Angered with the Corporation of Hamilton "floating plans" without public consultation, a former politician wants the organisation "to bite the bullet" and open its meetings to the public.

"The Corporation's methods are archaic - they still meet in private and that's no longer acceptable," said former UBP Cabinet Minister, Quinton Edness.

According to Mr. Edness public town meetings are particularly necessary when the Corporation plans alterations to public areas.

Mr. Edness' comments come after he read A Royal Gazette article last week which outlined the Corporation's plans to install a 280 foot long floating dock at Albouy's Point.

"If ever there was a case that demonstrates the Corporation meetings should be public, this is it." said Mr. Edness

Though the Corporation has only applied in principle to the Development Applications Board, Mr. Edness' frustration arises out of fear that the Corporation will irrevocably alter the busy public park without the public's permission.

"This means the Corporation of Hamilton will build a floating dock at Albouy's Point without consultation with the people of Bermuda and henceforth that area will be commercialised and made more congested to the extent it will no longer be the public park it has been for generations," Mr. Edness said.

"Many generations of Bermudians have enjoyed the beauty of that waterfront property for picnicking, boating, and just plain relaxing and it should be preserved for future generations.

"The Corporation should not be allowed to impose additional usages on that land simply by floating a plan.

"The Corporation must realise it's 2003. Though the use of public land is trusted to them in their mandate they should not change its usage without public permission. This is like waking up one morning with a hotel in Victoria Park."

Mr. Edness also mentioned his displeasure at the lack of public consultation with the city's new Front Street sewage plant.

Though his "number one priority" is public consultation, Mr. Edness said this case "also points to major revisions that must take place in our planning laws to better protect open space and the public interest".

According Mr. Edness, "a proper in-depth environmental impact study" should be carried out before the Department of Planning may grant permission to any project affecting public open space.

In the case of Albouy's Point, though, Mr. Edness' views are more extreme.

"Albouy's Point is one of our important public parks. It should be made inalienable so that no authority, Corporation, Government, or otherwise will ever again be able to threaten it's use by the people."

Mr. Edness plans to file his objections to the Department of Planning.