Privatization And Access to Public Beaches

It is rather a backward move for the society to be engaged in a discussion regarding access to public beaches in 2018.  Why would any society limit access to public beaches whether unintentionally or by choice? This narrative clearly needs a new direction. To say that Jamaica requires a comprehensive and inclusive public beach policy is an understatement. The absence of an up-dated public beach policy has led us down this slippery slope where more and more of our public beaches are being privatized. As a result of this process beach access all across the country is being severely restricted. It is obvious that governments due to budgetary constraints cannot by themselves operate all the social amenities in a country; however, we must work together, both public and private sectors in ensuring that the average Jamaican who is earning minimum wage is not priced out of enjoying the natural resources of the country. It is a dangerous move when only the privileged few in the society due to wealth and or political connections have access to our resources. It is very disingenuous to refer to a beach as public when the cost to enter is prohibitive. Perhaps now is a good a time to examine what the 1956 Beach Control Act says, “an act relating to the floor of the sea and the overlying water and to the foreshore and beaches of this island, and to the establishment of a Beach Control Authority for the purpose of controlling and regulating the use of the floor of the sea and the overlying water and of the foreshore and beaches of this island in the interests of the public and of persons who have acquired rights therein and for purposes incidental to and connected with the matters aforesaid.”.This pre Independence Beach Control Act is outdated and no longer adequately addresses the complex issues regarding the definition of a beach. It is noteworthy to mention that in 2004 the Beach Control Act was amended but even so the configuration of a beach has changed many times since then. There has been at least a fourteen years span since the last amendment was made to the Beach Control Act and during this time, so much development has taken place in the country. The tourism sector for example continues to boom. Since then many real estate deals have been made between the State and private interests which has seen the construction of hotels all across Jamaica. Jamaicans have always had a good and sustained relationship with the beach, it’s ironic that even though a significant number of our citizens are unable to swim going to the beach has been part of the historic and cultural DNA for many families.  It bares thought that Vision 2030 which aims to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business is at risk of being derailed. A great deal of this vision will be lost unless we work to ensure that the society is seen by its citizens as being inclusive for all to share in the resources.  The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #11 which speaks to making cities safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable captures how important it is to have recreational spaces for a society in the pursuit of good citizenship. According to the United Nations, cities are hubs for ideas, commerce, culture, science, productivity and social development.
Towards a Culture of Social Development
According to a World Bank report, social development focuses on the need to put people first. The Report added that social development promotes social inclusion of the poor and vulnerable by empowering people, building cohesive and resilient societies, and making institutions accessible and accountable to citizens.
Governance is not about catering to private interest groups. On the contrary, governance is about the holistic betterment of all peoples, especially the poor and vulnerable who are often without a voice.  How many single mothers who earn minimum wage can afford to treat themselves to a day at the beach?  Summer is here and the days are exceedingly hot. Yet, a single mother of three children, who is earning minimum wage would find it next to impossible to take her children to a public beach which charges $1,000 for entry fee for an adult and $500 per child. The math just does not add up.  It is disturbing that more and more Jamaicans are feeling a sense of alienation due to polices which appear to cater mainly to private business interest groups. No one is arguing that a private investor should not be able to make a profit, however, we must remember the human factor at all times in doing the figures. Our people need to feel a sense of entitlement and belonging as much as the investor who puts up millions of dollars.
The Way Forward
There ought to be some legal stipulation that the citizenry must have full access to public beaches in instances where hotels or private interests construct along the public beach.  Access to public beach occurs in other jurisdictions such as in Barbados and Antigua. In fact a colleague in Antigua reported that beaches are public property and there is no cost to enter. He added that hotels are required to provide public access if they are construct next to a public beach.  Why is it so challenging for us to adopt this best practice?  The practice of denying average Jamaicans access to public beaches has been the reality for decades. The more things change it appears as if they remain the same. As a society we have allowed new forms of colonialism to take control of the heart and soul of the country. The Andrew Holness led government has promised to announce shortly an up-dated public beach policy. The society eagerly waits to see what will be included in such a policy.  Will the policy ensure for example that a household helper with three children can have full access to a public beach? Another contentious issue is that some of these “public” beaches do not allow patrons to enter with their own food. We continue to do a disservice to the country’s motto, “Out of Many One People” by having policies which promote a segregation of sort regarding some of our people. This practice is not in keeping with a principle of social inclusiveness and good consumer rights, and needs to end. The time to address these issues is now.  In the words of Friedrich Engels, all history has been a history of class struggles between dominated classes at various stages of social development.       
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#sustainabledevelopmentgoals #beachcontrol #publicbeaches #privatization #socialdevelopment #culture #socialclass

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