Saving Hondoq ir-Rummien
Published on www.maltastar.com on Wednesday 2nd July, 2008 by Desmond Zammit Marmara'.
The case of the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien, an ODZ (Outside Development Zone) area in Gozo, is very worrying because this is a case where the wishes of the local inhabitants of the village of Qala are being blatantly disregarded and the environment raped under the futile excuse of providing opportunities for employment for Gozitans. Furthermore, this is a prime example of unsustainable development.
The Island of Gozo is much sought after by both Maltese and foreigners because it is one of the few remaining places in Europe where one can enjoy complete tranquillity in an unspoilt environment. Hondoq ir-Rummien comprises a coastal area of magnificent open countryside as well as the beautiful Hondoq Bay which is renowned for its clean and crystalline water. All this is now threatened by a proposed development plan to build a five-star hotel with 170 beds, approximately 25 Self-Catering Villas, 60 Self-Catering Units, 200 Multi-Ownership Residences, 731 Underground Parking Spaces (with only 90 allowed for public use), 10 Retail Units, 5 Dining Facilities and a Marina accommodating between 100 to 150 vessels, depending on the size of the latter.
The proposed development will irretrievably ruin the environment in the Hondoq ir-Rummien area and create problems for the residents of Qala. An increase in the volume of land and sea traffic and related pollution problems, the defacement of the beautiful countryside, the end of tranquillity and peace in the area are among the unwelcome consequences of such a development.
Now, it has been announced that the Qala Local Council has successfully applied to the Government for a grant to finance a study to counteract what is being proposed by developers for Hondoq ir-Rummien. The Council has, in fact, been granted €10,000 for a technical study. This brings us to the crux of the argument against such unsustainable development in Gozo : the disregarding of the views of the local inhabitants, i.e. the villagers of Qala.
One must point out that 85 % of Qala residents voted against the proposed development in a referendum held in 2002. This is an important point because what we have here are the rights of local citizens being trampled upon by the high and mighty. Please don’t give me the nonsensical argument that the project is worthwhile because it will create employment opportunities. There are various other ways to create employment in Gozo without destroying the local environment and disrupting local citizens’ way of life.
It is indeed gratifying to note the efforts of Qala Labour Councillor Paul Buttigieg to safeguard the rights of the citizens of his locality. The new Labour Leader, Joseph Muscat, has also publicly declared that he is against the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien.
We have to send a clear message to all concerned that development which destroys the natural environment, including the flora and fauna of the area, and disrupts the traditional lifestyle of local villagers on the pretext of long-term benefits for the community is utterly unacceptable. The reality is that it is the developers who stand to benefit most from such projects while the social costs have to be borne by the local residents as well as present and future generations of Maltese who will be deprived of one of the few remaining oases of peace and natural beauty in the Maltese Islands.
The case of the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien, an ODZ (Outside Development Zone) area in Gozo, is very worrying because this is a case where the wishes of the local inhabitants of the village of Qala are being blatantly disregarded and the environment raped under the futile excuse of providing opportunities for employment for Gozitans. Furthermore, this is a prime example of unsustainable development.
The Island of Gozo is much sought after by both Maltese and foreigners because it is one of the few remaining places in Europe where one can enjoy complete tranquillity in an unspoilt environment. Hondoq ir-Rummien comprises a coastal area of magnificent open countryside as well as the beautiful Hondoq Bay which is renowned for its clean and crystalline water. All this is now threatened by a proposed development plan to build a five-star hotel with 170 beds, approximately 25 Self-Catering Villas, 60 Self-Catering Units, 200 Multi-Ownership Residences, 731 Underground Parking Spaces (with only 90 allowed for public use), 10 Retail Units, 5 Dining Facilities and a Marina accommodating between 100 to 150 vessels, depending on the size of the latter.
The proposed development will irretrievably ruin the environment in the Hondoq ir-Rummien area and create problems for the residents of Qala. An increase in the volume of land and sea traffic and related pollution problems, the defacement of the beautiful countryside, the end of tranquillity and peace in the area are among the unwelcome consequences of such a development.
Now, it has been announced that the Qala Local Council has successfully applied to the Government for a grant to finance a study to counteract what is being proposed by developers for Hondoq ir-Rummien. The Council has, in fact, been granted €10,000 for a technical study. This brings us to the crux of the argument against such unsustainable development in Gozo : the disregarding of the views of the local inhabitants, i.e. the villagers of Qala.
One must point out that 85 % of Qala residents voted against the proposed development in a referendum held in 2002. This is an important point because what we have here are the rights of local citizens being trampled upon by the high and mighty. Please don’t give me the nonsensical argument that the project is worthwhile because it will create employment opportunities. There are various other ways to create employment in Gozo without destroying the local environment and disrupting local citizens’ way of life.
It is indeed gratifying to note the efforts of Qala Labour Councillor Paul Buttigieg to safeguard the rights of the citizens of his locality. The new Labour Leader, Joseph Muscat, has also publicly declared that he is against the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien.
We have to send a clear message to all concerned that development which destroys the natural environment, including the flora and fauna of the area, and disrupts the traditional lifestyle of local villagers on the pretext of long-term benefits for the community is utterly unacceptable. The reality is that it is the developers who stand to benefit most from such projects while the social costs have to be borne by the local residents as well as present and future generations of Maltese who will be deprived of one of the few remaining oases of peace and natural beauty in the Maltese Islands.
posted by Hondoq at
10:21 PM
