Interview+with+Cory+Hill

﻿Department of Environmental Protection
M﻿ inistry of Environment, Planning, and Infrastructure Strategy

**Interviewee:** Cory Hill **Interviewer:** Bionka Swann

- The technical name for my position is an Assistant Planner in Forward Planning.
 * 1. What is your position in the Ministry of Environment, Planning, and Infrastructure Strategy? **

- Our division is very important when it comes to development. All future development plans have to come through us and it is our job to take impact statements, record all madatory data, and write policies all development plans have to follow. If anyone wants a new house or even jus a renovation, they will have to come to our department and get approval. Sustainable development is another main purpose of my department. We have to make sure we are making decisions that will not only benefit us, but will benefit our grandchildren and great grandchildren.
 * 2. What is the main purpose of this Ministry? **

- The work that I do does not impact the environment directly, but it is my job to help plan how our island is used.
 * 3. Does your work impact the environment directly? If so, how? **

- With regards to the environment, any new development has to be sensitive to its surroundings. We have what is known as the Conservation Management Plan which basically outlines strict rules and regulations on how to manage flora and fauna, woodland, and natural habitats.
 * 4. What conditions does a building have to meet to be approved, with regards to the environment? **

- There aren't too many new trends, but one I have started to notice is people are beginning to re-due buildings with traditional Bermuda architechture, such as moongates, eyebrows, etc. There are many new modern buildings coming up all over the place, and it's nice to see people starting to return to their culture.
 * 5. Have you noticed any recent trends in the new developmental ideas seeking approval? **

Yes, I absolutely believe these products should be a set thing in new buildings. it has been in discussion within the Government but they have yet to finalize any plans.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">6. Do you believe Energy Saving products should become a mandatory part of any new home or building? **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">7. How much land is being used for agriculture compared to that being used for residency/industrialization? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">- Areas like this are known as Conservation Areas. If these areas are illegally violated people are usually handed hefty fines. But there are ways you can get special permission to build on some of these areas. A person can send an appeal to the Ministry and if they have proper justification the Ministry will allow it.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">8. Are there any areas strictly forbidden from developmental construction? What are consequences if agreement is violated? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">- Yes, I definitely believe Bermuda is over-populated.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">9. Do you believe Bermuda is over-populated? **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">10. How much land does Bermuda really have left to inhabit? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">- The biggest problem, I think Bermudians will face is the fact that we do not have that much vacant land. It's going to be very difficult to house our population if it continues to grow.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">11. What do you see as long term issues for Bermuda? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">- The only thing I can imagine the Government will do is amend the law that states a building has to be a certain height. Eventually people are going to start having to build up instead of out.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">12. Do you believe there is any room for improvement? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">- I don't believe my department does a good job in teaching the people, but we are trying to improve. We have recently created a website that we hope will be an eduactional source. We also have a DVD, but that is about it. I definitely believe we can be doing a better job in sharing the importance of environmental protection.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">13. Does your department do its part in educating the citizens and children of Bermuda about environmental protection and planning? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">- There are a few new big projects that are in action. They are:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">14. Are there any new big projects that are soon to be seeking approval? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">Morgan's Point (Still in question)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">Hotel in St. George's/Waterfront (Final stages of planning)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">Government Police Building (Finished product)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">Hospital Site (Excavation)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; overflow: hidden;">New Hotel, Fractional and Residential Units/South Shore (In action)