FAQ's

Q: Is it true that Salt Cay Devco has control of 80% of the land on Salt Cay?
A: Yes. Salt Cay Devco does own or lease 80% of the land on Salt Cay but 95% of that land will remain un-built with large areas designated as protected.

Q: Why does Salt Cay Devco need to have control over so much land?
A: The reason why Salt Cay Devco needs to control so much land is to ensure that the vision of an ultra low density, environmentally friendly development is not destroyed in the future by having adjacent developments of the type common throughout the Caribbean – high rise and high density. The additional land will allow for open spaces to be maintained and the environmental and historical integrity of the island to be enhanced.

Q: Is it true that Salt Cay Devco is limiting building height to two storeys throughout the development?
A: Yes. Most of the hotel and residential villas will be only one storey. Only those villas that are set further inland will be built up to two storeys in order to gain an ocean view.

Q: Will the proposed location for the marina cut into Victoria Street?
A: Although the marina will cut into Victoria Street, alternative routes will be worked into the design so pedestrians will be able to access the other side of Victoria Street with ease. The marina will become the central heart of the island and plans to build a bridge or provide a ferry-type service for pedestrians to cross the marina and continue along Victoria Street are being looked at.

Q: By cutting into the land to build the marina, does this create a higher risk of flooding?
A: A Hurricane Hazard and Flood study has already been conducted for the entire development. Before any construction on the marina begins, plans will be fully evaluated and engineered to prevent any risk of flooding.

Q: Who will be responsible for operating the airport and barge dock?
A: Included in this development are plans to extend the existing airport runway to accommodate aircraft typically used for interisland travel and the construction of a commercial barge dock. The Turks and Caicos Airport Authority will continue to operate the airport and the TCI Government will own and operate the barge dock. These are public facilities and will continue to remain so after the improvements have been made.

Q: Will building the barge dock have any impact on the coral reef and marine life?
A: Any potential effects that the construction of the barge dock will have on the marine environment will be mitigated. The design of the marina is located upland, reducing the need for excessive dredging and the dredging that will take place will not extend to the reef wall. The dock will be built where a dock, destroyed by the hurricanes, once stood so there is less existing coral growth that will be affected. Silt nets will be used to capture debris during dredging to minimize the impact on the marine environment even further.

Q: Will increased shipping to the island have a negative impact on migrating whales?
A: Shipping already exists in the Turks Passage. During the peak of construction, shipping will increase to only one barge a day maximum so there will be no disruption to the whales’ natural migratory path.

Q: Golf courses tend to have a high impact on the environment. Will the golf course on Salt Cay be any different?
A: Working with Audubon International, a company that provides planning assistance to protect the environment and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf operation, will ensure that the golf course on Salt Cay will have a minimal environmental impact and comply with the highest international sustainability standards. The design uses the natural topography to create a links-style course and minimize the need for land clearing. Drought resistant grass will reduce the need for irrigation and by minimizing the use of chemicals and using organic pesticides when possible, ground water will be kept clean and safe.

Q: What will happen to the historical buildings on the island?
A: Salt Cay Devco is working closely with the TCI Government, DECR, TCI National Trust, TCI National Museum and other organizations in an attempt to develop a plan to restore and protect some of the key historical buildings and features on the island like the White House, Government House, churches and salt raker cottages just to name a few.

Q: What is going to happen to the salt pans and the Town Salina?
A: We hope to clean the salt pans improving the water quality and encouraging migrating birds to visit more frequently. It is proposed to allocate a portion of the southern end of Town Salina to be restored and used for production of salt in the traditional way.

Q: Once the development is complete, will local residents still have access to the beaches, particularly North Beach?
A: All beaches in the TCI are considered public up to the high water mark, and the beaches on Salt Cay are no exception. There will be three public access points to North Beach where everyone is welcome to use the beach as well as the new beach parks that will be created.

Q: Will local residents have access to the amenities that this development brings to the island?
A: Local residents will have access to virtually all of the amenities that this development will bring to Salt Cay. Access to the central facilities like the beach parks, sports centre and the golf course as well as the marina complex, restaurants and bars are available for local residents, hotel guests and tourists to enjoy. The goal of this development is to integrate these central facilities into the existing community.

Q: There is a fear that this development will discourage wildlife, mainly migratory birds, from coming to the island. Is this true?
A: Not only will this development rejuvenate current wildlife and bird populations but will encourage new species of migratory birds to flock to this island. By restoring and reintroducing native vegetation, cleaning up the salinas and protecting key ecosystems, Salt Cay will become a bird watchers paradise.

Q: What will happen to all of the cows and donkeys currently populating the island?
A: It is proposed that the cows and donkeys that currently inhabit the island will be evaluated thoroughly by a veterinarian. The privately owned cows and free roaming donkeys will be given proper food and shelter in paddocks until a mutual agreement can be reached with local residents about how to look after these animals. If something is not done to organize these free roaming cows and donkeys they will continue to decimate the plant life on the island. Controlling these animals will allow native vegetation to regenerate.