Cabinet approves business case on dump

Cayman News
October 12, 2016

(CNS): The outline business case setting out proposals for how government should move from dumping all of its garbage into a landfill to an integrated waste-management system has been approved by Cabinet, paving the way for the request for the procurement process to begin. Premier Alden McLaughlin, who has responsibility for the dump (a.k.a. Mount Trashmore), said government had approved the purchase of around 12 acres of land in the area by the dump for what will be much more processing of garbage in future instead of just dumping.

During a media ‘tour’ of the entire facility Tuesday, McLaughlin also revealed just how far government has come in getting to grips with what had been a mounting, unsustainable, combustible and poorly managed mix of rubbish heaps at the George Town landfill.

The premier admitted that it had taken time to find a sustainable solution to the whole garbage system, such as reducing the amount of solid waste Cayman produces, reusing, recycling and burning the garbage to make energy. He said government had to shape the right policy first and then find a way to implement it.

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Smith’s Cove Stays

Cayman 27
October 7, 2016

Smith Bacadere returns to the people.

Less than 24 hours after announcing talks were underway to buy over the prized land at the centre of public petition, Premier Hon Alden McLaughlin says Government and developers Bronte have reached a deal in principle for the purchase.

Mr McLaughlin told Cayman 27 hammering out the deal was not something achieved overnight since Government was on the heels of Bronte before the three storey, 24 unit condo complex became public.

He told the LA on Friday (7 October) a price is still being ironed out, but Government agreed to meet the purchase cost, stamp duty and associated costs incurred by Bronte.

However he said it’s about getting the land in the hands of the people of Cayman as soon as possible.

“We have already got a draft of the contract available for us for consideration and I am hopeful within a week or two we will actually complete the purchase,” Mr McLaughlin said.

The purchase will be paid out of the $60 million Environment Protection Fund and the land will be listed on the National Trust’s heritage registry and preserved as a public space.

Premier McLaughlin said he’s confident all MLAs will support the motion to withdraw from the fund.