UPM aiming to gut National Conservation Act
(CNS): The UPM government has been holding a series of closed-door meetings in recent weeks, CNS has learned, in an effort to make worrying changes to the National Conservation Law to remove the already limited powers it provides to protect the environment. The UPM wants the requirement for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for government projects to be removed, to alter the make-up of the National Conservation Council, remove the technical expertise and to allow public departments to decide whether or not projects such as roads and multi-storey tower blocks need to be referred to the NCC.
Officials have confirmed that Parliament has been postponed until 5 July. CNS understands that this delay is to give the administration time to draft the changes to the conservation legislation and still allow the 21-day consultation period before the MPs debate the law.
While there is likely to be significant public backlash to the proposed amendments if they make it to parliament, the opposition is unlikely to object, as the previous PPM administration also attempted to gut the law but pulled back from doing so after technical and legal advice. While some developers and politicians still believe the NCC is too powerful, this is simply not the case.
A committee created by the PPM-led government and chaired by then-premier Alden McLaughlin held a meeting in July 2019. According to the minutes of that meeting, which CNS has seen, legal experts found that the NCC only makes recommendations, not decisions, except in very rare circumstances when an officially protected area or species is under threat.
But since the political coup in October last year when Wayne Panton, the architect of the conservation law, was ousted as premier, he has become isolated in this matter and is the only MP likely to vote against any changes if the amendments make it to parliament. The proposed redraft of the law, which has not yet been made public, was due to be considered by the UPM caucus on Monday so that the process of getting the bill to parliament could begin.
According to sources close to the sustainability ministry, the proposals may still not make it to the floor of the House, but CNS understands that the current administration is determined to weaken the law. It is therefore likely that the changes will have a serious impact on the ability of the NCC and, in turn, the Department of Environment to do their jobs and protect Cayman’s dwindling and perpetually threatened natural resources. It will undermine the already limited powers of the NCC and allow the controversial development to continue unimpeded.
Nevertheless, the broader public continues to make it clear that they want a moratorium on development, particularly around the coasts, as well as an end to the clearing of wetlands and more, not less, protection for Cayman’s natural and cultural resources.
There have been two public meetings so far in the planning department’s roadshow to gain support for the draft Planning Statement, a preliminary document that will set the stage for the new and long overdue national development plan. It is already apparent that people want development to slow down and be focused on what is beneficial to Caymanians and their needs rather than development for overseas investors to make a profit.
The National Conservation Council and the act that created it continue to be criticised by the planning department because the NCC has challenged a tiny number of their decisions to give planning permission where the environment has been specifically threatened.
Even after ousting Panton from office, the government has continued to use the term “sustainable”, while wetlands and dwindling pristine forests, home to Cayman’s unique and indigenous species, continue to be cleared on an almost weekly basis. Coastal setbacks continue to be waived, even in marine parks, and after-the-fact planning permission is still being granted even after unlawful land clearance, and while developers are encouraged to use turtle-friendly lighting, this is not always made a condition of planning approval even in critical habitat.
It appears that the government is particularly keen to remove what it sees as the unnecessary requirement for EIAs for projects associated with the government. It aims to change the law to make Cabinet exempt from having to consult with the NCC, effectively giving it the power to approve projects such as the East-West Arterial Road extension and the airport redevelopment without an EIA.
CNS understands that the changes will allow developers and landowners to challenge restrictions on their ability to develop land, making such appeals directly to Cabinet, which will have the power to overturn such decisions.
The government is also planning to politicise the NCC and remove the voting rights of all of the Department of Environment’s experts. In addition, the changes to the legislation will remove the requirement that four of the non-government members have specific and relevant technical expertise. The changes will effectively remove science from the decision-making process around protecting the environment.
Aside from the obvious threat that poses to our environment, if the government makes decisions without fully understanding the consequences, it falls foul of the advice given repeatedly by current and previous auditor generals that CIG boards need more, not fewer, experts to serve so that public authorities become more effective and efficient.
CNS sought comment from Sustainability Minister Kathy Ebanks-Wilks, who was present at the planning meeting in her constituency of West Bay Central last week, where the audience was overwhelmingly in favour of curbing development. She responded that she was unable to comment on the amendments to the law but remained in support of protecting the environment through legislation.
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Category: development, Land Habitat, Local News, Science & Nature
Fanatical Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Julianna has gotta go- decades as a hopeless leader of education and now the worst Premier in the history of the Cayman Islands.
CPA lost at first instance.
CPA lost in Court of Appeal.
CPA were refused leave to appeal to Privy Council by CA.
CPA direct application to Privy Council was refused.
So they are down to their last throw of the dice.
Whose ego got bruise up?
Male egos.
another one who hasnt read the judgment.
Oh, I’m sorry, tell us where in the judgementS it says that the CPA did not lose? Go on oh great reader, we will wait in awe of your silence.
(From CICA Civil Appeal 22 and 25 of 2022)
IF this does get posted – I will take the opportunity to clarify a couple of the judgment items:
Paragraph 21
By section 41(3), before granting planning permission which would or would be likely to have an
adverse effect, the CPA is under a duty to consult with the NCA, “in accordance any guidance
notes issued by the Council” and to take into account the NCA’s views. The effect of section
41(3) when read with the definition of ‘adverse effect’ in section 2 is that the duty of consultation
and the duty to take into account the NCC’s views on a proposed grant of permission is triggered
in any case where the proposed development would be likely to create a risk to the environment
or to any natural resource. Because of the use of ‘may’ in the definition section (section 2) this
threshold triggering those duties is low. – (its not just Marine Protected Areas and Critical Habitat – its also the ‘environment generally’)
Paragraph 38
Properly construed, therefore, adverse effect is to be assessed by the CPA, under both section
41(3) and section 41(4), prior to consideration of any conditions. The risk of harm posed by “any
action” must be assessed prior to consideration of the conditions which might eliminate that risk.
The Judge’s Reasons and the NCC’s error under section 41(5)
Paragraph 48
This analysis of section 41 enables me, at this stage, to explain why all parties rejected the
decision of the judge and accepted that the appeal should either be allowed or dismissed on other
grounds.
Paragraph 50
The Judge fell into error. The question whether the planning permission created the risk of harm
to the environment or to a protected area was for the decision of the CPA. An appeal against that
decision may be made to a Tribunal under section 48(1) of the DPA. It is unnecessary to dwell on
the Judgment, save to say that it was not open to the judge to rely on records of Parliament in
Hansard. (the previous judgment was WRONG – both sides conceded and for some reason the appeal was switched to an alternate argument)
Paragraphs 52 + 53
The other point which can now more fully be explained relates to the NCC’s direction under
section 41(5) to the CPA both on the first planning application, when the CPA ignored it, and on
the second, when it took the view that the direction was unlawful.
53. It was unlawful, because under the statutory scheme it was not open to the NCC to give that
direction prior to the CPA seeking approval under section 41(4). The duty to direct under section
41 (5) only arises following the sequence of events identified in section 41(4), namely after
approval is sought and after the NCC has considered whether to give approval, with or without
conditions or to direct refusal. In the case of both the applications, the NCC’s direction was
premature. But that did not remove the obligation of the CPA to comply with its own duties of
consultation under section 41(3) and its duty to consider the question of adverse impact and to
seek approval under section 41(4).
But you should really read it for yourself instead of allowing people to only possibly provide you with opinions versus facts.
Hooray, we can finally get the building going. Thank you Madam Premier and your strong leadership. Now lets build the port so we can get the cruise ships back. CPA all the way!
Don’t forget 50-storey skyscrapers!
But at the town hall meeting they did not mention this.
Actually, the Privy Council has thrown them out now too. They’re just keeping it quiet. Too embarrassed I guess. Or hoping that people won’t draw a line from that loss to ask who is writing the changes to the conservation law?
JCPC 2024/0008 “Permission to appeal is refused because Grounds 1 and 2 raise no arguable point of law, Grounds 3 to 5 therefore fall away. In any event this is not an appeal which should be considered at this time”.
https://www.jcpc.uk/news/permission-to-appeal-2024-04.html
Vote these idiots out at the next election!
We thought we had done that in the last election! I’m so over these people!
The Cayman Islands are so SCREWED!!! Self interest will tear the island to shreds… I feel sorry for the people of the Cayman Islands that love their country… It will not be the same EVER again if some sanity and checks and balances are not observed!
Vote her Out! And all of the others like her!!
“To have a villainous ruler imposed on you was a misfortune. To elect him yourself was a disgrace.”—Samuel Adams
In order for your comment, or the quote, to be relevant or even remotely pertinent, Cayman would have to implement a national vote.
It’s implied and makes people think!
Shit beer, shit quotes.
If we didn’t think our elected morons were stupid enough, now we know for sure. Yes, let’s have LESS technical expertise for major infrastructure projects. Yes, let’s have LESS accountability to what little land we have left. Yes, let’s ensure our native species have NO space to live and breed. Yes, let’s make fool fool idiots in charge of every last decision so there’s NO accountability when people’s lives and property are at stake. Who do you think you are??
Contact your district MPs, the Premier and all other MPs as well to make them know you do not stand for this foolishness.
We want MORE technical expertise for sustainable practices as our island develop.
We want MORE accountability to the protections provided in the Conservation Act for Cayman’s unique and endangered animals.
We want MORE commitment to the responsible and sustainable development of our islands by making all NCC recommendations binding like every other consulting entity.
NOT LESS!!
It’s a shame healthy soil, clean air and water and unique plants and animals only provide us with everything we need for life. If they had more value maybe we’d protect them more.
– Said idiots in the Cayman Islands Government
I want the same type technical experts looking at our education system, Caymanian workforce, our senior’s ability to retire, our health.
Bring more expertise, not less.
Shameful. They need to be voted out.
NCL doesn’t work, way too much power and conflicts with the NCC and a concentrated few people. Public should vote on any protected area and species not that bunch of extremists.
Protected areas and species go to public consultation you dim wit. Cabinet always has final decision. But if you don’t care about protecting unique plants and animals then you don’t care. I for one, want my children and grand children to know the difference between a blue iguana and a sister islands rock iguana and a green iguana, a red-footed and brown booby. Do you even know the difference?
Dumbass – the public are CONSULTED on protected species and protected areas and it CABINET who decides what is protected and what is not.
We got what we elected. We wanted grass roots and boy did we get it.
When are we going to learn that we need highly educated people to run our country and solve our most difficult issues.
Look at the jobs our MPs held before coming into government. Why did we think they could solve our complex issues?
Dream Cabinet for next year
Dan Scott
Roy McTaggart
Joey Hew
Moses Kirkconnell
Andre Ebanks
Wayne Panton
Dwayne Seymour
Alden Mclaughlin
Come on put egos aside and make cayman sensible again.
Please leave Wayne, Dwayne, Joey and Moses out of this.
Find 4 educated, competent women who can work on teams and won’t cower to the men.
Try the 4 women who sit on the CPA. They know their stuff and don’t put up with guff.
I choked- seriously not that jackass Jon Jon!
Dan Scott
Roy McTaggart
Moses Kirkconnell
Andre Ebanks
Wayne Panton
Winston Conolly
Marco Archer
Nope, still wrong. Get rid of Moses. He fought hard to destroy George Town Harbour. We do not want people with vested interests in government – we want smart people who have spent their careers in service of the public good, not their pockets! I don’t want another owner of 10 businesses in Parliament. They only run because they want to interfere in the regulating of their industries and open up more opportunities for them to pillage and exploit. No thank you.
You mean the same Joey Who in Dart’s back pocket? You are joking, right?
Lmfao @ Roy, Joey, and Moses making your cut for anything considered beneficial for Cayman. And putting Jon Jon in there is beyond hilarious. You gah be related to him and/or in his pocket.
Dwayne Seymour? Dream Cabinet? You mad or wha’? He’s our MP in BT. He’s a hidjut supported by other hidjuts and Jamaicans.
That lineup is more like a nightmare. Dumb dumb Seymour, are you kidding? Alden “Swellhead” & Joey “Dartman” Who? You need more sleep, go back to bed.
Dwayne Seymour?? SMH
Moses Kirkconnell who did a not so excellent job of renovating the airport.
Joey Hew .. worst planning minister we had.
Alden McLaughlin who had a hand in making we us native Caymanians second class citizens in our own country.
There’s only two names worthy to be on your list, Wayne and Andre.
Was with you until DuhWayne Seymour….how does he fit your “highly educated” requirement..?
That looks more like a nightmare of a cabinet.
Please nobody from the Lodge!!!
And everybody should declare their interests!!!!!
get rid of Dwayne and I’d agree with you.
Follow the money………….
Ladies and Gentlemen, it looks like it’s time to clean house at the voting booth in the next election.
3:42, and replace the frying pans with the fires. Our political pool is always useless. The few with brains who run get nowhere.
On the same day we’re struggling with widespread flooding, our leaders are discussing how to water down the one piece of legislation that protects us from further environmental harm?
It would almost be funny if it wasn’t so terrifying.
I might not be able to vote on these legislation changes now, but I have a vote in the upcoming elections…
Politicians buy votes for handouts of a few dollars and then they use the power those votes gives to change our laws so that they can sell favorable decisions to developers and make millions – and we are the fools who allow this
When a developer shoves a few million in a corrupt politicians pocket why should the politician care what the electorate thinks – has anyone seen the new boats and vehicles these people have somehow acquired – not even their ridiculous unearned salaries can pay for those.
There is nothing that forces anyone to deliver on a bribe. That is really how dumb these politicians are.
True but if the politicians want the money to keep flowing they have to deliver – so they do
It is not millions. The going rate is 75k.
Even if it is 75K per decision in favour of a developer, politicians and their cronies make dozens of such decisions every month – just look at the weekly CPA agendas
Incredible news! More homes and communities will be built out east for low-middle income families. This will help reduce our cost of living, we need more homes being built and more subdivisions coming to the market. Will help curb increasing home and land costs.
Developer troll.
None these projects are for the average person.
Subdivisions out east cater to the average person. stop being a negative nancy
Can you really be that dumb? The developer lobby have no interest in building low-middle income homes. They want resort hotels and condos along every coast.
Build the low cost homes out east for the plebs and Jamaicans and keep the western part of the island for the “European” expats and “new Caymanians” in their gated communities and million dollar homes. Thats the plan isn’t it?
BINGO
Tell me how we can build low cost homes in the western districts? The land costs are too high to make any sense for a developer, which is often the problem and causes them to seek higher returning projects i.e developments for expats. This is why we need to push more subdivisions out east where it is still a cheap place for land.
And which part of the flooded east would accommodate these subdivisions? And how many more hours will people east of GT have to sit in congested traffic on already crippled roads? What sustainable improvements to the road and drainage infrastructure do are planned to fix this? Or (looking outside) are you intending to build houseboats?
The development cartel provided the promised funding that allowed the Teflon Don of WB to orchestrate the UPM coup. Now comes their reward at our expense.
Does anyone see a pattern here – a new development plan over which developers were given a section by section veto before it was released to the public and now a developer driven plan to gut the only piece of legislation that protects Caymanians and our environment from the even more rapid destruction of our homeland.
you are clearly gaslighting and havent read the new Plan. Theres no way developers doubled the size of the planning statement and introduced 21st century words like climate resilience, climate change and sustainability while referencing the environment about a dozen more times than the old plan. None…youre just trying rattle people.
It was reported that there was a consultation with developers before the part of the plan now public was put out for public consultation. I guess they had to reassure the developers that all of that nice stuff about sustainability was just fakery.
1:28 pm Please, just because “it was reported” doesn’t mean it was true. For the facts, please visit the Plan Cayman website and educate yourself.
https://www.plancayman.ky/
I believe the consultation you are referring to with developers was the full public consultation (ie NOT JUST DEVELOPERS) on the National Planning Framework which can be viewed here:
https://www.plancayman.ky/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/National-Planning-Framework-for-web.pdf
See this link https://www.plancayman.ky/faqs/ which states the following:
“What happened to the National Planning Framework that was published in 2018?
The policies contained within the NPF are being used as the basis for the updated Planning Statement document. In 2018, the then Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure and Department of Planning commenced the PlanCayman exercise to develop a holistic National Planning Framework (NPF) document. Consultation on the draft NPF commenced in November 2018 and was extended to February 2019 to allow additional time for feedback. Over 2,000 comments were submitted, from 356 responses, and these have all been considered in full and amendments to the NPF document have been proposed, where applicable.
In September 2019 the Central Planning Authority approved the final draft NPF document for transmission to the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure for adoption. In August 2022, the current Central Planning Authority reviewed the draft NPF, which has been revised to incorporate both Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, and forwarded same to the Ministry of Planning in September 2022. The final draft NPF was published on the PlanCayman website in February 2023.”
Honestly, they have too much power. Great news for my subdivisions and apartments.
Keep hearing this. But never which subdivisions and/or apartments have actually been stopped because of conservation issues? Would love someone to be able to give me chapter & verse for this.
God is good.
Hopefully this leads to Bodden Town returning to be the Capital Of Cayman. The fastest growing areas in cayman are Redbay Savannah and bodden town, and doesn’t look like eastend and northside are far off. Businesses need move to this side. so persons do not have to travel to town and west bay. Too many poor people on this side though not much money
Pure Jamaicans live out east, bobo. This is the slum part of the island.
True dat 7:42
UDP, PPM, PNA, UPM, call them whatever they say to call them, they are crooked peas from the same pod, some of them have been in every position of the pod.
There is no difference between our politricksters.
The new set of secret politricksters setting themselves up as being “NEW” have also all been in bed with the current Rainbow Coloured politricksters now in power.
The greedy pigs will destroy our only tourism product – the natural environment.
The construction of the highway out east has been a long-awaited development. This issue was created by numerous previous governments. The wealthy reside primarily in Seven Mile, and the high costs of renting and owning property there have forced the middle class to move out. Initially, the middle class relocated to Prospect/redbay, but continued population growth has now pushed them further to Bodden Town, East End, and North Side.
It’s important to note that many foreign workers who used to be able to afford to stay in Seven Mile and South Sound are now also settling in Prospect, Savannah, and Bodden Town. This situation presents Caymanians and residents with a difficult choice: do they want to own a home or preserve the environment? Unfortunately, it seems they cannot have both. Also start watching more of those space saving furniture videos from Asia on youtube. Unfortunately owning a home is out, only apartments. Which will create another issue they are not seeing, and ageing population because no one will be able to afford to having kids. Good way to kill the Cayman population I guess
False choice.
The National Conservation Law didn’t stop ETH or Linford Pierson so stop the crap.
NRA and PAHI don’t care about whose house gets flooded with this new road.
False narrative. It wasn’t around when those two projects started.
Why does it have to be one or the other, why not both?
“See the Shortlist of Alternatives 🎯 Four possible routes for the East-West-Arterial being considered by your EIA Study Team. Examining the possible effects of the potential alternatives helps us make an informed decision about the most suitable route. Get to know the alternative routes evaluation process today.
https://youreia.caymanroads.com/know-your-eia-facts/”
There can only be ONE reason why any MP would be choosing B1 or B3…
The original Family & Friends Programme bolstered by the UDP is back in full force! Wonder whose large tracts of land will be positively impacted by whether the Easte-West Arterial goes the direction of B1, B2, or B3…..
Good points – especially the ageing population one, haven’t given that much thought myself but huge upcoming issue. – I have one question for you – is living in those small apartments “from Asia” a bad thing ? ppl act like apartment living is that bad. Check out the ones in Singapore- not lost on me cost of living there higher than cayman- but I think it would be nice to live in a building where I have a gym – a little 7/11 – and a nice common area. Around the world most ppl have small living spaces- a life of excess is very very rare
what a load of tripe. If you think that the choice is environment OR homes you have already lost. The clear answer is that both are needed and – in this particular case – the conservation law has clearly done nothing to stop home or any other building. What we are seeing is some special interests whose development plans do not pass the common sense sniff test trying to make sure there is no independent review of their dumb ideas.
Don’t believe me? Ask to see one single home plan that the conservation law has blocked. – Then, if you do get shown a plan, ask yourself if that’s the kind of home you’re so worried about in your comment.
IYKYK
Honest question- do you live past the lantern point apartment complex ? Doubt iI would like for you to spend one week with me traveling from Bodden town to work in George Town at 830 am then decide if you think the alternatives work
The land deals for the EW arterial were made all the way along the original route all the way to (at least) NS road were made around 15 years ago, when some landowners who didn’t want to sell came under enormous pressure including threats of compulsory purchase orders when their “land would be worth nothing”. I imagine most of the land is now owned by these people who now seek to profit from the arrangement. Wonder who they are?
Music to my ears. We need a significant increase in infrastructure and development. People need to live.
Poor Infrastructure is the result of Poor Leadership and Incompetence.
National Conservation Act has not stopped one bit of development.
Since it was passed, development has taken off and is out of control. So clearly, that law isn’t the problem.
Weakening this law only helps “people” with dozens and hundreds of acres, people who drink $1,000 bottles of wine and who dabble in development because they are rich and bored.
Senior Civil Servants are also corrupt and complicit.
Disgusting!
Praise the lord, great news for my subdivisions
About time
Caymanians write to your MP and tell they better not bring this bullsh-t before they bring Immigration reform.
Immigration first
Development second
Cost of Living third
Priorities people
Don’t worry, surely that’s why we have a Governor; to protect us & OUR environment from political corruption.
Hahahahah
She is busy surfing and going to boxing matches with the same developers and paid for politicians
Is Kathy bringing this?
Oh right, bought and paid for.
West Bayers unna better remember this.
why do people not understand that things come down to majority votes…in Parliament and even the CPA. Y’all just keep generalizing. Zero incentive for the people who are fighting FOR you to even bother when all you do is make derogatory accusations. Its no wonder the good ones just walk away.
Granting discretion to allow environmental destruction to corrupt politicians who can then sell decisions to developers….. marvellous
This is truly, fearfully alarming news. Can you imagine the graft that would go on in future Governments and the rapid loss of our remaining environment if CIG could green light development in spite of easily foreseeable environmental concerns, for the sole gain of the development investors? Heaps of secretly offered money could easily sway Cabinet members to override science based recommendations from the DOE, NCC and the general public. Once the environment is destroyed, it remains permanently lost. At this point, the effect of population increase is like a plague of locusts upon the islands. The truth of that is visible all around us already. I’m asking my MP, Kenneth Bryan to side against defanging the NCC and against removing scientists from the CPA. That is precisely the opposite of what future Caymanians need done right now!
You can ask Kenny all you want, but he is bought and paid for long time. His wife is literally an immigrant real estate agent, who he has (illegally) advertised for. Your best bet is to work towards voting him out next election.
Kenneth would never have gotten in if it wasn’t for the rich cartel buying him off.
He is a willing slave to at least 4 of them.
Idiot dressing up and pretending to have an independent thought.
You’re asking who???? Bwahahaha
Perhaps the headline should read “Developers demand up front legislative change as ‘payment’ in exchange for hefty ‘campaign contributions’.
Corrupt greedy politicians + non-existent campaign finance laws + lots of money to be made destroying Cayman…. what could possibly go wrong
Not “upfront payments” for future campaign contributions, this demand for changes were paid for last November.
The National Conservation Act not only protects the environment, it protects our quality of life. If this government weakens the only environmental protection we have, we will all be worse off. Development that doesn’t consider its environmental impact is the opposite of sustainable.
Rejecting those with expertise in environmental matters puts us at risk of unintended consequences such as flooding, beach erosion, loss of habitat and even traffic congestion. Why would this government want to risk this? Who gains? Not us.
With a fast-growing population putting increasing pressure on our land, we need the National Conservation Act now more than ever.
How ironic that this article comes out during a day we experience intense flooding. This is what happens when you destroy mangroves. Vote every last one of them out! These Islands will be finished in the next decade if we don’t.
The 12 people at those meetings do not represent the views of the wider voting populace.
Same people in charge of education want to put themselves in front of environmental experts who go to years of school, ok so education is NOT actually a value according to the people in charge of education, got it
Not before time.
Vote no to all them CAYMAN!!!
Use your vote as your voice for once.
Voters should speak up in between election cycles. Nothing changes without big amendments to the rigged Elections Law.
Do we have a national storm water management plan?
Do we have a national transportation plan?
Do we have a national housing repairs plan?
Do we have a national reduce the cost of living plan?
A $50M school and gutting the conservation law.
UPM priorities.
UPM means Useless Politicians acting as Muppets
Please do not insult innocent Muppets. Our politicians are far worse.
Maybe not but we have Dwayne the brain as our labor minister!
Seriously.
What we need is a NEW LAW to protect Caymanians from policitians doing stupid sh*t. Do you ever about what harm this rate of population growth is doing to Caymanians?
This group don’t care about us, they only care about their paymasters.
First a $50M school on island with 168 students
Then an $8M accomodations block for construction workers
UPM = United to Pave More
United to Profit More
Under Performing Morons
Meanwhile, woefully inadequate hurricane facilities across the whole of Grand Cayman, particularly BT and EE. Irresponsibility and ineptitude at it’s worst.
Ignoramuses
UPM = Unicorns Pay More
All bought and paid for.
These UPM backwards thinking kretins need to go, it’s blatantly obvious they are out to fill there own pockets at the expense of hammering the last nail into Cayman’s coffin.
Two words………McKeeva Bush
DART
Julianna got time to bring amendments to the conservation law when she has done jack all to fix immigration?
WTF?
Conservation Law changes are not a priority. Change the immigration law. Where are those amendments?
We are giving away our birthright faster than this rain is coming down.
It is too easy for every tom, dick, harry, emma and ed and to get permanent residency and Cayman Status on this island. Stop It!
Caymanians are an endangered species, forced to move to North Side and East End to find ‘affordable’ housing.
Fix Immigration First!
The right-minded, intelligent people who are part of this terrible government need to extricate themselves from this mess. If that means joining with the PPM and other non-UPM members to form a new government, then they should do that for the sake of this country’s future. If they can’t govern otherwise, then they should call for early elections. One thing is for sure: The UPM has absolutely no mandate from the people to do this and any one of them who votes in favour of gutting the National Conservation Act needs to pay the price at the polls.
There is not a single member of PPM that does not agree with the decision to gut the NCC. PPM and their paid shills have fooled the people for long enough.
Alden said he was going to gut it remember? Then didn’t.
This is the crux of it. They want their cruise ship port and EE terminal. They need the EW arterial, they too make poor, whimsical decisions and stick two fingers up at public opinion, they’re just more “classy” and arrogant about it.
It is an open question as to how much the developers are paying each of our corrupt politicians – perhaps a certain WB politician has negotiated a bulk ‘sell out Cayman’ fee?
That’s just Andre then, being as Wayne is already gone.
This law took a decade to pass after countless public consultations and this government is going to guy it after a few weeks of closed-door meetings without any public consultation? This is beyond a travesty and people should demand they be stopped!
Well if there was any doubt about who controls the politicians, there you have it.
A handful of rich people didn’t get want they wanted and they pull the puppet strings of our elected puppets.
As if it works any differently in any other country
How can this be allowed without public consultation!? I doubt most Caymanians want any changes in conservation law. If anything we want tighter control on development. This is so utterly corrupt and short-sighted.
Look at today’s weather and what it has turned our roads into. Concreting over even more green space will only make these matters worse. We didn’t vote for this. We voted to slow down development. None of this benefits the island or its people. This purely serves a few very selfish and greedy people.
The public are consulted every four years. You get what you deserve.
We voted for preservation when we put Wayne at the helm of government and voted PPM out.
Every PPM minster was reelected. Nobody voted Wayne “in”. Try again.
Nobody voted for this collection of buffoons to form a government
Yes you did.
This is a government by coup. No one voted for it.
I voted for none of those who currently hold government. None of us deserve this foolishness. We were never consulted.
There should be continuous consultation, not every 4 years for politicians to make fake promises to the people which never materialise, and nobody’s held accountable.
This government should be disbanded and early elections held. No recent government has had even an iota of concern for the environment. Our Mangroves are being destroyed with impunity with no punishment handed out. If all you can do is destroy, GET OUT. YOU’RE A DISGRACE!! It’s not only the planning board’s decisions that are destroying the island but governments that have no interest in preserving it. GOD HELP US!!!
Start the petition
The petition is up: https://www.change.org/p/don-t-pave-paradise-say-no-to-national-conservation-act-amendments?recruiter=22935128&recruited_by_id=42a3c010-27d5-0130-b594-38ac6f16cbb1&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=share_for_starters_page&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=fht-490099806-en-gb%3Acv_1205561