TCI NPSDP - 5.4 South Caicos

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5.4

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SOUTH CAICOS

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5.4.0- SOUTH CAICOS | ISLAND OVERVIEW

SOUTH CAICOS OVERVIEW

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South Caicos is known for its historic ties to the fishing and boating industries. At the beginning of the XXth century, the island was home to the most intense economic activity in the archipelago, focusing on salt production, but today it is more laid back and involves mostly small-scale fishing.

The population, less than 1,500, works mainly within the tourism or fishing industries. As the island is steeped in history, South Caicos holds the South Caicos Regatta annually and Cockburn Harbour, the main settlement, is home to numerous historic buildings. South Caicos has a large terrestrial and marine park, called Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park. The park is located along the south and east coasts and comprises of over 400 acres of land and sea.

Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos has the potential to become a hub for cultural heritage tourism. Historic preservation is an investment in community building and the future attraction of tourism dollars and community cohesion. In tandem with an upgrade to the historic buildings and settlement in Cockburn Harbour, the island is in desperate need of civic infrastructural improvements.

The upgraded education structures were a great start, but these improvements need to be tied to policies that improve the educational offerings. The island currently has an issue with young people leaving because of lack opportunities. The implementation of education programs that advance secondary education or trade schools would be extremely beneficial. This would need investment up front from the government and could get further traction through public-private partnerships with local businesses.

Such programs could generate interest in local jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities and help keep the younger population on island.

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Rehabilitate | Infill | Civic Infrastructure | Waterfront to Salina connection With annual events like the South Caicos Regatta and many historic buildings like the Boiling House, Call House, Conch Ground, and The School for Field Studies’ Center for

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5.4.0- SOUTH CAICOS | ISLAND OVERVIEW

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South Caicos is ripe with opportunity for implementing new industries into the island economy. Aquaculture and hydroponics are new markets that South Caicos could capitalize on within a shortened time frame. As South Caicos is one of three islands with a network of utilities and infrastructure, there would be less investment comparatively to other islands. South Caicos also has the opportunity to connect this new industry with or on the outer edge of the main settlement, Cockburn Harbour.

The ease of moving imports and exports from a facility to the marina, harbour, or airport will be attractive for new businesses and industries.

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An easy, quick way to bring in monetary benefits directly to the community would be to continue to capitalize on the tourism industry. This industry has high potential if focused on how South Caicos stands out from the other islands – particularly focusing on the fishing harbour, historic events, and recreational opportunities on land and sea. Investment in helping tourism-related businesses get their foot in the door should be made to local residents who could provide these services, such as a dive shop, fishing shop, and others.

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South Caicos is historically known for the fishing and boating industry; however, those industries have suffered setbacks in the past decade due to growth and investment having been focused on other islands and due to the impact and effects of natural disasters. The fishing industry infrastructure is still in place and could be rehabilitated and upgraded to a level where it is competitive and economically viable. A marina would be an ideal pairing with the upgraded harbour infrastructure to attract larger boats and create a marina village at the heart of Cockburn Harbour. A marina to attract larger private vessels in addition to an upgraded harbour infrastructure and the development of a marina village at the heart of Cockburn

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Harbour would provide significant opportunities for future development.

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Because over 60% of the land is privately owned development control on South Caicos is rather limited.

Rehabilitation and revitalization will require public private partnerships (P3) to truly have apositive community impact and enhance prosperity. Public private partnerships should focus on projects to revitalize Cockburn Harbour and large scale infrastructural projects, such as the scenic byway.

and healthy community and link varying areas of interest for both locals and tourists. The multi-use trail system, including greenways, should connect to the settlement of Cockburn Harbour; the settlement should improve its walkability with pedestrian infrastructure and implement a waterfront promenade to connect businesses and provide stunning viewings of the water.

The power grid and electrical poles need to be upgraded on an ongoing basis. The cellular service is moderate at best and requires improvement. Regarding water services.

There is no private mains water provider or water mains network in South Caicos. A TCIG RO Plant provides water in limited quantities., therefore there is need for more resilient potable water source.

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The southeast side of the island is comprised of large swathes of land that have been deemed critically important habitats. To strengthen their vitality, a scenic byway should be implemented to provide passive tourism experiences and recreational activities for both local residents and tourists. The scenic byway would be the only development and/or infrastructure allowed other than pedestrian or nonmotorized transportation multi-use trails.

Utilities on South Caicos also need reinvestment and expansion. The ‘new’ airport structure has been deemed inadequate due to damage from a previous hurricane.

The airport is in need of improvement to adequately serve the current residents and tourist population, as well as accommodate the expected future increase in air travel.

South Caicos is comprised of a land and sea national park, a nature reserve and an area of historic interest. These areas should be continually protected from irresponsible, not locally-driven development. With South Caicos having a ‘wildness’ to the island, in that it has really focuses development at key nodes, it is important to maintain protection of the untouched, natural features, which are critical to local flora and fauna.

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The northern-most point on the peninsula – Platico Point – should become a recreation node for both locals and tourists. Platico Point offers stunning views, clear water, and opportunities to develop bonefishing camps, which, again, would be beneficial economically to both locals and tourists. Small-scale fishing, bonefishing included, offer an opportunity as tourist attraction if the correct infrastructure is added – supporting structures/buildings, fishing shops within Cockburn Harbour, and knowledgeable guides.

Bonefishing camps can be implemented along the eastern coast to take advantage of the fishing zone within Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park.

South Caicos has the most potential with a large amount of reinvestment and rehabilitation from years of hurricane damage, yet this investment is vital if an increase in tourism is desired or expected and if new opportunities are brought to the island.

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Historical Rehabilitation Fishing Industry - Marina Education opportunities Public Private Partnerships Orange for South and East Caicos showing off the colors of the spiny lobster and fish as well as the fishing industry in South Caicos

Infrastructural upgrades should include sidewalks, street trees, and street lighting. The local population and tourists will both benefit from an established system of multi-use trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. Connected recreational areas, both formal and informal, will perpetuate an active TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 233

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5 . 4 .1 - S O U T H C A I C O S | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K N AT U R A L S Y S T E M S

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PROTEC TED A R E A & N AT U R A L S Y S T E M S

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ELE VATION

C R I T I C A L H A B I TAT

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V E G E TAT I O N

C O A S TA L R I S K

N AT U R A L C O M P O S I T E

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A R E A S O F CU LTU R A L & H ISTORIC A L SIG N I FIC A NCE

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T R A N S P O R TAT I O N NETWORK

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B U I LT S Y S T E M S

SETTLEMENT & D E V E LO PM E N T N O D ES

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OWNERSHIP

B U I LT

COMPOSITE

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5 . 4 .1 - S O U T H C A I C O S | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K

LEG EN D Beach Entry

Key Nodes

Snorkeling

Existing Development

Historic Sites

Proposed Ferry Dock/Port

View Points

Proposed Marina

Airport

Proposed Resort/Hotels

Ferry Dock/Port

Points of Interest

Marina

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Settlements

Residential Development Area of Concern

National Park/Nature Reserve

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Proposed Agricultural Land Land to be Preserved Critical Areas Reefs

Historical Interest Beach/Waterfront Access Primary Circulation (Existing)

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Primary Circulation (Proposed) Secondary Circulation Potential Water Connections Potential Land Connections Greenway Trail/Promenade Salina Boundary

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M A R I N A DE V ELOPM ENT P OTENTI A L Exceptional Opportunity Good Opportunity Moderate Potential

PLAN P OTENTI A L ISL A N D LI N K C AUSE WAY

SOUTH CAICOS FRAMEWORK PLAN

SA I L ROCK

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A DM I R A L COCKB U R N LAND AND SEA N ATIO N A L PA R K

FISH I NG A RE A

LONG BEACH

SAILROCK PENINSULA

PRI M A RY ROA D

B ELL SOU N D N ATIO N A L PA R K

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FUTU RE I N FI LL DE V ELOPM ENT

CRITIC A L H A B ITAT BON E FISH I NG CAMP

FUTU RE RESORT H IG H EN D

A DM I R A L COCKBU RN LAND AND S E A N ATIO N A L PA RK

BELL SOUND

GOAT HILL

FUTU RE I N FI LL DE V ELOPM ENT

AIRPORT

THE VALLEY

VICTORIA SALINA

WEST SOUND

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CRITIC A L H A B ITAT

TH E PON D & TH E SA LI N A

CRITIC A L H A B ITAT CON N EC TION CO N N EC T ECO LOG I C A L FU N C TI O N S

THE HIGHLANDS

THE POND

SCEN IC BY WAY

- PRO P OS ED TOU R IS M DE V ELO PM ENT -A DA PTI V E R EUS E

HIGHLANDS BAY

N ATU R E R ES ERV E BOILING HOLE

EXISTING PORT & FERRY TERMINAL

FIS H I N G ZO N E

EAST BAY

COCKBURN HARBOUR

- H I S TO R I C R E V ITA LIZ ATI O N / PR ES ERVATI O N - M I X ED US E DE V ELO PM ENT - FIS H I N G I N DUSTRY A N D FISH I N G V I LL AG E

FISH PROCESSING PLANTS GIRL’S BAY

N O FIS H I N G

A DM I R A L COCKB U R N LAND AND SEA N ATIO N A L PA R K

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E X ISTI NG RESO RTS M I D R A NG E

SHARK BAY

FUTU RE RESORT M I D R A NG E

SOUTH-WEST SOUTH-EAST

H ISTORIC URBA N CORE COCKBU RN H A R BOU R + CONCH G ROUN D

A DM I R A L COCKB U R N LAND AND SEA N ATIO N A L PA R K

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5 . 4 .1 - S O U T H C A I C O S | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K

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NORTH PLANDON CAY CUT

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P OTENTI A L ISL A N D LI N K C AUSE WAY

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SA I L ROCK

LONG BEACH

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SAILROCK PENINSULA

B ELL SOU N D N ATIO N A L PA R K

A DM I R A L COCKB U R N LAND AND SEA N ATIO N A L PA R K

FISH I NG A RE A

PRI M A RY ROA D

FUTU RE RESORT H IG H EN D

FUTU RE R E I N FI LL DE V ELOPM ENT

A DM I R A L

ENLARGEMENT

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5 . 4 .1 - S O U T H C A I C O S | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K SOUTH-WEST

CRITIC A L H A B ITAT BON E FISH I NG CAMP

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FUTU RE I N FI LL DE V ELOPM ENT

BELL SOUND

GOAT HILL

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AIRPORT

VICTORIA SALINA

WEST SOUND

CRITIC A L H A B ITAT

TH E PON D & TH E SA LI N A

THE HIGHLANDS

THE POND

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- PRO P OS ED TOU R IS M DE V ELO PM ENT -A DA PTI V E R EUS E

N ATU R E R ES ERV E

BOILING HOLE

EXISTING PORT & FERRY TERMINAL

H ISTORIC URBA N CORE COCKBU RN H A R BOU R + CONCH G ROUN D

- H I S TO R I C R E V ITA LIZ ATI O N / PR ES ERVATI O N - M I X ED US E DE V ELO PM ENT - FIS H I N G I N DUSTRY A N D FISH I N G V I LL AG E

EAST BAY

COCKBURN HARBOUR FISH PROCESSING PLANTS GIRL’S BAY

E X ISTI NG RESORTS MID RANGE

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FUTU RE R M I D R A NG NG

SOUTH-EAST

H IG H EN D

FUTU RE I N FI LL DE V ELOPM ENT

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A DM I R A L COCKBU RN LAND AND S E A N ATIO N A L PA RK

BELL SOUND

AT HILL

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FUTU RE I N FI LL DE V ELOPM ENT

VICTORIA SALINA

THE HIGHLANDS

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THE POND

THE VALLEY

CRITIC A L H A B ITAT CON N EC TION CO N N EC T ECO LOG I C A L FU N C TI O N S

SCEN IC BY WAY HIGHLANDS BAY

BOILING HOLE

FIS H I N G ZO N E

EAST BAY

GIRL’S BAY GIR

O FISH FIS H I N G NG

E X ISTI NG RESO RESORTS RTS M I D R A NG E

SHARK BAY

FUTU RE RESORT MID RANGE ENLARGEMENT

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5.4.2- SOUTH CAICOS | LAND USE

LEG EN D Park Open Space Park Local Park Reserve

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Park National

Agriculture Farming & Food Production Commercial Tourism / Hospitality Commercial Local Mixed Use

Infrastructure / Civic

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Industrial Airport

Infrastructure Utilities Future Community Development (Residential / Open Space) Residential High Density Residential Medium Density Residential Low Density A Residential Low Density B Residential Low Density C

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PLAN

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SOUTH CAICOS PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN

* Refer to enlargements on the following pages

SOUTH-WEST SOUTH-EAST

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NORTH

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5.4.2- SOUTH CAICOS | LAND USE

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NORTH

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5.4.2- SOUTH CAICOS | LAND USE

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SOUTH-WEST

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SOUTH-EAST

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5.4.3- SOUTH CAICOS | AREA ACTION PLAN

COCKBURN HARBOUR REHABILITATE | INFILL | CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE | WATERFRONT TO SALINA CONNECTION

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Cockburn Harbour lies on the western edge of South Caicos. It is the main settlement of South Caicos, and is made up of a mixed-use core with all components of infrastructure: commercial, governmental, historic/cultural, but also residentail uses.

OPPORTUNITIES • Housing: additional long-term housing • Development: capitalize on historical and cultural tourism; ‘urban’ hospitality option; multi-family, medium density housing; sports and recreation additions; greenway through settlement which connects to the reminder of island; farm-to-table from local fishing harbour • Preservation: preserve critical habitat north of settlement; preserve waterfront from erosion and over-use; connection between ocean and salina; preserve fishing harbour • Infrastructure: upgrade missing utilities; add ferry stop within settlement core

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Park Open Space

Commercial Local

Park Reserve

Mixed Use

Park Local

Infrastructure / Civic

Agriculture Farming & Food Production

Industrial

Commercial Tourism / Hospitality

Airport

Commercial Tourism / Hospitality

Airport

Residential Low Density C

Commercial Local

Infrastructure Utilities

Mixed Use

Residential Medium Density

CO N C E P T: R E H A B I L I TAT E | I N F I L L | C I V I C I N F R ACommercial S T R U C TLocal U R E | WAT E R F R O N T TO S A L I N A Infrastructure Utilities Park Open Space • B u i l d u p o n t h e s u cce s s f u l m a r i n a co re + eve n t s • I n f r aPark s t rReserve u c t u re: u p g r a d e m i s s i n g u t i l i t i e s; a d dMixed fe r rUse y s to p w i t h i n s et t l e m e n t co reResidential Medium Density • E x p Park a n dLocal t h e p u b l i c re a l m to co n n e c t t h e tow nInfrastructure f ro m t h e/ Civic s a l i n a to t h e w a te r a n dResidential to e d uLow c a tDensity i o n a lA land uses Industrial Residential Low Density B Agriculture Farming & Food Production • I n c re a s e a n d rev i t a l ize t h e co re to c re a te u n i f i c a t i o n w i t h t h e w a te r f ro n t P R E S E R V E C R I T I C A L H A B I TAT

C R E AT E Airport

HIGHER DENSIT Y A LO N G T H E H I G H WAY Infrastructure Utilities CO N N E C T I N G T H E TOW N TO Residential Medium Density THE AIRPORT Residential Low Density A Residential Low Density B Residential Low Density C

Residential Low Density A Residential Low Density B Residential Low Density C

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HIGH SCHOOL / HIGHER Infrastructure / Civic E D U C AT I O N E X PA N S I O N OPPORTUNIT Y Industrial

AACP LEGEND

C R E AT E S A F E P E D E S T R I A N ACC E S S F R O M S C H O O L S TO WAT E R F R O N T

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AACP LEGEND

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AACP LEGEND

P R O P OS E D M A R I N A WAT E R F R O N T, A D D F E R RY T E R M I N A L , E X PA N D M A R I N A O F F E R I N G S , U P DAT E F I S H I N G H A R B O U R TO P R O M OT E F I S H I N G E CO N O M Y

SCHOOL

P OT E N T I A L AQ UAC U LT U R E OPPORTUNIT Y WITH SALINAS

C A P I TA L IZ E O N U R B A N CO R E , R E V I TA L IZ E + E N H A N C E TO E X PA N D O N F I S H I N G V I L L AG E V I B E M U N I C I PA L CO R E O P P O RT U N I T Y E D U C AT I O N O P P O RT U N I T Y

C A P I TA L IZ E O N U R B A N CO R E , R E V I TA L IZ E + E N H A N C E TO E X PA N D O N M A R I N A V I L L AG E V I B E SCHOOL OF FIELD STUDIES

C R E AT E S T R O N G , P U B L I C R E A L M WAT E R F R O N T CO N N E C T I O N

SC SOUTH CAICOS | COCKBURN HARBOUR

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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN