The Sustainable Development Round Table released the following on September 5th:

The members of the Sustainable Development Round Table (SDRT) fully understand th need for a new hospital. We recognise the issues of time and space, and the conflicts involved with every possible site. In addition, we understand the rationale behind the decision by the Government and the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) to build essentially in the same location.

However, we firmly believe there is an alternative to concreting over even one single square foot of the Botanical Gardens and we will press the case for this alternative.

First, though, we need to look at the consultation process leading up to the last week's announcement.

One of the primary roles of the SDRT is to ensure that the voice of the public is heard and, more importantly, that the views of the community are taken into consideration with respect to major issues
that impact the principles and spirit of a Sustainable Development Plan for Bermuda. We are not entirely clear on the extent of consultation that was considered before the Government made its announcement. However, what is clear is that public consultation prior to this New Hospital decision was insufficient.

As evidence of this, there are questions that would normally arise during a thorough consultation. Many of these questions are as yet unanswered because the public has either had no opportunity to ask
them, or no opportunity to hear and respond to the answers. A host of questions now being asked in the community include:

* Where are the professional analyses and reports about the hardships of constructing on the existing hospital site? The public will want an opportunity to examine them.

* Was an environmental impact assessment done, taking into consideration all possible sites for the New Hospital?

* If not, why not?

* If yes, by whom?

* What was their consultation process and outreach?

* And where is their report?

* On what are the estimates of construction and reconstruction based?

* Do the estimates include the relocation of the existing twenty
buildings on the Botanical Gardens site earmarked for the New
Hospital?

* To where are these buildings being relocated?

In the brief time since last week's announcement we have learned of hospital upgrades, renovations and reconstruction projects on both sides of the Atlantic, where new construction is taking place on site
while the old facility continues to operate. We accept that these procedures present challenges but nowhere are the challenges insurmountable.

The New Hospital development will be the largest capital expenditure made in the history of Bermuda and as such demands full public disclosure. The support and commitment of the Bermuda public is critical. This support will not be gained through public relations exercises and statements that may have been cherry-picked from analyses the public has had no opportunity to see.

Lasting support comes from soliciting public views on this project, then providing extensive opportunities for those views and responses to be shared, considered, challenged if necessary, and adopted. More than a public relations exercise, this has to be a consultation initiative carried out sincerely and openly.

We note with disappointment some statements from the BHB/Government that have attempted to paint this as an issue of healthcare versus environmentalists. Such cavalier divisiveness is unacceptable. Weremind the Government that the BHB's own presentations last year brought forward construction at the existing site as an option. It is unconscionable for the Government or the BHB to derogatorily label those who favour its own option either as environmentalists or as anti-healthcare.

Bermuda's Government committed itself to open and transparent consultation when it launched the Sustainable Development Initiative - it cannot now abandon those principles. It is paramount for the
overnment to honour their commitment to both the Sustainable Development and to the people of Bermuda.

The Sustainable Development Round Table
SDRT@logic.bm

Contacts:
Malcolm Butterfield, Chairman, Sustainable Development Round Table, 294-2609
Stuart Hayward, 295-4334
Amanda Outerbridge, 294-7173