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Meeting today to discuss CGB beach reopening ‘once & for all’ – Hon Turnbull

The world renowned Cane Garden Bay Beach has still not been officially declared reopened for recreational use, even though follow up water quality tests have ‘cleared the way for its reopening. Photo: VINO
According to Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), left, the matter of the reopening of the Cane Garden Bay Beach will be addressed once and for all at a meeting today, January 26, 2018. Photo: VINO
According to Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), left, the matter of the reopening of the Cane Garden Bay Beach will be addressed once and for all at a meeting today, January 26, 2018. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons in attendance at the public meeting on the proposed Sewerage Project for Cane Garden Bay on January 25, 2018. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons in attendance at the public meeting on the proposed Sewerage Project for Cane Garden Bay on January 25, 2018. Photo: VINO
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI- Some four days after this news site had reported, on January 18, 2018 that follow up tests, according to Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, had cleared the way for the reopening of the world renowned Cane Garden Bay Beach for recreational use, the Department of Information issued a press release stating that the beach had been reopened, but was subsequently pulled from the Government website.

When our newsroom contacted the Department of Information on the missing press release on January 23, 2018 we were told “the story is being edited and will be reposted.”

The question on when the beach would be reopened was asked at the public meeting on plans for a Sewerage Project in Cane Garden Bay on January 25, 2018. The meeting was held at the Cane Garden Bay Methodist Church.

According to Hon Turnbull, the matter will be addressed once and for all at a meeting today, January 26, 2018 where an official statement on the beach reopening will be made.

“We have a meeting set for tomorrow (today) to address it once and for all. But the additional testings have been done since the last matter that came up, so in that meeting will be an official statement from the Ministry as it relates to the beach.

“One thing I can say is that the last two tests have improved significantly so we are moving in the right direction.”

Poor water quality

The world renowned beach was closed for recreational use “until further notice” due to poor water quality back in December 2017.

The announcement had also come days after Second District Representative Hon Turnbull had blasted his own National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for neglecting Cane Garden Bay following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.

Water quality sampling of popular swimming beaches was recently conducted at Cane Garden Bay, Smuggler’s Cove and Long Bay, Beef Island.

Acting Chief Conservation Officer, Mr Kelvin Penn in December 7, 2017 had said the results obtained for Cane Garden Bay indicated poor water quality in the swimming water which may have resulted from the excess runoff into the sea due to heavy rainfall just prior to testing and the non-functioning sewage treatment plant.

Meanwhile, it was noted at the public meeting that even though there are still issues with the sewerage plant at Cane Garden Bay, sewage is being pumped out on a regular basis and put into the sewage treatment plant in Road Town.

13 Responses to “Meeting today to discuss CGB beach reopening ‘once & for all’ – Hon Turnbull”

  • Simple.. (26/01/2018, 08:28) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mitch Needs to Switch. That's the best way forward for him. He will not win under NDP banner next election... I only see NDP having 3 seats come next election and he is not one of them...This move is good I'm so glad that workers can get back to their Jobs.. The amount of people out of work including BVIsanders..Not a word of comfort from the Minister. NDP will pay next election. May not be their fault.. Their is nothing to show they care or concern...
    • Really? (26/01/2018, 10:36) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      What does switching back and forth really do? Will it change the make up of the do nothing government departments? Why are we continuing to look at everything politically and candidate wise and not looking at the real issues? Mitch switching will fix roads? Will it fix the mess at Port Authority at the Purcell Loading Dock? Will it fix the sewage and other issues in his district? Will it fix the roads and infrastructure? Will it fix telecoms and internet services? Come on! It's time to hold these civil servant's feet to the fire and stop hiding behind politics all the time. The truth is a lot of these departments need shaking up and getting real people at the helm to move things forward. He could go VIP, NDP, LMNOP and not a damn thing will change unless we change the machinery from the inside.
      • @ Really. Here is Why? (26/01/2018, 11:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Change things. Try something different if what we have ain't working. Put country above self for the better..
  • All White (26/01/2018, 08:36) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good news.........Mitch give Frazer a talk. Time to move on......All 4 of NDP at Large Will lose. NDP is out. This is base on the public unhappiness..
  • trrefdrfds (26/01/2018, 09:02) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Poor mitch the ndp got no respect or regard for him smh
    • At Latge Members (26/01/2018, 11:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      U the at large members can come together and take over and change things in this country.. Just find away, make some compromises... Six of u all. Make the switch make the change. Truth is, only Marlon from your group stand a chance of wining next election. Wise up..face reality, pbut country above party..
  • retired (26/01/2018, 09:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hopefully the participants in this meeting are aware of the forecast ground seas for this coming Sunday to Tuesday(28-30 Jan). It would be wise to keep tourists off the CGB beach until the ground seas subside.
  • @All White (26/01/2018, 10:37) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    All four NDP at-large will lose? To who? Willock? Dancia? Sharie? Edmund? Zoe?
  • Other beaches??????? (26/01/2018, 10:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is the water at Brewers?
  • Lord 0.. Too Much (26/01/2018, 11:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too much things working against us.. Our government. Employers. Now the up coming weather, high seas and a minor storm In Jan-Feb..
  • wize up (26/01/2018, 13:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    switch mitch!!! Or will mitch make the switch!!
  • Shea (26/01/2018, 17:59) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well until they make up their minds, the tourists and locals have been having a grand ole time at Long Bay East and Josiah’s Bay. They are very happy to be there and learning to surf at Josiah’s Bay and eat and relax at Long Bay. So happy other beaches can make an income too.


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