Abaco residents win battle in Guana Cay row

By IANTHIA SMITH, Guardian Staff Reporter

The $500 million Passerine at Abaco development has been put on hold after residents won their battle in court yesterday.

Representative of The Save Guana Cay Reef Association Attorney Fred Smith said the activists are very pleased with yesterday's results in their "long-term battle and war" to stop the project that they claim "will hurt the environment." He added that for too long, the government ignored the plight of the residents of Great Guana Cay.

"From day one we have been asking the developers and the government to just stop and take a breather," he said. " The foundation of this entire challenge is really the people of Guana Cay saying, 'This is our home, our land, our way of life.' Save Guana Cay succeeded and I am very happy."

Mr Smith said while the residents of Guana Cay don't oppose foreign investments, they say they are the ones who will be directly impacted by the multi-million dollar project and they should have a say in the procedures.

He also indicated that the government tried to "bamboozle" Guana Cay residents in the process but believes yesterday's ruling will cause the government and any prospective development company to be more cautious and deliberate in their approach.

"A new day has dawned in The Bahamas where people affected by development are taking a stand and are no longer prepared to simply be railroaded," he said. "As much as we need foreign investment, we are not giving our birth right away without being consulted."

The Passarine at Abaco Limited made an agreement with the Save Guana Cay Reef Association Ltd, for its employees and agents not to cut, tear down or remove any vegetation or trees, disturb or remove any mangrove or wetlands, excavate or dredge the land or seabed, erect any further buildings or structures on the land nor construct or pave any further roads, pending the hearing of the application for judicial review before The Supreme Court of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

The Save Guana Cay Association's judicial review application will be heard by a judge in the Supreme Court before January 31, 2006.

District Councillor for Great Guana Cay Glenn Laing said although he is happy that work has been put on hold on the island, the residents need more than a stop in construction to fully satisfy them.

"We want the Crown Land back," he said. "Because the residents of Great Guana Cay have no place to stay as it is right now and land is very expensive."

Mr Smith also indicated that an umbrella organisation called Save The Bahama Islands Association will soon be established to ensure that locals' rights are protected.

"I have been retained by a group out of Bimini who wants to create a Save Bimini Association," he said. "We have a Save Grand Bahama Island Association, A Save Harbour Island Association and eventually we will see an umbrella organisation."

Mr Smith also said he will continue to represent the wishes of Guana Cay residents until they are fully satisfied.

"We intend to fight this all the way to the Privy Council for however many years it takes to protect the locals' rights and to protect the environment," he said.

Since last year, residents of Guana Cay protested the $500 million Passerine at Abaco development.

The development includes the construction of a 585-acre luxury golf course, 240-slip marina and 350 residential lots, among other amenities. And although the government has already signed the Heads of Agreement for the development, Mr Smith has continuously criticised the government for allowing the Passerine Company to go ahead with its project.

Residents claimed that if the marina is constructed, it would kill the reef that is just 50 feet offshore and the dredging for the proposed marina would destroy 70-plus acres of mangrove, fish estuary and create further damage to the land.