Government will start developing a national Sustainable Development Plan in January, Premier Alex Scott announced yesterday.

The plan will be be the most far-reaching ever undertaken in Bermuda's history, he told the House of Assembly.

“As the Government embarks on the implementation of a Social Agenda for all Bermuda's people, we will hinder and undermine our own potential if we are not careful in handling our resources and environment,” he said.

“It is therefore essential that we prepare a strategic sustainable development plan which protects our environment and takes account of the community's social needs, while at the same time maintaining a necessary level of economic growth.”

The project is timely, he said, in light of intense pressure on Bermuda's infrastructure, housing market, schools and roads.

“Unprecedented rates of growth and development have resulted in Bermuda nearing the saturation point as the environmental and social costs begin to outweigh the benefits of economic prosperity,” the Premier said.

The first phase of the plan, beginning in January, 2005, will involve the development of a project plan to be approved by Cabinet. Following Cabinet approval a project team will be seconded to the Central Policy Unit for approximately six months to develop proposals.

Once Cabinet has reviewed and approved those proposals, Mr. Scott said, they will be presented to the House of Assembly.

The plan must encompass all aspects of development, the Premier warned - not just the environment. It must also go further than ever before.

“In the past, this Government and prior Governments have introduced policies and legislation that: controlled the acquisition of land and property by non-Bermudians; controlled the ownership and size of motor vehicles; created a hotel phasing policy to control the development of new hotels relative to the carrying capacity of the Island's air links, labour force, beaches, services and facilities; and, instituted an Island-wide development plan introducing zoning regulations to protect open space, woodland, arable land, nature reserves and caves.

“These steps, however significant, did not go far enough to ensure a better quality of life in Bermuda for generations to come.

“They were not joined up, in that policy makers of the day, whether due to lack of clear direction or resources, did not stand back and look at the entirety of Bermuda.”

Sustainable development will require a change in thinking, the Premier said, and a need to be constantly mindful of the long-term implications of every decision made.

“Ensuring that development in any country is sustainable is one of the greatest challenges of our times,” he said.

“Development must be sustainable in order to provide a foundation for a better quality of life for everyone - now, and for generations to come.”

Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons said the Opposition was “delighted” that Government has “heard our continued calls for a national sustainable development plan”.

Saying the United Bermuda Party has been calling for such a plan since 1998, he said his party was now awaiting “with interest” the final report and implementation plan.