Independent Survey: Nearly 80% Say Proposed Development Would Alter the Character of Governor's Harbour
GOVERNOR'S HARBOUR, ELEUTHERA, April 15, 2026 — An independent community survey conducted across central Eleuthera found that residents hold strong and substantive views about the future of their island, centred on environmental protection, public beach access, cultural identity, and a development model that genuinely serves Bahamian communities. The survey was conducted in the context of the proposed Jacobs Resort Development, a large-scale project in the Governor's Harbour area that has been described as including resort, marina, casino, golf course, and vacation residence components across an ocean-to-ocean footprint.
The survey was conducted by the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG), a nonpartisan Bahamian nonprofit, between February and March 2026. ORG gathered responses from 401 residents across 13 settlements through direct, in-person engagement designed to reach residents across income levels, occupations, and age groups.
The findings show how closely residents connect Eleuthera's natural environment to the island's economy and way of life. 92.3% of respondents said a healthy environment is very or extremely important to Eleuthera's economy and their personal livelihoods, and 88% said the island's marine and coastal ecosystems are important or very important to them personally.
Environmental concern also emerged strongly in the survey. Nearly 74% expressed concern about the impacts of large-scale tourism development, specifically citing dredging, marina construction, golf course operations, and waste management. At the same time, 69.6% said they have little to no confidence that environmental safeguards on developments would be adequately enforced.
Concerns about access and public land also featured prominently. Among respondents who formed a view on the likely impact of large-scale development on long-term public coastal access, those expecting reduced access outnumbered those expecting improved access by more than three to one. French Leave Beach was cited repeatedly by name, and 32% expressed extreme concern about development-related changes to public land and coastal use. Only 15% of respondents said they support public land being used for large resort or casino developments.
The survey also found that more respondents believe a casino undermines sustainable tourism in Eleuthera than support it, with less than a third expressing any support. Qualitative responses reflected deeper reservations, with residents raising concerns about the casino's compatibility with the island's character, tourism identity, and community values.
The findings also suggest that residents are not rejecting development in principle. Rather, they are expressing a clear preference for development that is sustainable, culturally appropriate, and structured to deliver lasting benefits to the people who live here. Nearly half of respondents preferred a mixed development model over large resort-scale development alone, with strong support for boutique-scale growth that the island's environment and infrastructure can sustain. 86% said meaningful Bahamian ownership, leadership, and contracting opportunities are very or extremely important.
The survey also found that the majority of residents had limited awareness of the proposed development at the time of the research, underscoring the importance of early and meaningful community consultation before major development decisions are made. 74.6% said opportunities to learn about and provide input on developments in Eleuthera have been "not at all sufficient."
Our Governor's Harbour, a Bahamian-led community advocacy campaign based in Governor's Harbour, said the findings reflect a community with a clear vision for its future.
"This survey shows, in clear and documented terms, that people care deeply about Eleuthera's environment, beaches, public access, and community character," the campaign said in a statement. "Residents want development that protects what makes this place special while building a stronger, healthier community for Bahamians. They want a real voice in decisions that will shape the future of their island."
More information is available at www.ourgovernorsharbour.org. Residents, homeowners, and friends of Eleuthera are encouraged to visit the website to sign up for campaign updates and learn about additional ways to stay involved.
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Media Contact: info@ourgovernorsharbour.org
About Our Governor's Harbour
Our Governor's Harbour is a Bahamian-led community campaign advocating for a meaningful voice in decisions that shape the future of Governor's Harbour and Central Eleuthera. The campaign supports development that fits the scale, character, and environmental realities of a Family Island and that delivers genuine, lasting benefit to the people who live there.