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Introduction


St George is special – this is widely recognised! It is unique and retains so much charm, natural beauty, and original built heritage that it holds the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. This is a source of pride to residents and should be a significant visitor-based economic opportunity. Yet it is widely recognised that this opportunity has not yet been optimally leveraged. Just as significant, St. George is also a living town, with residents who aspire to the benefits of modern society.

A report by the Bermuda Economic Development Council as part of the background to declaring St George an Economic Empowerment Zone in 2011, considered that historically at least, St Georgians have been liberal and progressive in their thinking and open to new ideas, but it also concluded that throughout its history, the economic success of the town was largely driven by external forces. The report concluded that St. George has been reactionary in its economic development; that good times came when outside forces brought pulses of people to the town

The Corporation of St George recognises that we can no longer afford such a reactionary approach. In planning for the future of St George, we also know that like many other towns and cities, we are faced with a growing list of challenges that include economic (rising costs, supply chain issues, declining tourism, changing retail habits, small internal markets and vulnerability to external market shocks), social (lack of affordable housing, ageing population, inflation), environmental (increasing pollution, loss of natural habitat) and some, such a climate change, which have an over-arching impact on all of these.

This Strategic Plan represents our commitment to address the current challenges facing the Town, and to be prepared for those challenges yet to come. We believe we can use these challenges as opportunities to strengthen our resilience. 

But it’s a commitment that needs us to work together towards what we hope is a collective goal, to deal with the problems head on, to make tough decisions, to embrace hard work and to seek innovative solutions. It calls for us to remain open minded.

The Town Plan Survey

Town Plan FAQs
Meet the team that is leading the delivery of the Town Plan and gain insight into the process.

mayor

  • What is the purpose of the Town Plan? +

    A Town Plan gives the community direction on how their Town will be developed for the benefit of all.

  • How often is the Town Plan developed? +

    The Town Plan should be reviewed in line with the Government census. The census provides important indicators on demographic changes which impact resources and funding sources.

  • What does a Town Plan encompass? +
     “TownBoundry"Click Map To Enlarge

    Management of land within the following borders: 
    The limits of the Town of St. George shall extend from the westernmost line of the glebe land to the easternmost line of land formerly of Edwin Stone Burch, Esquire, afterwards of the Honourable A.F. Cockrane, Esquire, and shall include Ordnance Island and the causeway connecting Ordnance Island to St. George’s Island.

    Managing projects with such a size as:
    - St. George’s Marina Project
    - Restoration of docks at Market Wharf, Hunter’s Wharf, and Penno’s.
    - Park Gates embankment reinstatement
    - Reconstruction of the demolished building at 20 Wellington Street


    Managing limited funding sources
    - wharfage from airport
    - port fees from cruise ships and yachts
    - There are no municipal taxes to fund projects and/or service
  • What impact does a Town Plan have on: +
    - Residents - A plan indicates how many residents will have an adequate supply of municipal services such as trash collection, water, sewage and road access. And the creation of new services fits the purpose and overall vision of the Town.

    - Businesses - A plan indicates the resources available and services maintained to support current businesses and industries, for example, parking lots, road access and repair, planning approval, and dock facility support, to name a few. Additionally, programmes are designed to help encourage people to choose the Town as a place to live or vacation.

    - Infrastructure - A plan provides for the modernization of existing services and the accommodation of future services while retaining the island's national status as a World Heritage Site. A programme is built-in to monitor technological changes and introduce them in a timely fashion in conjunction with Town partners or new industries changes. Examples include the installation of fiber optic cables, CCTV cameras, a unified national sewage programme and even solar panels and charging stations. Although the Town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it maintains all modern conveniences.
  • Who do you partner/communicate with during the planning process? +

    Residents, businesses, the government, and investors are all involved in the process. Surveying, face-to-face meetings, research, and continuing engagement are all part of the Town Plan process.

  • What does the Town / CSG own, manage or maintain? +
    Main roads:
    Public municipal roads not private estate roads. Public Roads-MPW

    Buildings include:
    - Town Hall
    - Market Wharf Building
    - Penno’s Cruise Terminal
    - Queen’s Warehouse
    - Penno’s Warehouse

    Services:
    - Water
    - Sewage
    - Trash
    - Electricity (to CSG venues)
    - Street lighting
    - Parks
    - Beach building

    Contact CSG
    - To have events on CSG owned property
    - Inform us of property matter
  • What is NOT the Town’s property, assets or responsibility? +
    • CSG is not responsible for buildings and lands owned by private residents or businesses.  
    • CSG can only create ordinances to establish common standards.  
    • Architectural elements are the domain of St. George’s Preservation Authority (SGPA).
  • What current activity is in progress (that would be part of a Town Plan?) +
    All projects that are submitted for planning approval and requires CSG to provide approval.
Learn More
Town Plan Elements

There are many parts to the development and delivery of a town plan;
social, economic, infrastructure, and funding are overarching themes.

Assets
Roles
Plan Areas