Protesters gather ahead of Tucker's Point Parliamentary debate

This is the view of protesters who gathered outside of the House of Assembly today, ahead of the SDO debate.

Environment Minister Walter Roban tabled the SDO last month but environment groups have publically protested it.

The debate was scheduled to go ahead this afternoon after being postponed due to debates on the Budget.

Protesters say Government is rushing the debate without knowing all the facts.

Ray Charlton said once the SDO was granted, Tucker’s Point would be able to build wherever they wanted to on the land.

“We have heard Ministers and Senators coming out and telling us that the general public will have their say and they can go through the normal process, [but] if the SDO is granted, it’s too late,” said Mr. Charlton.

He claimed the “major concern” was that even if there were restrictions, the developer could still build where they liked.

“My reason for being here today is that we keep hearing from the Ministers and Senators that it’s an in principle application and the general public will have the opportunity to protest.

“The legal opinion says that if the SDO is granted then the Department of Planning can’t overturn that and Tucker’s Point can build on the land.”

Up to 10 people gathered to join the protest.

Mr. Charlton said: “It’s still early and the appeal just went out this morning. I don’t care if it’s five, 10 or 50 people.

“I believe we are being hoodwinked. We can’t wait until it’s approved. It will be too late. We will be losing habitat.”

Mr. Charlton said he believed Tucker’s Point was a “fine” property but also pointed out that this would be the third SDO granted to the resort.

“What is it going to take to make their tourism model viable?

“The damage to our tourism image is already done. We need to reinvent ourselves and re-market ourselves. “

Mr. Charlton suggested an environmental impact study be conducted before the debate.

‘To be prudent, the best thing to do would be to have it delayed for six months. Let’s learn whether or not it can in fact save them.

‘This land is significant for so many reasons and I find it strange that we need to push this through quickly.