Mr. Speaker, 

Today, I presented to this Honourable House for its consideration and approval the City of Hamilton Plan 2025 – or simply, "the Plan." This forward-looking document, prepared by the Department of Planning, will guide all future development activity in the City of Hamilton, excluding the North East Hamilton Local Plan 2022 area. 

The Plan is accompanied by two important documents: the Tribunal Report, which outlines its findings and recommendations, and the City Survey Report 2024, providing the background data and research that shaped the policies contained in this Plan. 

Once approved, the Plan will be published in the Official Gazette, representing a critical step forward in modernising the planning framework that guides development in the City. I invite all Honourable Members and members of the public to view the full documents online at planning.gov.bm, reflecting the Government’s commitment to accessibility and transparency in public policy. 

Mr. Speaker, 

This plan reflects not only policy but also a cultural shift in how we approach development in the City. For too long, outdated policies have limited good projects and prevented officers from using their judgment to achieve wellbalanced results. That changes today. 

The City of Hamilton Plan 2025 introduces a more flexible and holistic approach to planning that empowers technical officers to use their professional judgment more effectively while ensuring that every decision is grounded in design quality, sound evidence, and community benefit. 

Mr. Speaker, 

This plan is built on the internationally recognised principle of Placemaking. Development must contribute positively to the human experience of the city, not just in appearance, but in how people move, gather, and interact. By focusing on design, walkability, and mixed uses, we believe Hamilton can become more than a place of business – it can be a vibrant, safe, and inviting urban destination. 

Placemaking is not merely a catchphrase; it serves as a framework that underpins every major element of this Plan – from transportation to green spaces, from housing to commercial revitalisation. We prioritise people, and where they choose to spend time, economic activity naturally follows. 

Mr. Speaker,

As we adopt this modern and responsive plan, I want to address a concern I shared during the discussion with technical officers: building heights. 

Let me be clear: this plan does not open the door to 30-storey skyscrapers in Hamilton. 

While the Plan eliminates rigid, city-wide height limits, it maintains control and common sense. Instead, it introduces a smarter, more responsive framework that considers height and massing based on a building’s location, context, and design quality. 

Mr Speaker, 

Building height will now be negotiated and assessed based on a project's location in the City and its contributions to the surrounding area. Any proposal will still be required to meet infrastructure standards, ensure design excellence, and maintain compatibility with neighbouring properties. We have replaced arbitrary maximums with a more tailored and place-based approach. 

So no, Mr. Speaker, this is not a green light for unchecked vertical growth. It is a call for thoughtful, contextual, and community-minded development that works for Hamilton, not against it. 

Mr. Speaker, 

The Plan before us is the result of years of public engagement, consultation, and technical analysis. From the Consultative Draft in 2023 to the final Tribunal review in 2024, every step reflects a commitment to inclusion, evidence, and fairness. Stakeholders across sectors - from the Corporation of Hamilton to residents and businesses - have shaped this final product. This collaborative spirit will continue as we implement it. 

Mr. Speaker, 

Bermuda’s land is limited. Yet, within that limitation lies opportunity, particularly in Hamilton. The city already has the infrastructure, services, and transport connections. If we are to achieve compact, efficient, and sustainable growth as an island, it makes sense to maximise development in the one place already built for it. 

Mr. Speaker, 

The Government remains committed to a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive City of Hamilton. The City of Hamilton Plan 2025 is key to achieving that vision. Together, they lay the foundation for responsible investment and smart growth that benefits all of Bermuda. 

I want to conclude by thanking the Tribunal, led by Chairperson Ms. Jennifer Haworth, along with Mr. David Astwood and Ms. Vanessa Turner, and the Forward Planning team of the Department of Planning, led by Director Victoria Cordeiro, for their professionalism and commitment to bringing this pivotal Plan to fruition. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.