Govt moves to avert flood disasters

New hillside development above 300 feet is being halted by Government in a bid to increase Northern Range conservation, Planning Minister Bhoe Tewarie announced yesterday. Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing Tewarie said relocation might be necessary in some cases affected by the new restrictions. Explaining the plan, Tewarie added: “But we’ll start with talk, not action. These are measures that we’re taking in the immediate present to protect the Northern Range and other hillside areas of T&T.” “We’re trying to address good practice, implement order and prevent tragedies as we’ve seen the effect of these things (hillside development) since 2006 up to last year.”

 

He said the last physical development plan for T&T was done in 1984. In proposals approved by Cabinet yesterday, Tewarie said new hillside development would now be curtailed for the steepest parts of the Northern Range from 300 and 700 feet upwards. However, some consideration might be given to allow some form of agriculture in the less steep areas, though new hillside development there will also be halted. On what might be allowed for agriculture, Tewarie drew reference to the hilly slopes of Paramin and such places. Site policy development standards were being formulated catering for particular areas. He said there are 61 communities in Tobago and 524 in Trinidad. A Planning and Development Bill would be brought to Parliament soon. Once the policy is established, developments already built up outside of the recommended and approved policy areas will remain, Tewarie said. “They will be retained provided they conform with the approved requirement, but such developments will not be allowed to expand. There will be no new permission for expansion,” Tewarie added.

 

He said unauthorised developments outside of the policy would be inspected and evaluated and a determination will be made on whether this would be regularised, or whether people would be asked to relocate. Tewarie said such determination would be guided by considerations of health, safety, environmental and water aquifer protection matters. “If there are unauthorised developments, we will have to make hard decisions about that and I’ve mentioned some of the considerations,” he added. His ministry which does not have documentation of unauthorised development, will now begin the process to obtain this. “Not in any oppressive or way to make it hard on the population but we’ll insist on enforcing good practice in development and we’ll find an amicable solution by using government agencies to make things possible and by engaging with people,” Tewarie added. “We’re bringing this now since the recent floods have given people the understanding that this is something that cannot be allowed to continue and escalate...so the climate is better to begin this; sometimes a small sacrifice can make a big difference to what it means to everyone else.” Tewarie said the move was based on consultations on hillside development over the years with agencies and stakeholders. An inter-ministerial team will supervise the plan.

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