Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for being here today.

Every day in Bermuda, whether we are driving to work, walking along a public beach, visiting a historic site, or relying on safe waste management and reliable infrastructure, we depend on the systems overseen by the Ministry of Public Works and Environment.

Those systems are not abstract. They are roads, bridges, parks, public lands, Government properties, agricultural facilities, waste treatment plants and renewable energy installations. They are the physical foundation of our country.

Last year, in my first Budget as Minister, I talked about laying the groundwork for the future. We focused on stabilising systems, addressing long-standing issues, and beginning to move critical projects forward.

This year, we are building on that foundation.

The theme of this Budget is “Responsible Choices… Lasting Benefits for Bermudians.” For this Ministry, that theme is not a slogan. It is a practical test. Every dollar allocated must strengthen infrastructure, improve resilience, and deliver visible results and durable value to the people of Bermuda.

Responsible choices in public works mean investing where it matters most. And lasting benefits mean projects that will serve this country not just next year, but for decades to come.

This year, not only are we laying the groundwork, but we are doing the work to break ground.

This Budget provides nine million dollars ($9 million) to begin construction of the new Swing Bridge.

For years, Bermudians have spoken about the importance of replacing this critical piece of national infrastructure. This allocation moves us decisively from preparation into construction.

It marks the start of a multi-year replacement process for one of the most vital links in the East End.

The responsible choice was to plan carefully, secure funding, and move forward in a structured way. The lasting benefit will be a modern, reliable bridge serving residents, businesses and emergency services for generations.

The new bridge will be engineered to withstand wind loads of up to 150 miles per hour in line with modern building codes. While it will safely operate and lift open for marine traffic in winds of up to 35 miles per hour, the public can be assured that this will remain a fully functioning swing bridge, with operators retaining discretion to pause openings only in extreme weather or poor sea conditions to protect public safety.

Let me also address the issue of private roads, because this is something residents have consistently raised. While much of our recent focus has been on improving Government-owned public roads, the reality is that many Bermudians live on or must travel daily along privately owned roads that have fallen into disrepair.

In many cases, responsibility for maintenance rests with multiple owners, and where that responsibility has not been exercised, residents are left navigating unsafe or deteriorating conditions. That is why we have pledged one million dollars ($1 million) to improve private roads, an initiative promised in the 2025 Throne Speech.

This is not about relieving owners of responsibility, but about ensuring that ordinary residents are not unfairly impacted by prolonged inaction.

With the necessary legislative framework in place, this funding will allow the Government to step in where needed, improve safety and accessibility, and bring greater fairness and consistency to how road conditions are addressed across our island.

Additionally, we are investing five-hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in expanded verge maintenance, increasing both manpower and specialised equipment to tackle overgrown hedges and roadside vegetation across the island.

This means more crews on the ground, more frequent cutting, clearer sightlines for motorists and pedestrians, and safer journeys for everyone. But it is also about pride. Well-maintained roadsides reflect a well-managed island, and this investment ensures Bermuda looks as safe and cared for as it truly is.

Good infrastructure is not only functional. It reflects who we are. Responsible stewardship also means ensuring that public assets are not left idle.

This Budget allocates four-point five million dollars ($4.5 million) to revitalise underutilised Government properties, including Montpelier, the Admiralty House Ballroom, and St. David’s Lighthouse.

These sites represent history, culture and opportunity. The responsible choice is to invest in them thoughtfully. The lasting benefit is community engagement, tourism enhancement, and the productive reuse of valuable public property.

We are also directing one-point seven million dollars ($1.7 million) toward the restoration of our treasured national parks and public lands, from the lush pathways of the Botanical Gardens to the historic vistas at Admiralty House and our family-friendly public beaches.

This funding will support upgraded landscaping, improved walking trails and signage, safer and more accessible picnic and leisure areas, and refreshed amenities that encourage residents and visitors alike to spend more time outdoors.

Whether it’s more benches under shaded trees, well-maintained lawns for children to play on, or enhanced coastal viewpoints that honour Bermuda’s natural beauty, this investment is about elevating the everyday experiences of everyone who enjoys our open spaces. Our parks and shores are not just land. They are the heart of our island’s identity and quality of life.

Responsible choices are also about strengthening our self-reliance.

This Budget includes two-point five million dollars ($2.5 million) to break ground on a new Agricultural Centre, which many of our local farmers have been asking for.

This investment supports the modernisation of local food production and enhances Bermuda’s food security. Global events in recent years have reminded us that resilience matters. I want to be clear: Supporting domestic agriculture is not optional; it is strategic.

The lasting benefit will be greater innovation, stronger local production, and improved long-term stability in our food systems.

Responsible governance also means maintaining the systems that protect public health and the environment.

This Budget continues major investment in the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility, allocating over nine million dollars ($9 million) to maintain and ensure long-term reliability.

For a small island like Bermuda, where nearly everything we consume is imported and eventually becomes waste, the reliability of Tynes Bay is mission-critical.

We generate significant volumes of waste relative to our size, and Modernising and strengthening Tynes Bay is important to ensure it can keep pace with current and future demand, operate efficiently, and protect both public health and our environment.

At the same time, one-point four million ($1.4 million) is allocated to expand the rooftop solar programme across multiple public buildings.

Reducing energy costs and supporting Bermuda’s transition to renewable energy is both fiscally responsible and environmentally sound. It lowers long-term operating costs and strengthens sustainability.

As we reflect on the choices set out in this Budget, it is clear that responsible decisions do more than strengthen infrastructure. They also protect and enhance our natural environment. That balanced approach will define our legacy.

As Minister of Public Works and Environment, my mission is to ensure that the foundations of this country are strong, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.

That means investing in our roads and bridges, but it also means protecting the ecosystems that make Bermuda unique, including our national parks, beaches, marine habitats, and biodiversity. It means supporting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in conserving our natural resources, managing pollution, safeguarding fisheries, and expanding public access to the open spaces that define our island.