Established by Crown Grant • 1844

Land. Legacy.
Development.

The Harbour Island Commonage protects the collective land rights of Commoners while building a structured, transparent and economically sustainable institution for future generations.

1844Crown Grant
~6,000Historic acres granted
8Strategic governance theatres
2030Long-range vision
From 1844 to today

An old institution building modern capacity.

The Commonage is evolving from traditional land administration into a mapped, documented and financially sustainable institution without abandoning the legal and historic framework that created it.

1844

Crown Grant

Land granted to named inhabitants of the Parish of Saint John and their descendants.

Act

Commonage law

Rules governing fair use, layout, water access, protection and beneficial use of Commonage land.

2025

Institutional reform

Vetting, policing, records, occupancy procedures, mapping and regular operations strengthened.

2026

Development activation

Finance and Projects structures activated; Gateway, zoning and infrastructure advance toward execution.

2030

Vision

A self-sustaining Commonage economy supported by responsible development and modern governance.

What we are building

Projects that convert land stewardship into long-term community value.

01 / GATEWAY

Three Island Dock Gateway

Paid parking, controlled access, lighting, security and the foundation for a larger commercial district.

Priority project
02 / CULTURE

Cultural Village

A planned vendor district designed to create opportunities for Bahamian food, craft and commerce.

Development
03 / LAND

Zoning & Roads

Planned access roads, residential areas and commercial zones to replace unstructured land allocation.

Active planning
04 / DIGITAL

Digital Commonage

Commoner files, applications, parcel intelligence, requests and executive workflows in one operating environment.

In build
05 / WATER

Water Infrastructure

Independent and partnership options are being explored to unlock sustainable development along Commonage corridors.

Under review
06 / CAPITAL

Development Structure

Exploring the institutional framework required to activate Commonage assets while protecting communal ownership.

Strategic review
Land & Commoner services

One office. A clearer pathway.

The Commonage is standardizing how registration, land requests, site visits, occupancy and disputes move through the institution.

01Register

Establish Commoner status and lineage through the official application process.

02Vetting

Applications are pre-checked and reviewed through the authorized vetting process.

03Site Visit

Requested land is reviewed in the field with relevant Commonage records.

04Occupancy

Approved occupation is documented through the Commonage administrative process.

05Record

Files, parcel information and supporting records are preserved in the institutional system.

Current institutional matters

Development requires informed negotiation.

North Eleuthera Airport

Commonage land acquisition, valuation, compensation and project documentation remain major institutional matters requiring legal and governmental engagement.

Active matter

BPL transmission infrastructure

Infrastructure access through Commonage land is being managed through a formal wayleave process, legal review and protection of Commoner rights.

Legal / implementation

Land mapping & survey

Accurate boundaries, access roads, occupancy records and parcel mapping remain foundational to long-term planning and dispute reduction.

Institutional priority
Private Commoner access

Your Commonage.
Your record. Your land.

Use the secure Commoner Portal to access your file, requests, application functions and parcel workspace as features are activated.