According to JTV Channel 55, Community advocate and businesswoman Sharon P. Flax-Brutus is demanding that elected officials formally declare their positions on the matter. Photo: VINO/File

Community advocate and businesswoman Sharon P. Flax-Brutus asserts that the controversy surrounding proposed exclusive access at The Baths is far from over, even as talks on the arrangement have been temporarily halted. Photo: Facebook

The National Parks Trust recently paused negotiations regarding an exclusive-access model following a directive from Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Trust, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), pending further government review. Photo: Facebook

According to JTV Channel 55, Flax-Brutus is demanding that elected officials formally declare their positions on the matter.

The National Parks Trust recently paused negotiations regarding an exclusive-access model following a directive from Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Trust, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), pending further government review.

Scrutiny over process & leadership

Following a recent virtual community meeting, Flax-Brutus commended the National Parks Trust for creating a forum for dialogue. However, she emphasised that the session generated as many questions as answers, particularly concerning revenue generation, legal authority, carrying capacity, and proposed rest days.

JTV Channel 55 reported that Flax-Brutus also criticised the format of the meeting, noting that technical difficulties raised doubts about whether every resident could participate fully. She specifically challenged the silence of key public bodies and elected officials.

The former Director of Tourism demanded clarity on the stances of the Premier, the Ministry of Tourism, the BVI Tourist Board, and the BVI Ports Authority. She questioned whether these key tourism and maritime entities were consulted as cruise industry negotiations advanced and also expressed concern over elected representatives remaining on the sidelines while residents were left to steer the debate.

Preserving Heritage and Public Access

Flax-Brutus described the world-renowned site as an essential part of Virgin Gorda’s identity, economy, history, and inheritance rather than a mere commercial attraction. She stressed that public access and capacity management should never be settled behind closed doors or presented to the public only after commercial terms have advanced. 

The public response, she noted, proves that management of the site is an issue of national significance across the entire Territory.

Calls for Transparency and In-Person Dialogue

Moving forward, Flax-Brutus is demanding full transparency and direct engagement from territorial leadership before any policy changes are finalised. She added that there should be an explicit public declaration from every elected member of the House of Assembly stating whether they support or oppose exclusive access, a properly advertised, in-person public meeting on Virgin Gorda with a hybrid virtual component for broader access, and the immediate public release of all capacity assessments, relevant studies, draft agreements, and legal advice.

While affirming support for sustainable revenue generation, environmental protection, and sound capacity management, JTV Channel 55 stated that Flax-Brutus remains opposed to granting exclusive access to any private entity. She maintains that no rest dates, capacity limits, or exclusivity agreements should take effect without independent assessments and genuine public consultation, noting that recent discussions represent only the beginning of the debate.

Meanwhile, Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has already strongly expressed that The Baths and Devil’s Bay must remain open and accessible to the public without exclusion or preference to any single commercial interest.

See related articles below:

The Baths & Devil’s Bay 'must remain open' to the public- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley

Public outcry over proposed exclusive cruise access to The Baths & Devil’s Bay