| Review of the National Physical Development Plan Workshop
Held at Les Cocotiers Hotel on 2 December 2002
Keynote Address byM. Choonee
Ex Minister of Housing & Lands
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here to address you to-day. I' ll like to congratulate the people of Rodrigues on their new status within the Republic and look forward to close collaboration with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. The coming into operation of the new political framework, will no doubt assist in speedier decision making, producing accelerated development and prosperity. The people of Rodrigues are known for their hard work and dedication. The Government is committed to nurture further, the economic and social progress of this island, within the decentralized framework. It is a great opportunity that a Draft Physical Development Strategy is ready at this particular period when the new Regional Assembly has been mandated. Planning the use of land vitally affects the development of a nation. Rodrigues is undergoing since the last few months a pace of development that it has never known before-the extension of the runway, development of schools, social facilities, housing etc. The on-going development at Plaine Corail is opening up international and regional links. Furthermore, with the larger ATR 72 aircraft serving the island, and with the interest of developing further the tourism industry, Rodrigues is poised to witness significant developments, including the Port Mathurin Waterfront and Tourism projects, over the next twenty years. In response to these challenges here and in Mauritius, the Government, through the Ministry of Environment EIP 2 Programme, has commissioned a review of the 1994 National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) both for Mauritius and Rodrigues in order to provide a sound basis for development planning over the next 20 years. Halcrow Group Ltd was appointed in mid April by the Ministry of Housing and Lands to carry out the review. The team of Consultants has already visited Rodrigues in May and met a number of people here from all sectors, M.P's, Public officers, NGO's and other Forces Vives. The main objectives of the study for Rodrigues will be to : provide strategic advice to Rodrigues Assembly on the efficient provision of transport and utility infrastructure. facilitate development opportunities for investors, both local and international promote sustainable development which conserves high quality agricultural land and sensitive environmental areas. propose the institutional and implementation changes needed to support follow- through actions, including the updating of the Outline Scheme prepared for Rodrigues in October 2001. Rodrigues has a mountainous topography. One of the greatest challenges to land use planning in Rodrigues is to prevent the continued scattered development and cluster them, so as to reduce the costs of providing expensive infrastructure and services and minimise the impact of future development on the exquisite Rodriguan natural environment and landscape. The new development strategy for Rodrigues is aimed at supporting, managing and facilitating land use changes, particularly in employment generating activities by identifying key settlement clusters and growth zones in the countryside and on the coast where strategic developments should be guided. The focus of the new Development Strategy is, therefore, based on how best to manage and adjust the release of land and sites for future growth, whilst recognising that some Rodriguans still like the dispersed lifestyle. In striving for a better quality of life and in order to achieve a more efficient provision of Government services, future development and housing schemes will need to move towards a more clustered form of growth. What is the plan's vision for Rodrigues? It is one which focuses on : "Encouraging economic growth in the town, the countryside and the coast, whilst maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment and striving for a more sustainable pattern of development which captures the special essence that is Rodrigues". Key aims of a sustainable future for the development of Rodrigues will include: Stimulation of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment Effective protection of the environment and prudent use of natural resources Social progress which recognises the needs of all Rodriguans It is projected that the population of Rodrigues will increase from 36,000 to 44,000 in 2020. New housing, social and community facilities, as well as increased public transport and infrastructural services have to be planned for and programmed for implementation to meet future needs. Preparing the new Development Strategy will not itself make things happen. The new Strategy will include recommendations for appropriate institutional and legal set up and mechanism to speed up the processing of development applications, the release of land and infrastructure implementation. This implementation mechanism is the second biggest challenge Rodrigues will have to address. For successful implementation, such a mechanism will need to have full support of a wide range of Government agencies, private sector stakeholders and the Rodrigues community. We are very happy that at the start of your new mandate, this Draft Document is available as a working tool to guide the Regional Assembly to make your island what you want it to be. We want you to respond to the Draft Plan and suggest the changes you want. Remember it is your plan. I hope that, following your deliberations, you will keep the essence of Rodrigues and let Rodrigues continue to be what you want it to be: stress-free, peaceful and simple, all the qualities that many modern societies have lost. With these words, I thank you all for your interest and participation. I believe that with the collaboration of one and all, Rodrigues can have a wonderful future. Thank you. | 
