Le ghal sfregju f’Hondoq ir-Rummien

Pubblikata fuq L-Orizzont nhar 26 ta' Ottubru, 2006 minn Justyne Caruana.

XI granet ilu ghamilna zjara bhala delegazzjoni tal-Partit Laburista fir-rahal tal-Qala fejn iltqajna ma diversi nies u anke morna fil-bajja sabiha ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien. Morna proprju biex nuru s-solidarjetà taghna mal-poplu tal-Qala ghall-isfregju propost li jsir f’Hondoq ir-Rummien. Ghal min ma jafx din il-bajja popolari u sabiha – l-unika f’ Ghawdex fl-istat naturali taghha – spiccat fil-mira ta’ l-ispekulaturi. Ahna bhala Partit digà ddikjarajna li ahna kontra dan l-izvilupp u li nirrispettaw id-decizjoni tal-poplu tal-Qala fejn 85% vvotaw permezz ta‘ referendum, li ma riedux zvilupp f’Hondoq ir-Rummien.

Ta’ min ifakkar li dan il-progett ghandu l-appogg shih tal-Prim Ministru Gonzi u tal-Ministru ghal Ghawdex & Co. Meta l-Prim Ministru fuq il-Fosos, heggeg lin-Nazzjonalisti biex jarmaw id-dentatura, fost affarijiet ohrajn ddikjara li hu favur dan il-progett u li se jappoggjah. Meta ghandek dikjarazzjoni bhal dik, l-anqas il-MEPA m’ghandhom x’jambu dawn. Però li niskanta hu li n-Nazzjonalisti dejjem ipprezentaw ruhhom bhala l-paladini tad-demokrazzija – dan dejjem fejn qablilhom u jaqblilhom. Allura rizultat f’referendum ta’ 85% l-Gvern jinjorah? Allura r-referendum tal-Qala u r-rizultat tieghu mhux ezercizzju demokratiku li jishoqqlu jigi rispettat? X’ipokrezija hux!

Però lill-poplu tal-Qala nghidlu jiftah ghajnejh u jaghraf jiddistingwi bejn Partit Laburista li rrispetta r-rieda tan-nies tal-Qala u dan il-Partit li twikkejna bih fil-Gvern, li meta u fejn irid jinheba wara l-MEPA u meta u fejn irid jigi jaqa’ u jqum mill-MEPA u jaghti l-palati lill-ispekulaturi.

Hondoq irid li jibqa’ jezisti

Pubblikata fuq L-Orizzont nhar 23 ta' Ottubru, 2006 minn Rummiena - Qala

Sur Editur,

Ippermettili ftit spazju, fil-gurnal popolari tieghek biex nuri l-fehma tieghi u ta’ hafna ohrajn li ma naqblu assolutament xejn ma’ l-hekk imsejjah progett – li m’hu progett xejn imma spekulazzjoni ta’ l-art – f’Hondoq ir-Rummien. Bi progett nifhem li Malta u l-Maltin se jgawdu l-frott tieghu. Però, bi spekulazzjoni ta’ l-art se jgawdu biss l-ispekulaturi u l-poplu Malti jgawdi l-gerha li ma tfieq qatt li tkun saret fuq l-ambjent.

Jien ma nistax nifhem, kif ghalina l-Maltin il-MEPA ma tohrogx permessi biex uliedna jkollhom dar fejn joqoghdu ghax tghid li hawn bini bizzejjed u trid thares il-ftit kampanja li fadal, imbaghad biex isir massakru ta’ dik il-kwalità tikkunsidra li tohrog il-permessi.

Nistaqsi lill-MEPA, lil min ghandu r-raba jmiss ma’ l-istess raba ta’ l-izviluppaturi se tohrogilhom il-permessi mehtiega biex uliedhom ikunu jistghu jibnu darhom fuqha jew dawn m’ghandhomx dritt li jgawdu l-arja pura u l-veduti tal-madwar?

Ftit granet ilu, il-Ministru ta’ l-Ambjent stieden lill-familji fuq il-mizbla tal-Maghtab u tghidx kemm ftahru li se jirriabilitawha biex titgawda mill-familji Maltin, Erhilu li kull min imur hemm ikun espost ghall-gassijiet velenuzi li jitilghu minn taht l-art. Mela kemm jiftahru izjed li kieku f’Hondoq ir-Rummien isir park nazzjonali u kull min imur fih igawdi arja friska u minghajr tniggis u b’veduti mill-aqwa.

Possibbli ghandna Gvern li lest li jeqred darba ghal dejjem dak li hu naturali u mbaghad jonfoq miljuni ta’ liri biex johloq posti-jiet rikreattivi artificjali? Il-Gvern huwa elett mill-poplu u ghalhekk huwa obbligat li jirrispetta r-rieda tal-poplu.

Possibbli ghandna Gvern daqshekk arroganti li jinjora r-rieda ta’ poplu li qal le b’maggoranza ta’ 85%? Mur zommu kieku l-Gvern fl-Elezzjoni Generali jgib 85% ta’ l-elettorat, x’bokka jkollu!

Issa kelmtejn lis-Sindku tal-Qala…

Sur Sindku, tista’ tghidli lejn min int responsabbli hux lejn il-poplu tal-Qala jew lejn il-Gvern prezenti? Erba’ snin ilu kont tghid li ghandna nghidu le ghal kollox, lukandi, vilel, appartamenti u jott marina ghax jekk l-izviluppaturi jibdew b’xi haga dawn jibqghu sejrin u ma jkun jista’ jwaqqafhom hadd, la l-Kunsill u lanqas il-Gvern.

Tista’ tispjegalna lilna l-Qalin, x’gieghlek tibdel hsibijietek f’dawn l-ahhar erba’ snin?

Tista’ tghidilna min tak l-awtorità li fis-sottomissjonijiet tiddeciedi li l-progett isir, izda icken. Il-maggoranza tal-Qalin qalu le ghall-izvilupp kollu. Mela qieghed titmexxa bl-ispag bhall-pupazzi?

Sur Sindku ghall-inqas hallielna Hondoq ir-Rummien kif inhu biex il-familji taghna jgawduh bhalma qeghdin jaghmlu bhalissa. Taf int, ghax gieli kont mal-familja tieghek, bicca hobz biz-zejt, tadama, basla u bicca gobon tinzillek ghasel u m’hemmx ghaliex tonfoq il-liri biex tiekol.

Sur Sindku, ghidilna ftit x’inti taghmel dwar il-qtugh ta’ blat bl-addocc u ta’ rimi ta’ terrapien ezatt ma’ xifer il-bahar f’ras il-Qala? Taf li ma’ l-ewwel Grigalata dak it-terrapien jispicca fil-bahar? Barriera minnhom ukoll ghandha kundizzjoni fil-permess li t-trakkijiet taghha ma jistghux jghaddu mic-centru tar-rahal, izda xorta jghaddu.

Sur Sindku, m’intix tissorvelja dak li qed isir f’ras il-Qala, ahseb u ara kemm se zzomm l-izviluppaturi ta’ Hondoq milli jaghmlu li jridu! L-ahhar kelma tkun lejn il-poplu Malti u Ghawdxi biex iqum isemma lehnu kontra l-qerda ta’ l-ambjent taghna. Il-Qalin mhux se jkunu aljenati bi ftit muzika fil-pjazza tar-rahal, imma se jkomplu jiggieldu kontra l-mostru ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien.

Hondoq ir-Rummien: Is development at Hondoq a sustainable and beneficial proposal?

Published on MaltaToday on 22nd October, 2006.

AGAINST

…The proposals for Hondoq ir-Rummien are part of an ongoing subtle ‘privatisation’ of the coast – one must consider these proposals within the context of the Portomaso and Hola Beach developments, the caravans at Gnejna and Bahar ic-Caghaq, the proposed yacht marinas at Xemxija and Marsascala, the boathouses peppering L-Ahrax, Gnejna and Dahlet Qorrot, proposals for the ‘private’ beach at Mgarr ix-Xini, the gung-ho bullies organising parties at Golden Bay and the numerous beach concessions at Ghadira and Armier, which are all elbowing Joe Citizen away from the coast.

One can condense the kaleidoscope of reasons for objecting to these proposals into the following cardinal themes: marine ecology, hydrodynamics, socio-economics. Nature Trust and environmentalists in general are concerned that no lessons seem to have been learned from the Portomaso and Cirkewwa terminal project fiascos, since the same slipshod silt and stone material mitigation measures employed within such projects are being proposed for Hondoq ir-Rummien. Silt and other fine particles remain water-borne for a long period of time before settling on the bottom, reducing water visibility to a sliver and smothering species such as seagrasses and algae which depend on good water visibility.

In addition, antifouling paints used to keep yachts devoid of any barnacles and oils and fuel emanating from the same yachts contribute towards degrading the water quality at the only site in Gozo which affords bathing possibilities in strong NW winds. The project (via structures such as the breakwater) is postulated to alter once and for all the hydrodynamics (i.e. the dynamics of water currents) in the area, which dictate the rate of accretion or erosion of a beach, the recruitment (breeding) of many marine species, etc.

No conscientious environmentalist can turn his back on socio-economic arguments. From a social perspective, the residents of Qala are savvy about facing the prospects of trucks laden with 1 million square metres of high-quality hardstone, relaying up and down the road to Hondoq – this effectively means years of bearing up with bellowing clouds of dust and diesel fumes (and the road catering for such trucks has not yet been identified). Car park facilities are to be provided on site, but asking for such facilities to be free of charge is wishful thinking. The bungalows/villas of the multi-ownership genre being proposed within the project belong to the speculative cohort which has become the latest craze in Gozo (e.g. Ta’ Cenc proposals). Why drool so much on property development, especially targeted for foreigners, when many hotels in Gozo are changing skin to apartment blocks?

I can bet my last penny that the other side of the fence will dangle the employment carrot – i.e. flooring the hollow promise that the project is needed for the economy of the island of Gozo since it will employ hundreds of its alienated youth. Such promises evaporate into thin air as it soon dawns upon the public that long-term (i.e. not during the project development itself) quality employment provided by the project will be minimal. On another note, are there iron-clad assurances about the genre of employment available? Will vacancies for chambermaids, pontoon carers, etc only be up for grabs, and will these be granted to job-hungry Gozitans only?

Prepered by Alan Deidun

Leave Hondoq be!

Published on The Times of Malta on 24th October, 2006

Anne and David Schink, Essex, UK.

We recently visited Gozo as we have done over the past few years and once again spent many wonderful mornings and afternoons at Hondoq bay.

The reason many tourists and locals visit Hondoq is the fact that it is unspoilt and uncommercialised, something that will be destroyed if the current plans go ahead.

By all means tidy it up - fill in the old quarry etc - but please, please, please do not build a marina, hotel, etc.

Environmental pollution aside, this will spoil a very enjoyable place to be.

The green whistleblower: More on Hondoq

Published on The Sunday Times on 22nd October, 2006 by Alan Deidun.

George Attard's letter (The Times, October 7) goes against the grain by supporting the proposed Hondoq project. Mr Attard justified his position by stating that youth employment is so high in Gozo and the tourist sector is on its knees.

Hence, the implication is that the project fillip for both sectors - maybe in the same way that L-Imgarr Hotel, Andar Hotel (both being demolished or refurbished) and San Lawrenz Hotel extension (sold off as apartments) did? Regarding employment, does Mr Attard condone the taking up of one of the last unimpeded beaches in Gozo so that jobs, such as room or yacht attendants can be offered to Gozitans? Is there a guarantee as to how many of such jobs will be offered to Gozitans?

The Labour Party has made its position on Hondoq public, by denouncing the real estate parts of the project (including the hotel extension) but committing itself in favour of the yacht marina on site. Our country's main chimera remains the politicisation of the environment, with both parties supporting or opposing projects in view of the other side's viewpoint.

Labour has taken a position of strength, in its opinion, on Hondoq - opposing Government's plans but at the same appeasing both environmentalists and the business community in what essentially is a half-baked position.

The whole project should be endorsed or rejected, especially since the yacht marina is the aspect which is of greatest concern to locals and environmentalists - hence, the dangling carrot presented to environmentalists has failed. Such vote-catching antics by both parties should cease. Government should also take note of the torrent of letters of protest against the project.

Up the creek

Published on The Times of Malta on 22nd October, 2006 by Mr Joe Cauchi, Qala.

On a recent trip to England I visited Stonehenge. I learned that there were plans to redirect the roads so that the site will appear as it did when it was built. If only, I thought, we could learn from the British!

Instead we have the tendency to do the opposite. The Ggantija temples look so artificial with all that fencing and landscaping; Fort Chambray is such an eyesore with the new limestone buildings, like fungi on a corpse. And still we are bent on destroying our national assets - and if the greedy get their way, Hondoq is next!

Some people think that being against the project is an indication of being against the government. It has nothing to do with politics. It's a question of the public's right to a place of relaxation; it's a question of maintaining the natural/ecological integrity of a pristine beach of which Gozo is running dangerously low.

There were talks of studies on the impact of Hondoq creek and the conclusion was zero-impact. However, I would like to know: where can I read these reports? Who carried out the studies? Were they neutral groups or were they biased in favor of the developers? I'm sure that at one time cigarette companies claimed their researchers found out that smoking was not hazardous to one's health!

Sant declares opposition to Hondoq project

Published on Malta Today on 15th October, 2006.

Labour leader Alfred Sant has declared that the development of tourist complex and yacht marina in the picturesque Hondoq ir-Rummien bay in Qala, Gozo should not go ahead, describing it as “harsh speculation”.

“The motor behind this project is nothing but big profits for certain people over this land,” Sant said, saying the land had great tourism potential and offers recreation and a better life for Gozitans, Maltese and tourists.

Sant also met Qala residents, saying their complaints on the project were justified, good and strong. “They deserve the support of all Maltese and Gozitans,” Sant said in a press conference at Hondoq after meeting residents and families.

Sant also said the Hondoq development project was not the sort of tourism development Gozitans and Qala residents needed. “Nor is it the way to create employment. It’s not true this project will lead to sustainable employment in Gozo for the long-term.”

Sant was accompanied by Gozo MPs Justyne Caruana and Anton Refalo, and environment spokesperson Roderick Galdes and local councillors.

Environmentalist per excellence

Published on The Sunday Times on 22nd October, 2006.

The Minister Pullicino opened a fierce attack on the ambientalists accusing them with a hidden agenda. I wonder how the Minister did not realize that such an attack could have grave consequences by reverting the same attack on himself, being he himself the Minister of Environment and consequently the ambientalist par excellence.

I would like to ask the Minister: "At the first sight, who appears to have a hidden agenda, those engaged in struggling to preserve the environment as laid down by nature itself or those who foot and pave the way for the destruction of the ambient as caused by nature under the pretension of the famous word: "sustainable"???

Lawrence Theuma
Qala



Sur Editur,

Il-Ministru tal-Ambjent kellu l-hila johrog b'attakk, xejn mistenni, ghall-ambjentalisti. Bla l-ebda bazi fundata, akkuzahom li ghandhom agenda mohbija.

Possibli l-Ministru ma rrealizzax li attakk simili jista' facilment jdur fuqu, b'konsegwenzi mhux mixtieqa, meta hu nnifsu qed jokkupa s-siggu ta' l-ambjent u allura hu meqjus bhala l-ambjentalista numru wiehed?

Inhossuna grati lejn il-Ministru kieku jghidilna min ghandu agennda mohbija. Hux dawk li jahlu hinhom u l-energija taghhom biex isalvaw ambjenti naturali mhedda bi strupru jew dawk li jieqfu ma' dawk li jmiddu idejhom ghall-qerda ambjentali irriversibbli, mistohbija wara l-kelma "sostenibbli", hafna drabi abbuzata?

Lawrenz Theuma
Qala

Protesti Gustifikati dwar Hondoq ir-Rummien

Pubblikata fuq it-Torca nhar l-15 ta' Ottubru, 2006.

Il-protesti li qieghdin isiru kontr l-progett ta’ villel, appartamenti ta’ lussu,lukanda u yacht marina f’Hodnoq ir-Rummien,fil-Qala gahwdex, mhux biss huma gustifikati izda jixirqilhom l-appogg tal-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin kollha.

Dan qalu l-Mexxej Laburista, Alfred Sant, waqt konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet fil-post fejn qed ikun propost li jsir dan il-progett, u wara li iktar Qabel iltaqa’ ma’ numru ta’ residenti u familji mill-Qala.

Sant qal li z-zjara fuq il-post fejn hu propost li jsir il-progett tkompli tikkonferma kemm dan m’ghandux isir ghax jammonta ghal spekulazzjoni harxa ta’nhawi li huma fost l-isbah fil-gzejjer taghna. Dan il-post ghandu potenzjal turistiku kbir u potenzjal li joffri rikreazzjoni u hajja ahjar ghall-Ghawdxin kollha,ghall-Maltin u ghat-turisti.

Ghalhekk, sahaq il-mexxej Laburista, il-progett li qed ikun propost jammonta ghall-esplojtazzjoni ta’ art imprezzabbli u spekulazzjoni fuq il-valur taghha meta jinbnew il-vilel u l-appartamenti. Il-mutur wara dan il-progett mhu xejn hlief li l-art tintuza biex certi nies jaghmlu profitti kbar.

Alfred sant qal li l-izvillup li qed ikun propost f’Hondoq ir- rummien mhux l-izvillup turistiku li Ghandhom bzonn il-Qala u Ghawdex u lanqas huwa l-mod kif jitqanqal ix-xoghol. Sostna li mhux veru li l-progett kif propost iwassal ghall-impjiegi sostenibbli ghat-tul f’Ghawdex.

Fost ir-residenti tal-Qala li ltaqgha maghhom il-mexxej Laburista Paul Buttigieg attivist kontra l-progett ta’Hondoq ir-Rummien u Dun Lawrenz Theuma li t-tnejn spjegaw f’dettal ma’ Alfred Sant l-oggezzjonijiet taghhom ghall-progett. Prezenti ghall-konfernza ta’ l-ahbarijiet kien hemm anke residenti barranin li jghixu fil-Qala.

Qala residents should be supported

Published on MaltaStar on 15th October, 2006.

Speaking at Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo’s last remaining bay in its pristine, natural state, Labour leader, Dr Alfred Sant, said that the opposition of the residents to the proposed project is justified. MEPA has granted permission to develop the site into a marina with accompanying hotel, tourist village and residential area of apartments, bungalows and villas and this will ruin the place once and for all. This is why the residents must be supported by all Maltese and Gozitans said Dr Sant who visited Hondoq ir-Rummien accompanied by deputy leader Dr Michael Falzon, Gozo MPs Dr Anton Refalo and Dr Justyne Caruana, Labour general secretary Jason Micallef, candidate Joe Cordina, and other Labour activists.

“I think it’s crazy,” said an English speaking resident who added “You won’t be able to swim here!”

Il-protesti kontra l-progett ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien huma gustifikati u jixirqilhom appogg - Alfred Sant

Pubblikata fuq il-Kulhadd nhar il-15 ta' Ottubru, 2006.

IL-PROTESTI li qed isiru kontra l-progett ta’ vilel, appartamenti ta’ lussu, lukanda u yacht marina f’Hondoq ir-Rummien fil-Qala f’Ghawdex mhux biss huma gustifikati izda jixirqilhom l-appogg tal-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin kollha.

Dan qalu l-Mexxej Laburista Alfred Sant waqt konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet fil-post fejn qed ikun propost li jsir dal-progett, u wara li iktar qabel anki iltaqa’ ma numru ta’ residenti u familji mill-Qala f’Ghawdex.

Alfred sant qal li l-gvern Nazzjonalista qed jipproponi li f’Hondoq ir-Rummien ikun hemm progett ta’ vilel, appartamenti ta’ lussu, lukanda u yacht marina f’Hondoq ir-Rummien. Il-Mexxej Laburista qal li mill-laqghat li kellu ma’ residenti mill-Qala jirrizulta li l-ilmenti li qed isiru dwar dan il-progett huma ilmenti gustifikati, tajbin u qawwija.

Zjara fuq il-post fejn qed ikun propost li jsir il-progett, qal Alfred Sant, tkompli tikkonferma kemm dan l-istess progett m’ghandux isir ghaliex jammonta ghal spekulazzjoni harxa ta’ inhawi li huma fost l-isbah f’Malta u f’Ghawdex. Dan il-post ghandu potenzjal turistiku kbir u potenzjal li joffri rikreazzjoni u hajja ahjar ghall-Ghawdxin kollha, ghall-Maltin u ghat-turisti.

Ghalhekk, sahaq il-Mexxej Laburista, il-progett li qed ikun propost jammonta ghal esplojtazzjoni ta’ art imprezzabbli u ghal spekulazzjoni fuq il-valur taghha meta jinbnew il-vilel u l-appartamenti. Il-mutur wara dal-progett mhu xejn hlief li l-art tintuza biex certi nies jaghmlu profitti kbar.

Alfred Sant qal li l-izvilupp li qed ikun propost f’Hondoq ir-Rummien mhux l-izvilupp turistiku li ghandhom bzonn il-Qala u Ghawdex u lanqas huwa l-mod kif jitqanqal ix-xoghol. Il-Mexxej Laburista qal li mhux veru li l-progett kif propost iwassal ghal impjiegi sostenibbli ghat-tul f’Ghawdex.

Fost ir-residenti tal-Qala li iltaqa’ maghhom il-Mexxej Laburista qabel il-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet kien hemm Paul Buttigieg, attivist kontra l-progett ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien u Dun Lawrenz Theuma li t-tnejn spjegaw f’dettall ma’ Alfred Sant l-oggezzjonijiet taghhom ghall-progett. Prezenti ghall-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet kien hemm anki residenti barranin li jghixu fil-Qala.

Min-naha tal-Partit Laburista ghall-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet attendew ukoll id-deputat Mexxej Michael Falzon, is-Segretarju Generali Jason Micallef, id-deputati Ghawdxin Anton Refalo u Justyne Caruana, il-kelliem ghall-ambjent Roderick Galdes, il-kunsilliera Laburisti fil-Qala Anthony Camilleri u Ivan Falzon u l-kandidat Laburista Joe Cordina, u ufficjali mill-Kumitat Distrettwali Laburista ghal Ghawdex.

Sant comes out four-square against Hondoq project

Published on The Malta Independent on 15th October, 2006.

Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday committed his party against the proposed Hondoq ir-Rummien development project in Gozo.

Visiting the site, Dr Sant blamed the PN government for the project, which will include the building of villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina. He termed it as base speculation on one of the most beautiful sites in Gozo, adding the area has huge tourist potential and could offer better quality facilities for the recreation of all Gozitans, as well as Maltese and tourists.

Dr Sant also met Gozo residents who are against the project among whom Paul Buttigieg and Fr Lawrence Theuma.

Sant tours Hondoq ir-Rummien

Published on The Sunday Times of Malta on 15th October, 2006.

Opposition leader Alfred Sant said yesterday that protests against planned development at Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo, were justified and deserved support.

Dr Sant said the "Nationalist government" was proposing a project for the site that would include villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina.

Touring the site, Dr Sant said that this was an area of substantial tourist and recreational potential and the proposed project would amount to speculation and exploitation of priceless land, without creating sustainable jobs.

The only motivation for the proposed project was that some people wanted to make huge profits.

Objections to the Hondoq ir-Rummien proposed development project are fully justified and deserve support - A. Sant

Published by di-ve news on 14/10/2006

QALA, Malta--The Malta Labour Party (MLP) leader Alfred Sant said that the protests being held against the development of villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien in Qala, Gozo, are not only justified but deserve the support of all Maltese and Gozitans.

Sant was on Saturday morning addressing a press conference in Qala and afterward met a number of residents from the same locality.

In his address, the opposition leader said that the project will lead to an insensitive speculation on one of the most beautiful sites in the Maltese islands. The area can offer big opportunities for tourism while it is also a good recreational site, Sant said.

The MLP leader also said that the proposed project will lead to the exploitation of priceless land and to speculation on its value once the villas and apartments are built.

"The main scope of this project is that simply, specific people make big profits."

Sant said that the proposed project does not suite Gozo's tourism needs, neither its dire need for employment.

Among those against the project, Sant met Paul Buttigieg and Father Lawrenz Theuma, both activists against the project who explained in detail their objections. A number of foreigners residing in Qala also explained their objections to the proposed developments.

Hondoq project will change area forever (1)

Published on the Times of Malta on 13th October, 2006 by Jenny Carter, Qala.

The monster of the Hondoq development application has again reared its ugly head. This Goliath was vanquished a few years ago by the people of Qala with a resounding vote of 85 per cent against but now it has returned with a vengeance.

If this project is allowed to take place the peace and tranquillity of Qala will be ruined forever. The quaint narrow village streets and square will be choked by fumes from the developer's trucks and pedestrians will take their lives in their hands just going about their daily lives. Forget about sitting outside any of the restaurants and bars or attending an external church function in the square: the fumes and the danger of traffic will soon drive you away.

To escape from all this you might go down to Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay where the clean blue waters once lapped at the small, safe bathing beach and there was plenty of parking, albeit a little scruffy and unkempt, nonetheless a popular place with tourists and locals to come for a swim and a sunbathe and even a cool drink and a pizza.

If the marina development is allowed there will no longer be clean, clear water, just the murky, oily mess that can be viewed any day at Mgarr. Would you want to let your children swim in the harbour?

I don't think so. It is a complete nonsense to claim a zero impact on the swimming beach when common sense tells you the opposite.

At a time when tourism is declining and with no revival in sight, when hotels are closing and businesses failing, does it make any sense at all to allow the building of a hotel, shops, restaurants and multi-ownership apartments (time share by another name) and in doing so ruin yet another piece of Gozo's beleaguered coastline?

This project has not yet been given the go-ahead. Despite rumours to the contrary, it can still be opposed. It is not an insurmountable obstacle if the residents act with one voice.

People of Qala, put aside your political, religious and personal differences and rise up against the greater threat to your village and its surroundings; to your lifestyle and your heritage. Once Hondoq is lost it can never be reclaimed and Gozo is too small for the luxury of developmental mistakes.

Planning and development should not be allied to politics. Damage to the environment and heritage affects us all regardless of party.

Don't just let it happen! Act now and help stop the proposed destruction!

Hondoq project will change area forever (2)

Published on The Times of Malta on 13th October, 2006 by Charles Sammut, New York, US.

Much has been written lately in these pages about the drop in tourism in Malta. Numbers are down and many hotels on Gozo are closing their doors for good.

Yet the powers that be act as though they are clueless as to why this is going on. All one has to do is take a good look around him and he will not wonder any more about the reason why tourists are shunning the islands. It is called over-development, with all its repercussions.

Anytime I am driving down to Mgarr and taking a look at the monstrosity that Chambrai has become, it makes me wonder why this abomination was allowed to happen. A beautiful olive orchard was cut down to be replaced by an eyesore of apartment blocks.

Now it looks like some developers want to destroy another icon - Hondoq ir-Rummien.

As a Gozo native and a frequent visitor to Gozo I have to admit that Hondoq is one of the few spots left where one can enjoy bathing and panoramic, picturesque views. Because it is situated along the Gozo Channel, the water is always clean and refreshing. Now greedy developers want to usurp nature's gift to mankind so they can line their pockets. And the agency that is supposed to prevent this grand larceny went along with the scheme.

Don't the sitting members of Mepa realise that once a marina is built one will never enjoy swimming in that area again? Look what happened to the beaches of my childhood that we used to call Iz-Zewwieqa? A marina was built and now you might as well rename the area the Dead Sea. Between the flotsam and jetsam and the floating oil and diesel, it will just never be the same again.

So I hope the authorities will come to their senses and try and preserve what is left of Gozo if they want to continue having any semblance of a tourist industry. I wonder why this is so hard to comprehend?

Il-progett “Qala Creek” f’Hondoq ir-Rummien: Bdil fil-Pjan Lokali biex jigi agevolat l-izviluppatur?

Pubblikat fuq l-Orizzont nhar t-13 ta' Ottubru, 2006 minn Brandon Pisani.

F’temp ta’ erba’ snin – wara li l-poplu tal-Qala kien qal “le” ghall-progett – il-Pjan Lokali ghal Hondoq ir-Rummien inbidel kompletament. Sorsi minn Ghawdex qalu lil l-orizzont li x’aktarx li dan il-bdil sar biex jigi agevolat l-izviluppatur u b’hekk ikun jista’ bla xkiel ta’ xejn jizviluppa Hondoq ir-Rummien f’post turistiku.

Harsa lejn iz-zewg pjani lokali li jinsabu f’idejn l-orizzont jirrizulta li hemm “bahar jaqsam” bejn dak li kien hemm miktub fl-2002 u dak li hemm miktub fil-pjan ta’ din is-sena. Iz-zewg pjani lokali bin-numru GZ-Qala-4 jghidu li l-barriera li hemm f’Hondoq ir-Rummien ilha s-snin li waqfet topera u l-attività ta’ skavazzjoni halliet gerha li hija vizibbli minn Kemmuna u anke waqt il-vjaggi tal-vapuri ta’ Ghawdex.

Skond il-Pjan Lokali GZ-Qala-4 ta’ l-2002, “75 fil-mija tas-sit ghandu jkun afforestat skond il-provizjonijiet tal-‘Guidance on Planting’. Il-bqija tas-sit ghandu jkun integrat skond l-ambjent ta’ madwar, bil-postijiet tas-sit ikunu accessibbli b’facilitajiet ghall-pubbliku.


Izda skond il-Pjan Lokali li kien approvat fl-2006 – il-GZ-Qala-4 ukoll – jinghad fih li numru ta’ proposti gew sottomessi ghall-izvilupp ta’ dan is-sit u li “zvilupp turistiku u marittimu ghandu jkun ikkonsidrat mill-MEPA ghal dan is-sit”.

L-istess sorsi qalu lil l-orizzont li dan kollu juri kemm kollox qieghed jitpogga fuq platt tal-fidda ghall-izviluppatur halli ma jkunx hemm problemi biex il-permess tal-MEPA jinhariglu.

Is-Sindku tal-Qala, Paul Buttigieg, meta kkuntattja lil l-orizzont, xtaq jiccara xi punti wara r-rapport li deher nhar it-Tlieta ntitolat “Il-Kunsill tal-Qala u l-progett f’Hondoq ir-Rummien – Qbil…basta b’kuntratt notarili”. Qal li l-Kunsill “qieghed dejjem jikkummenta li jekk jigi approvat il-permess isir kuntratt notarili peress li l-policy tad-‘Draft Local Plan’ inbidlet u minn afforestazzjoni u riabilitazzjoni tal-barriera, giet li ghandu jigi kkunsidrat il-bini ta’ zvilupp turistiku u marittimu.”

Paul Buttigieg ikkummenta li “mhu veru xejn li ahna qeghdin naqblu mal-progett basta jsir kuntratt. Il-kuntratt notarili jsir biss jekk jigi approvat il-permess u dan biex nissalvagwardjaw dak li fil-pjanti jidher li se jibqa’ ghall-uzu tal-pubbliku. Dan qieghed isir biex fil-futur hadd ma jiehu dak li llum qieghed jintuza mill-pubbliku. Il-Kunsill Lokali, fis-sottomissjonijiet tieghu wera bic-car li mhux jaqbel mal-pjanti kif proposti ghax il-progett ghadu kbir hafna u ghad baqa’ lok li jiccekken.”

Fir-rapport li l-orizzont ippubblika nhar it-Tlieta, qatt ma ghedna li l-Kunsill irid jiffirma kuntratt notarili qabel isir il-progett, izda ghidna li “fir-rapport tieghu, il-Kunsill tal-Qala qieghed jesigi ghal diversi drabi li ghandu jkun iffirmat kuntratt notarili bejn il-Kunsill u l-izviluppatur biex dan il-progett – meta jigi approvat – ma jikbirx iktar milli huwa ppjanat li jsir.”

Iktar ’l isfel fir-rapport ktibna li “l-Kunsill tal-Qala, fis-sottomissjonijiet tieghu lill-MEPA jitkellem dwar il-Bajja ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien. Il-Kunsill jispjega li jekk jigi approvat dan il-progett jew xi parti minnu, ghandu “jsir kuntratt bejn l-izviluppatur u Kunsill Lokali li din il-bajja qatt u qatt ma tista’ tigi tal-privat, liema kuntratt isir ghand nutar.”

B’dan il-kuntratt l-orizzont kien qal li l-izviluppatur ikun marbut li qatt ma jista’ jaghmel uzu jew jiehu min jeddu, jew jitlob ghal zvilupp addizjonali f’din l-arja minghajr il-kunsens taz-zewg firmatorji. B’hekk iz-zewg partijiet ikunu qed jintrabtu li f’ebda hin u fl-ebda perjodu ma jista’ jsir zvilupp jekk mhux bil-kunsens taz-zewg partijiet u wara li jingiebu l-permessi necessarji.”

Paul Buttigieg, is-Sindku tal-Qala, zied jghid li “l-Kunsill Lokali baqghalu riservi kbar fuq il-jott-marina. Il-Kunsill ghadu mhux konvint b’jott marina vicin il-bajja ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien, jaghmilha min jaghmilha.”

Huwa zied jghid li “bhala Kunsill Lokali ninsabu preokkupati mmens dwar il-problema tat-toroq u minn fejn se jghaddu l-ingenji kbar u zghar u ghalhekk, dejjem jekk jigi approvat il-progett, il-Kunsill Lokali qieghed jesigi li ssir triq gdida biex it-traffiku kollu relatat mal-progett, kemm waqt kif ukoll wara li jitlesta, ma jghaddix mic-centru tar-rahal. Tlabna wkoll li jintuzaw il-‘barges’ ghat-trasport tal-materjal. Insostni li f’ebda hin ma ghedna li naq-blu mal-progett, anzi totalment qeghdin nghidu bil-kontra.”

Is-Sindku fakkar lil l-orizzont li wara r-referendum li sar erba’ snin ilu “il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala ghadu ma hareg l-ebda stqarrija ufficjali ohra ghax dak li ghamel kien li ressaq is-sottomissjonijiet tieghu biex jigu nkluzi fit-‘terms of reference’ ta’ l-EIA u allura dak li kien jghodd erba’ snin ilu, ghadu jghodd sal-lum.

Il-Kunsill lest li johrog stqarrija wara li jkun lest l-EIA u wara li jkun ikkonsulta mar-residenti Qalin b’dak li gie nkluz fl-EIA.

“Ghalhekk tajjeb li jigi ccarat li l-pozizzjoni tal-Kunsill tal-Qala hija li ghalkemm il-progett iccekken, dan xorta ghadu kbir u esagerat. F’kelma wahda, il-Kunsill Lokali mhux jaqbel mal-pjanti sottomessi. Barra minnhekk, fid-dawl tal-bdil tal-Pjan Lokali u allura jekk jinhargu l-permessi ghal dan l-izvilupp, ahna bhala Kunsill irridu nissalvagwardjaw l-interess tar-residenti Qalin billi dak li llum hu tal-poplu u ghall-uzu tal-poplu, almenu jibqa’ tal-poplu.

Wara pariri li hadna, irrakkomandajna biex isir kuntratt notarili bejn il-Kunsill Lokali u l-izviluppatur u dawk iz-zoni li llum jintuzaw mill-pubbliku, jibqghu tal-pubbliku,” temm jghid Paul Buttigieg.

Il-progett propost tal-‘Qala Creek’, skond l-izviluppaturi ‘Gozo Prestige Holidays’, se jkun jiswa 72 miljun Ewro, jigifieri madwar tmien miljun Ewro inqas milli kien se jiswa erba’ snin ilu.

Skond l-izviluppaturi, l-art fejn se jsir il-progett hija taghhom u tkopri 107,597 metru kwadru. Huma qalu li se jizviluppaw 56,880 metru kwadru mill-barriera ta’ Hondoq. L-izviluppaturi qalu li jekk il-permess tal-MEPA johrog din is-sena stess, huwa mahsub li l-iskavar mistenni jdum bejn 15-il xahar u 18-il xahar, waqt li x-xoghol kollu mistenni jdum erba’ snin sa l-ahhar ta’ l-2010.

Iz-zona tal-progett “Qala Creek” hija bejn l-inhawi maghrufin bhala “Ta’ l-Ghassa” fil-Lvant tal-barriera u bejn l-inhawi maghrufin bhala “Ta’ Kordina” fit-Tramuntana tal-barriera. Iz-zona tkopri wkoll l-inhawi ta’ “Hondoq ir-Rummien Gorge” u “Hondoq ir-Rummien Valley” fil-Punent u n-Nofsinhar tal-barriera rispettivament.

Jidher ukoll li fil-progett il-“gdid” intlahaq ftehim ukoll dwar il-“Kappella tal-Madonna tal-Blat” li tinsab fl-istess zona. Din il-kappella nghatat lill-Parocca tal-Qala u giet inkorporata wkoll fil-progett.

Ta’ min ifakkar li bejn il-15 u s-17 ta’ Novembru tas-sena 2002, il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala organizza referendum konsultattiv ghall-Qalin biex jivvotaw jekk humiex favur jew kontra l-progett “Qala Creek”.

Dak iz-zmien, ghal dan ir-referendum kienu hargu jivvotaw 966 (74.4 fil-mija) minn 1,298 resident fil-Qala li kienu elegibbli ghall-vot.

Minn dawn, 806 (84.5 fil-mija) ivvotaw kontra li jsir il-progett, waqt li 148 (15.5 fil-mija) ivvotaw favur il-progett. Kien hemm biss 12-il vot invalidu.

bpisani@unionprint.com.mt

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala u l-progett f’Hondoq ir-Rummien: Qbil... basta b’kuntratt notarili

Pubblikata fuq L-Orizzont nhar l-10 ta' Ottubru, 2006 minn Brandon Pisani.

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala, ftit tal-gimghat ilu ressaq il-proposti tieghu quddiem l-Awtorità Maltija ghall-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar (il-MEPA) dwar it-tieni proposta ghall-izvilupp tal-“Qala Creek” fil-bajja pittoreska ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien.

Harsa bir-reqqa lejn il-kummenti tal-Kunsill, jidhercar li fil-principju, il-Kunsill qieghed jaqbel li jsir dan il-progett, basta li jsir kuntratt notarili bejn l-istess Kunsill Lokali u l-izviluppaturi.

F’ittra mibghuta lill-MEPA fit-18 ta’ Awissu li ghadda ffirmata mis-Sindku Paul Buttigieg – li l-orizzont kiseb kopja taghha – il-Kunsill tal-Qala ressaq il-proposti, suggerimenti u l-kummenti dwar l-applikazzjoni “Qala Creek PA03798/06 – GF00034/06”.

Fir-rapport tieghu, il-Kunsill tal-Qala qieghed jesigi ghal diversi drabi li ghandu jkun iffirmat kuntratt notarili bejn il-Kunsill u l-izviluppatur biex dan il-progett – meta jigi approvat – ma jikbirx iktar milli huwa ppjanat li jsir.

Fil-fatt, f’punt numru 8 tal-kummenti tieghu lill-MEPA, taht is-sotto-titlu ‘Kuntratt bejn il-Kunsill Lokali u l-Izviluppaturi’, is-Sindku, Paul Buttigieg jesigi li “l-Kunsill Lokali qed jirrakkomanda biex il-MEPA timponi kundizzjoni fejn is-siti indikati ghall-pubbliku u li huma msemmijin hawn taht: Public Wharf area; Il-plajja fejn hemm ir-ramel; il-latrina; is-Slip Way u l-Parking Area, biex ma jkunx hemm biza’ li ghada pitghada jsir zvilupp addizzjonali fihom ghandu jsir kuntratt notarili bejn il-Kunsill Lokali u l-izviluppatur liema kuntratt jaghti t-titlu ta’ proprjetà“ lill-Kunsill Lokali u jigi rregistrat u mdahhal fl-arkivji tal-Qorti.

B’dan il-kuntratt l-izviluppatur ikun marbut li qatt ma jista’ jaghmel uzu jew jiehu min jeddu, jew jitlob ghal zvilupp addizjonali f’dan is-sit minghajr il-kunsens taz-zewg firmatarji. B’hekk iz-zewg partijiet ikunu qeghdin jintrabtu li f’ebda hin u fl-ebda perjodu ma jista’ jsir zvilupp jekk mhux bil-kunsens taz-zewg partijiet u wara li jingiebu l-permessi necessarji. ” Residenti Qalin li tkellmu ma’ l-orizzont qalu li “b’dan l-argument, il-Kunsill Lokali taghna qieghed jghid lill-izviluppaturi - huduh u ghamluh il-progett. Ma nistghux nifhmu kif minn tant nies, huwa l-Kunsill Lokali biss li jidher li huwa favur il-qerda ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien”.

Il-Kunsill mhux jghid li hu kontra l-progett ghax qieghed jinsisti li hemm lok fejn jitnaqqas l-ammont indikat minn dan il-progett. Dan x’ifisser li huma kuntenti bil-progett dment li jitnaqqas? Hija cara li b’hekk qeghdin jghidu kontra li qal il-poplu fir-referendum erba’ snin ilu.”

Il-mohh wara l-progett propost tal-‘Qala Creek’ hija l-kumpanija Gozo Prestige Holidays ta’ l-Avukat Victor Bajada u Joseph Cassar. Il-progett il-gdid (wara li sab oppozizzjoni erba’ snin ilu) se jkun, skond l-izviluppaturi, fuq skala izghar u se jiswa 72 miljun Ewro, jigifieri madwar tmien miljun Ewro inqas milli kien se jiswa erba’ snin ilu.

Fir-rapport li l-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala pprezenta lill-MEPA dwar dan il-progett, is-Sindku qal li bhala Kunsill Lokali jhoss li ghalkemm kien hemm tnaqqis fl-ammont u n-numru ta’ vilel u ‘self-catering’ units xorta jhossu li baqa’ lok fejn jista’ jitnaqqas l-ammont.

Ghal dan il-ghan il-Kunsill ippropona li l-progett ghandu jiccekken aktar – kemm fil- kobor tal-lukanda, kemm fis-‘self-catering units’, kemm fil-‘multi-ownership residents units’ u anke fil-kobor tal-jott marina.

Dwar lukanda ‘Deluxe 5 Star’, il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala qal li “ghalkemm jaqbel mal-bini tal-lukanda, xorta nhossu li din ghandha ticcekken u ma tkunx il-kobor kif indikat fil-PDS. Peress li l-lukanda tista’ tohloq ix-xoghol, f’kaz li jinhareg il-permess ghall-bini tal-progett, il-Qalin ghandhom jinghataw l-opportunità, jinghataw preferenza biex isibu xoghol fl-imsemmi lukanda u fil-progett indikat.”

Il-Kunsill tal-Qala, fis-sottomissjonijiet tieghu lill-MEPA jitkellem dwar il-Bajja ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien. Il-Kunsill jispjega li jekk jigi approvat dan il-progett jew xi parti minnu ghandu “jsir kuntratt bejn l-izviluppatur u Kunsill Lokali li din il-bajja qatt u qatt ma tista’ tigi tal-privat, liema kuntratt isir ghand nutar. Il-Bajja tigi rrangata billi titkabbar sa hdejn il-latrina prezenti u jingieb ramel apposta flok dak li hemm, jithawlu palm u jsir public toilet bix-xawers attraenti. Ix-xoghol isir bi spejjez ta’ l-izviluppatur u s-sit jigi amministrat mill-Kunsill Lokali.

Isir kuntratt bejn l-izviluppatur u Kunsill Lokali li l-Public Wharf Area ghandha tinghata bit-titlu lill-Kunsill Lokali Qala biex tibqa’ ghall-uzu tal-pubbliku u parti minnha tigi trasformata f’BBQ area liema area tkun amministrata mill-Kunsill Lokali.”

Fl-istess waqt, il-Kunsill qieghed jesigi li bi spejjez tal-kuntrattur, isiru testijiet tal-kwalità ta’ l-ilma bahar, waqt li dwar is-‘self-catering units’, il-‘multi-ownership residents’ u ‘self-catering villas’, il-Kunsill Lokali jhoss li l-ghadd taghhom hu esagerat u se jwassal biex johloq impatt negattiv fuq l-ambjent, il-kultura u l-hajja socjali tar-residenti Qalin.

Dwar il-jott marina, il-Kunsill qal li “ghalkemm kien hemm tibdil drastiku dwar il-bokka tal-jott marina u dwar il-kobor taghha fejn sar xi tnaqqis, xorta l-Kunsill Lokali baqaghlu rizervi kbar dwar jott marina vicin il-bajja ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien, dwar kemm il-bahar jibqa’ tajjeb ghall-ghawm, hmieg u zjut mill-jottijiet u harsien tar-regolamenti ta’ l-uzu tal-marinas.”

It-talba biex jigi ffirmat kuntratt notarili terga’ titfaccja fejn jidhlu s-servizzi ghal dan il-proggett. Fil-fatt, il-Kunsill jishaq li l-parkegg jigi amministrat mill-Kunsill Lokali u dan ghandu jsir b’kuntratt notarili bejn iz-zewg partijiet.

L-istess jghodd ghas-‘slip way’, fejn il-Kunsill jghid li jidher li se tigi rrangata u ghalhekk ghandha wkoll tkun accessibbli ghal kulhadd u ghalhekk ghandu jsir ftehim bejn iz-zewg partijiet b’kuntratt notarili.

Il-Kunsill qieghed ukoll jitlob lill-MEPA biex l-izviluppatur ikun marbut b’garanziji li jkun konformi mal-pjanti mahruga mal-kundizzjonijiet maghmula mill-MEPA; ma jsirx bini addizzjonali jew ahjar ma jinhareg qatt permess ghall-bini addizzjonali u jintrabat b’kuntratt notarili biex jigu salvagwardjati l-interessi tal-Qalin kollha u ta’ dawk li jzuru l-bajja ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien.

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala qieghed jesigi wkoll li l-ewwel preferenza ghall-400 impjieg li qieghed jinghad li se jinholqu b’dan il-progett ghandha tinghata lir-residenti Qalin zghazagh u adulti. B’hekk “b’dan il-mod l-izviluppaturi jkunu qeghdin ipattu ftit ghall-problemi li r-residenti Qalin se jhabtu wicchom maghhom kemm qabel, waqt u wara li jitlesta dan il-progett.”

Finalment il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala qieghed jitlob li jekk jinhargu xi permessi dwar il-progett Qala Creek, trid tinghata somma ta’ flus fi ‘planning gain’ biex tissarraf fi progett li l-Kunsill Lokali qieghed jippjana li jizviluppa fil-futur qarib ta’ ‘Leisure park/sports complex’ bin-numru ta’ l-applikazzjoni PA01303/05 biex jigi finanzjat kollu jew parti minnu mill-‘planning gain’ imhallsa.

Il-Kunsill qieghed iwieghed li wara li jitlesta l-EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) se janalizza r-rapport u wara jlaqqa’ lir-residenti Qalin biex jinfurmahom b’kemm dak li bhala Kunsill Lokali ssottometta qabel l-EIA, kif ukoll kif fl-EIA u dan giex ikkunsidrat jew le. Wara l-Kunsill Lokali jerga’ jressaq il-pozizzjoni tieghu u tal-Qalin quddiem il-MEPA fuq il-propost progett “Qala Creek”.

Is-Sindku ifakkar lill-MEPA li meta erba’ snin ilu l-Kunsill kien informa lill-Qalin bil-progett prospost, waqt il-“Public Hearing” kien inqala’ hafna ghajjat, storbju u kien wassal ghal protesti shan.

Is-Sindku fakkar lill-MEPA wkoll li “barra minn hekk, il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala ghamel referendum, kif kellu l-jedd u s-sahha tal-ligi warajh li jaghmel u jara kif jahsbuha l-Qalin dwar il-propost progett. Ir-referendum li sar bil-barka tal-Ministru Austin Gatt, sar bi trasparenza kbira u kull min ried seta’ jara l-process kollu li sar. Referendum li ghalih ivvutaw 75 fil-mija tar-residenti Qalin elegibbli ghall-vot b’rizultat ta’ 85 fil-mija li kienu kontra l-progett kif propost fl-ewwel PDS u 15 fil-mija favur.

Ghal dan il-ghan il-Kunsill Lokali jhossu fid-dmir u f’obbligu lejn ir-residenti Qalin li jressaq is-sottomissjonijiet tieghu fuq it-tieni PDS li gie moghti lill-Kunsill Lokali proprju ftit tal-gimghat ilu.”

Gonzi ma jaghtix kas il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala

Pubblikata fuq il-Kulhadd nhar it-tmienja ta' Ottubru, 2006.

IL-PRIM Ministru Lawrence Gonzi ta prova li digà mhux jaghti kaZ ta’ dak li qieghed jghid il-kunsill lokali tal-Qala, Ghawdex, dwar il-progett ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien.

Waqt l-attivitajiet ta’ l-indipendenza fuq il-Fosos tal-Floriana, Gonzi ddikjara li huwa jappoggja l-progett kif qieghed ikun propost.

Gonzi ghamel din id-dikjarazzjoni minkejja li l-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala, fejn hemm maggoranza Nazzjonalista, kien digà ddikjara li ma jaqbilx mal-progett kif qieghed ikun propost.

Wara li rcieva minghand l-Awtorità dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar (MEPA) il-Project Development State, il-Kunsill Lokali fela bir-reqqa dan id-dokument u ghadda lill-istess MEPA s-suggerimenti, il-kummenti u l-proposti tieghu lill-istess MEPA permezz ta’ ittra datata 18 ta’ Awissu, 2006, liema ittra kienet iffirmata mis-Sindku Paul Buttigieg.

Minkejja din l-ittra, u minkejja l-proposti tal-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala, xahar wara Gonzi ddikjara li huwa jaqbel mal-progett kif qieghed ikun propost.

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala talab li s-suggerimenti kummenti, u proposti tieghu ikunu inseriti fit-terms of reference li kellhom isiru biex jitfassal l-Environmental Impact Assessment.

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala, huwa ta’ l-opinjoni li ghalkemm kien hemm tnaqqis fl-ammont u n-numru ta’ vilel u self catering units, huwa xorta wahda jhoss li baqa’ lok fejn jista’ jitnaqqas l-ammont indikat fil-PDS.

IL-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala jghid li l-ammont ta’ bini ghandu jonqos biex, fost affarijiet ohra, jkun konformi mal-pjan lokali ghal Ghawdex fejn jitkellem b’mod car dwar il-barriera ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien, il-bajja, u l-inhawi tal-madwar.

Erba’ snin ilu, il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala kien qabel unanimament li kull propost Zvilupp ghall-barriera ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien ghandu jkun assolutament konformi mal-proposti fil-Pjan Lokali ghal Ghawdex, u kien insista li l-proposti m’ghandhom qatt u qatt jinbidlu “minn kif inhuma bhalissa”.

Il-Kunsill jghid li ghalkemm jaqbel mal-bini tal-lukanda, xorta jhoss li din ghandha tickien u ma tkunx il-kobor kif indikat fil-PDS.

Fil-fehma tal-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala, l-ammonti ta’ 60 self-catering units; 200 multi-ownership residents; u 25 self-catering villas, huma esagerati.

Il-Kunsill jghid li ghalkemm sar tnaqqis mill-ewwel PDS, ghat-tieni PDS xorta wahda l-kobor hu sproporzjonat ma’ l-area involuta u mal-ambjent madwar il-bajja.

Il-Kunsill esprima wkoll ir-riservi tieghu dwar il-Yacht Marina b’mod partikolari dwar il-marine life “unika li tinsab fil-bajja ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien, specjalment qabel u waqt il-bini tal-breakwaters u wara li jitlesta l-progett.

Waqt li jesprimi t-thassib tieghu kemm il-bahar se jibqa’ tajjeb ghall-ghawm, il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala jaghmel mistoqsijiet dwar hmieg u Zjut mill-jottijiet, u wkoll dwar il-harsien tar-regolamenti ta’ l-uZu tal-marinas.

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala qal li wara li jitlesta l-Environmental Impact Assessment, se janalizza r-rapport u wara jlaqqa’ lir-residenti tal-Qala biex jinfurmahom b’dak li ssottometta qabel l-EIA, u jekk is-sottomissjonijiet ikunux gew ikkunsidrati jew le.

Fl-ittra tieghu lill-MEPA, il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala ifakkar kif madwar erba’ snin ilu, il-Qalin kienu vvuttaw b’maggoranza kbira kontra l-progett kif dan kien gie propost l-ewwel darba.

Il-Qalin kienu ghamlu dan permezz ta’ referendum li fih kienu vvutaw 75% tar-residenti Qalin li kienu eleigibbli ghall-vot.

Ir-riZultat kien 85% li kienu kontra l-progett kif propost, u 15% kienu favur.

The Life and Times of Marie Benoit

Published on The Malta Independent on 8th October, 2006 by Marie Benoit.

I hope you will sign the petition so that developers will leave Hondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo alone. I remember that some four years ago ago several journalists were taken by helicopter and the promoters and their public relations woman tried to sell the idea to them. I remember one of them telling me that the parish priest and people from the village came out with placards and were very angry about the whole project.

I subsequently met the wife of the architect or perhaps one of the architects who was then very enthusiastic about the project, at some launch or another and she spent half the evening trying to sell me the idea. The media should promote it; she said she saw a similar project somewhere in Britain and it was beautiful and so on and so forth. I did my best to be polite but kept on partaking of the canapés so that I would not be tempted to tell her what I thought of the whole idea and her greed of wanting more than she already had, which is I have no doubt, a substantial amount.

Please do your bit for the environment and sign the petition today. I have signed endless petitions in my life always with the hope that they work. I don’t know if they do work or not but let’s give it a jolly good try. We cannot let these greedy developers ruin the little that remains beautiful and tranquil on these islands. We may not win but at least we would have done our utmost:

http://soshondoq.blogspot.com/


Hands Off Hondoq!

Hondoq ir-Rummien, a coastal area and bay in Qala Gozo, is one of the few remaining tracts of open countryside left in the Maltese Islands. The sea in this area boasts some of the cleanest, clearest water in all of Malta and Gozo, attracting locals and divers alike to spend time in this tranquil beauty spot.

It is now being threatened by a proposed development plan to build a five star hotel catering for 170 bedrooms, approximately 25 villas, 60 Self Catering Units, 200 Multi-Ownership Residences, 731 Underground parking spaces ( only 90 allowed for public use), 10 shops, 5 restaurants and a marina for between 100 to 150 crafts. The alternative to this is our aim, to turn the Hondoq area into a national park where everyone can enjoy the beauty of nature.

So help us save Hondoq by signing the petition.

Thank you for your support, please forward this email to your family, friends and collegues for them to visit http://soshondoq.blogspot.com/ and sign the petition too.

The Green Whistleblower

Published on The Sunday Times on 8th October, 2006 by Alan Deidun

More on Hondoq

Proponents of mega-projects have hoards of cash to splash around, and all kinds of studies are commissioned in their efforts to obtain the much-desired permit. However, one study which proponents would gladly do without is that on a project's economic feasibility one, which should dispel any doubts regarding the need for the project and its long-term viability.

As for the recent golf course craze, the Qala Creek proposals do not seem to be backed by any audit feasibility studies - what if the developers jump onto the bandwagon once the project is given the go-ahead and develop the area entirely into luxury apartments, citing economic failure, as has happened with the San Lawrenz Hotel, Chambray, L-Imgarr Hotel, etc? The proponents of the project should prove me wrong and publish the results of such studies, for public scrutiny.

Qala council's response to the project this time round appears to be a whimper compared to the roar four years back, although, to be fair, its submissions to MEPA on the project make many valid points. The following is the gist of the local council's submission (QLC/MEPA/5/2006):

Proposed hotel should be on a smaller scale.

Proposed numbers of self-catering villas and multi-ownership units should be watered down (since the total residents of the global number of new residences is almost double the population of Qala).

Reservations were expressed regarding the impact of the proposed yacht marina on the existing marine life and bathing water quality and who will shoulder the responsibility of enforcing marina regulations.

Hondoq ir-Rummien beach should remain in the public domain, extended up to the existing toilets through the use of suitable sand, and enhanced with the planting of palms.

A new road be opened at Ta' Bamberin, as a shortcut to Zewwieqa Bay, to allay the passage of the envisaged 120 daily truckloads through Qala, with the excavated waste being loaded upon barges and shipped away.

While such proposals are clearly valid, the local council has provided the developer with an olive branch by stating that any planning gain from the project should be channelled towards the construction of all or part of the proposed leisure park/sports complex in Qala (PA01303/05), that people from Qala should be preferred when employing staff, that a barbecue area should be created within the site, that bathing water quality monitoring should be conducted by the operator (daily in summer and weekly in winter) and that the number of parking spaces earmarked for Qala residents should increase from 90 to 120.

The local council should support the wishes of the majority of Qala residents and strongly oppose the Qala Creek project rather than seek. And by the way, whom did Minister Giovanna Debono consult before coming to the conclusion that the Qala Creek project is useful for Gozo?

Destruction of Hondoq ir-Rummien

Published on The Times on 6th October,2006

The threat to the Gozitan natural heritage has taken a very alarming turn. The Gozitan countryside is what makes this island unique, but instead of being protected, it has, down the past few decades, been disfigured by the construction of innumerable blocks of apartments which besides being totally out of tune with the Gozitan character are, to put it kindly, of questionable architectural value. Now the developers are set to deal it a mortal blow by proposing the construction of two mega-projects. That way they will destroy in one go what would until recently have taken a number of years.

After the threat to the Ta' Cenc area (which is still very real despite the recent ruling by Minister George Pullicino), we now have the issue of Hondoq ir-Rummien. The area is in a dilapidated state, we are told by the developers, and therefore they want to "embellish" it by the construction of a mind boggling project. Excuse me, but wouldn't it be better, and cheaper, if the area is just cleaned up? The project will include, among others, a five-star hotel and 200 multi-ownership residences. The latter is nothing but a euphemism for speculation, while the former is a sop advanced by the developers to create the illusion of job opportunities. Past experience (Fort Chambray anyone?), teaches us that this will be quietly forgotten once the project is sanctioned, while the employment generated by the building activity will, for obvious reasons, be ephemeral. In contrast, there is nothing temporary about the profits accruing to the developers.

The project contravenes a number of Structure Plan policies, foremost among which is TOU 4. This policy is sacrosanct, to me at least, as it unequivocally stipulates where tourist related projects can take place in Gozo. Hondoq ir-Rummien is not one of them. Period. Moreover, the area is designated as an Outside Development Zone, and an outside development zone should be exactly that. If Mepa is going to allow the developers to fiddle with so basic a concept, then it might as well tear up the Structure Plan, and for that matter, dismantle itself because the whole planning process would be a sheer waste of tax payers' money.

Minister Giovanna Debono has described the project as a "good thing for Gozo". It is nothing of the sort. Her remark reminds me of the now discredited dictum: "What is good for Coca Cola is good for America". Make no mistake, the sole beneficiaries of this messy affair will be the developers and their advisors who will guide them through our planning laws, such as they are.

It is clear that the developers are going down a hit list. Don't be surprised if in the coming days, you hear that they have focused Ramla Bay in their crosshairs.

Toni Farrugia, Victoria. AD Gozo