Rose Place set for development

The Rose Place area can be developed into a major tourist attraction if the community’s thriving fishing industry is boosted and zones for residential, sporting and commercial activity are created.{{more}}

Chief Fisheries Officer Raymond Ryan announced these findings at a final consultation meeting, which took place on Saturday, August 29. These [the findings] came on the heels of a recently completed socio-economic assessment study that was conducted by an assessment team.

Ryan explained that the project would seek to improve fishing activities, increase income, improve quality of life, generate tourism activity, preserve the beach for the people of Kingstown and encourage sporting activity.

The study, which was developed by SocMon Caribbean, has been implemented in several islands throughout the region, and attempts to enhance understanding of communities and their relationship to coastal and marine resources.

Although this project is currently in the conceptual stage, the results of the study identified several issues that should be rectified in order to facilitate developmental plans. These include: high volumes of garbage disposed of on the beach, upstream pollution of the river that filters into the community, blocked drains, prevalence of mosquitoes and rats, improper disposal of human fecal waste on the beach, and lack of proper toilet facilities for squatters and residents.

They also include man-made hazards (such as storage of gasoline in homes, close proximity of wooden houses, and the use of candles and kerosene lamps), high levels of physical violence, selling and abuse of narcotics, poverty and high unemployment.

At the final consultation, Ryan disclosed that subsequent to the results of the study, a proposal for development of the community, located at the western end of Kingstown, was approved. It was then submitted to the government of Japan, the intended source of funding, for consideration.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, representative from the Goodwill Fishermen’s Cooperative Lyndon Moss pointed out that funding from the Japanese government is not a surety – especially now that a recent election has transferred power to the former Opposition (Democratic Party of Japan).

The proposal seeks to complete the development in three stages, creating zones for fishing activity, a fish centre, sports and beach park, residential housing and commercial activity.

Team Liaison Officer Junior Cottle, who is a resident of the area, expressed his enthusiasm for this venture and related that he believes it will also improve public awareness of coastal preservation. “This will not only impact on the residents of Rose Place, it will impact on wider society, too.”

Cottle continued: “I hope the findings [of the assessment study] will take us a step further!”

Several Rose Place residents attended the meeting to air their views on the matter. The general consensus seemed to be that they are in full support of the proposed development but are anxious to see more immediate work done to address the most pressing issues.

The assessment team comprised of members from the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (Cave Hill Campus, UWI), the Division of Fisheries within the Ministry of Agriculture, Goodwill Fishermen’s Cooperative, Environmental Services Unit and the Rose Place community.(JSV)