Government will carry out a study into St George’s ageing wastewater system in an effort to resolve what has been a lingering cause of complaints.

The Ministry of Public Works is to conduct a study to help develop a strategy to improve wastewater servicing and infrastructure in the town, including the wastewater collection system, ocean outfall and flushing water system to the town’s east.

“The study will consider several wastewater servicing solutions and will recommend a preferred option,” Government announced in yesterday’s Throne Speech.

St George’s Mayor Garth Rothwell said studies have already been carried out on the flushing and wastewater system in the town.

“One hopes that this study will build on the information that already exists in those studies which are available at the Corporation,” he said.

“In addition, the Corporation produced a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a wastewater study when it seemed likely that the hotel next to Fort Victoria was about to proceed. It was the Corporation’s intention to piggy back on the hotels wastewater treatment facility. Nevertheless, forgetting that detail, it is good news.

“I would encourage the Government to [factor in]: a small cruise ship at Pennos [Wharf]; a marina for transit yachts off Ordnance Island; a hotel on the Fort Victoria Hill; and at least another two thousand visitors and residents in the town during the day staying at our bed and breakfast establishments, our three hotels, visiting our beaches, and enjoying our historic sites and tours and one of our many restaurants.

“Failure to include the demand from these sources in the near future will result in an undersized facility.”

It was also announced that the Ministry will be moving forward with plans to modify some of the Island’s shipping channels to accommodate the next generation of cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Quantum Class vessel in 2016.

“Work has progressed well to date with engineering, consultation and planning for the project conducted by local professionals,” Government said. “The coming financial year will see Requests for Proposals issued for the main contract.”

Meanwhile the Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC) has opened up Ships Wharf in St David’s to developers for Expressions of Interest. Government said it hopes of turning the wharf area into a “vibrant commercial site”, creating jobs for Bermudians.

BLDC will also replace the Southside wastewater treatment plant, and are set to modify St David’s Road to provide a smoother transition onto Southside Road.

The Ministry also plans to implement a phased plan to improve rest room facilities at the Island’s parks following the completion of the new rest room and lifeguard facilities at John Smith’s Bay, and will work alongside the Friends of the Bermuda Railway Trail to install a footbridge over Store Hill, safety connecting two section of the Railway Trail.

However, the Throne Speech also noted that a planned revaluation of the Island’s properties will be set back a year.

“The Land Valuation and Tax Act 1967 mandates a revaluation of all properties on the Island for tax purposes every five years,” Government said. “This is a significant project involving the revaluation of more than 35,500 valuation units and requiring all available department resources to complete.

“The current 2009 Valuation List was scheduled to be replaced at the end of 2014, however, because of a Supreme Court ruling, there was a need to revise certain sections of the legislation pertaining to the revaluation and the compilation of the next Valuation List.

“The necessary legislative changes were completed in July 2014, the next Valuation List will need to be postponed to 2015. The Government, consequently, will seek approval for the one-year postponement when the House of Assembly resumes business in this session.”