People can’t do much with their land

Opposition legislator and Deputy Speaker Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather.

Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather recently expressed deep concern in the House of Assembly (HOA) regarding the ineffective use of land in the territory.

“It’s a segment of our country that has land. People in our country that have land and they can’t do much with it,” Mather stated, highlighting the frustration and helplessness of many locals who own land but face significant hurdles restricting its use.

Mather questioned the effectiveness of existing policies, emphasising the psychological importance of permanence and ownership. He criticised the high costs associated with land development, stating: “Rent is through the roof, whether it’s residential or commercial. To build a building in this country or a home in this country is astronomical.”

The first-term lawmaker argued that the issue was further compounded by family-owned lands entangled in legal and administrative complexities.

During his address, Mather also pointed out the inefficiencies in the legislative process, suggesting that the policies often need more clarity and precision. He drew attention to the lack of concrete plans for land held by Social Security, which could be utilised to alleviate some of the housing crises.

“Social Security has land. Our people want land. How are we going to give it to them? How are we going to figure it out?” he asked.

Mather emphasised the historical challenges related to land ownership, referencing the frustrations with the Anegada Lands Advisory Development Committee and unfulfilled promises. “The people of Anegada have been waiting for over a hundred years,” he argued.

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