 residents attended.
In an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Premier Smith said, “I was very happy to see how well attended the meeting was, and I am very pleased that residents provided much needed feedback, which was truly the purpose of the meeting.”
According to the Premier, the meeting met its goal, which was to capture the thoughts and vision of the people of North Sound for the development of Gun Creek. “The fact that the meeting was so well attended proves that residents have a vested interest in the future of Gun Creek, North Sound and the island of Virgin Gorda,” he said.
Premier Smith continued, “Residents should be assured that we have taken note of all their comments and suggestions and are in the process of compiling and analysing the same, from which an action plan will be produced.”
At last night’s meeting, the Honourable Premier explained that Gun Creek is seen as the ‘Gateway to North Sound’ and is traversed by many of the Territory’s high-end visitors.
Premier Smith then stated it was Government’s intention to encourage residents to take advantage of the opportunities presented by developing the area to enhance tourism and boost the economy.
Deputy Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mr. Brodrick Penn presented a PowerPoint slideshow in which he highlighted Government’s vision for Gun Creek.
Mr. Penn told residents, “This meeting is meant to show residents how Gun Creek can be developed by residents of Virgin Gorda and even the wider BVI…Government will put in the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the development which will be designed by you, owned by you and operated by you.”
The deputy secretary’s presentation included a conceptual drawing which showed a proposed boardwalk, marina, parking, apartments and other accommodations. However, Mr. Penn emphasised that the conceptual drawing is only meant to show residents what can be done, and the proposed activities are only ideas.
Mr. Penn also pointed out that most of the land surrounding the proposed Gun Creek development is crown land and that there will be a mechanism put in place to coordinate how the land will be distributed, and eventually developed.
Before concluding his presentation, the deputy secretary said that there will be a committee formed in short order to ascertain other suggestions or concerns for Gun Creek’s development and encouraged residents to get involved.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, Minister for Communications and Work Honourable Mark W. Vanterpool, and Chief Planner of the Town and Country Planning Department Mr. Gregory Adams were among the official attendees.
The interactive public meeting is in keeping with the Government of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to building a ‘people Government’ through listening, collaborating, consulting and communicating.
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