FREEPORT – An outspoken Grand Bahama resident is demanding that immediate action is taken to prevent the further deterioration at Gold Rock Creek in East Grand Bahama.
Public relations businessman Peter Adderley has expressed strong concerns over what he says is the destruction of one of the most pristine beaches in the country.
He claims that the since the production and filming of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean II and III last year, the once beautiful Gold Rock Creek beach – which is featured on the Ministry of Tourism’s website – has been ruined.
“I have a personal and professional obligation to the promotion of the island of Grand Bahama,” said Mr Adderley. When you go to the Bahamas website, and in particular, the Ministry of Tourism’s website for Grand Bahama, the Gold Rock Creek beach is highlighted. What is on that site does not exist anymore. It has been ruined; it has been damaged, and somebody needs to take action now.”
Mr Adderley says he intends to make a presentation to Disney’s representatives “in a matter of days” of what has happened at Gold Rock Creek.
“Based on my research, Disney is an environmentally-friendly operation worldwide. And I am advised that they are not aware of the cruel impact it has had on this eastern area,” he said.
However Paul Quigley, chief operating officer at Bahamas Film Studios, said the beach “is not destroyed by any means.”
He explained that the only change that has taken place is that some small rocks have been deposited on the beach.
Mr Quigley said it is not known whether the rocks came from the excavation of the water tank constructed by the studio for filming, or whether they came in after Hurricane Wilma.
According to Mr Adderley Mr Quigley’s denial “does not stand up with common sense”.
“Since his investment here and the production, things have changed drastically with the beauty; with the environmental status; and with the state of this place,” he said.
Mr Adderley said residents are very concerned about the state of the beach and the environmental impact on the creek and water table.
He claimed that some locals have been denied access to their property, because stone has been piled up along a verge by contractors hired by the Ministry of Works.
“These persons have invested many years ago in what was once prime property, or perhaps the greatest charm of our properties here on Grand Bahama,” he said.
Mr Adderley said residents have written to all the relevant authorities and have only been given “lip service from passive politicians”.
“They have gotten token town-meetings but have gotten no results; no comfort, and no confidence in what has been said to them because of the lip service.”
“There is a representation of a cross section of people, includinging foreign investors permanent residents, and Bahamians. And they have done their best to give it a diplomatic approach because they, and I, appreciate the balance between investment development and our environment.”
“I have every confidence that should the prime minister take a personal visit to this area and examine closely what has happened and the potential of the damage in the future, he would be ashamed of what has been allowed to happen, and would put an end to any further development without a clear scientific explanation of what the potential damage is.”
Mr Adderley said he believes the entire situation is being treated as a trivial matter.
“The Grand Bahama Port Authority should have some obvious interest in this as well because they own property out here. And so the chairman Julian Francis and the prime minister need to come and see for themselves with the naked eye.
“And I have confidence that once they would done that, changes would be made and – changes would be made immediately,” he said.
By DENISE MAYCOCK, Tribune Freeport Reporter
