Wheatley: Settle Anegada Land Claims Quickly
At a constitutional reform meeting in Anegada on June 7, 2026, residents urged urgent resolution of long‑standing land claims, saying families are dying while waiting. Premier Wheatley said he will review the claims, pointed to the Crown Lands Management Act and urged claims be brought to the Crown Lands Management Board for speedy resolution.
Residents of Anegada pressed the Government on long‑standing land claims during a constitutional reform meeting at the Emile Dunlop Community Centre on Sunday, June 7, 2026, with some urging immediate action because families have been waiting generations for answers. One attendee told the meeting that families are dying while waiting for resolutions to ancestral land disputes.
The plea prompted Premier Wheatley to commit to reviewing the matter promptly, while outlining the legal framework he believes governs these disputes. "As it pertains to the claims, I may have to look at that a little bit more closely to understand about the claims a little better.
I believe the Crown Lands Management Act does speak to ancestral lands," the Premier said, stressing the role of the Crown Lands Management Board in adjudicating and resolving such claims. The Premier urged claimants to present applications to the Crown Lands Management Board so the Board can consider and resolve them. "Those persons who've made applications for either residential or commercial lands to have those settled as quickly as possible," he said.
He also warned that historic claims, including those referenced as far back as 1885, can complicate transfers and that he would not want those complexities to delay transfers of Crown land. "I wouldn't want us to delay that in examining these claims from, as you said, from 1885, because, let's say, for instance, it gets very complicated.
I wouldn't want you to delay getting that Crown land transferred as quickly as possible, but once those claims are presented, I'm sure the Deputy Premier would engage with the board," Wheatley added, signalling that the Deputy Premier would take part in follow‑up engagement once claims are formally lodged.
The Premier also said he is willing to take part in discussions to better understand the nature of the claims and the approach required to resolve them. His remarks come amid longstanding concern in Anegada that unresolved ancestral and Crown land issues hinder access to housing, commercial opportunity and community development.
For Anegada residents, many of whom rely on limited land for homes, small businesses and traditional uses, clarity and timely resolution of land claims are critical. The Premier’s comments point to a path forward that hinges on formal submissions to the Crown Lands Management Board and further government engagement to expedite outcomes.
Community leaders and claimants will likely watch closely for next steps from the Crown Lands Management Board and for any timeline the Government sets for reviewing historic applications.
Primary source: VINO