Malta’s tourism policy and Hondoq

Published on the Times of Malta on Sunday 27th January, 2013 by Jane Carr. 

The 2012-2016 Tourism Policy (also referred to as a plan/programme or PP) has to go through a procedure called a ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment’ (SEA) screening. The outcome of this screening was that “An SEA is not required because the PP is unlikely to have significant environmental effects” and was signed off by Peter Portelli (Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment) in 2012.

In the document itself it states in reply to the question “Is the PP likely to have a significant effect on the environment” it says “No”. This is followed by “the policy itself is embedded on a critical trust which relates to the idea that long-term sustainable tourism cannot and should not destroy the assets that compose the tourism offer and which attracts tourists to Malta and Gozo in the first place. It is in our interest to safeguard the natural, marine and human environment and not to allow speculation”.

The building of a hotel and a tourist village at Hondoq would be allowing both the destruction of assets which attract the tourist in the first place, and speculation – and goes directly against the Government’s own Tourism Policy for 2012-2016.

Whichever party wins the election, they should abide by the Tourism Policy established for 2012-2016 – a policy based on ‘critical trust’.

To view the comments, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130127/letters/Malta-s-tourism-policy-and-Hondoq.454943

Qala Creek defies Malta's tourism policy

Published on the Malta Independent on Sunday 27th January, 2012 by Jane Carr. 

The 2012-2016 Tourism Policy (also referred to as a plan/programme or PP) had to go through a procedure called a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening. The outcome of this screening was that “An SEA is not required because the PP is unlikely to have significant environmental effects” and was signed off by Peter Portelli (Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment) in 2012.

In its reply to the question: “Is the PP likely to have a significant effect on the environment”, the document itself says: “No”. This is followed by “the policy itself is embedded on a critical trust which relates to the idea that long-term sustainable tourism cannot and should not destroy the assets that compose the tourism offer and which attracts tourists to Malta and Gozo in the first place. It is in our interest to safeguard the natural, marine and human environment and not to allow speculation”.

The building of a hotel and a tourist village at Hondoq would be allowing both the destruction of assets that attract the tourist in the first place, and speculation – and goes directly against the government's own Tourism Policy for 2012-2016.

Whichever party wins the election should abide by the Tourism Policy established for 2012-2016 – a policy based on “critical trust”.

To view the comments, go to http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-01-27/letters/qala-creek-defies-maltas-tourism-policy-756252674/

Further to my letter of December the 4th 2012 – Jane Carr

Published on www.gozonews.com on 22nd December, 2012 by Jane Carr, 

Further to my letter published on the 4th of December 2012, entitled ‘Mayor should be clearly against development at Hondoq.’ I had no intention of harming the Mayor’s reputation and have been assured that the Mayor has no connection, professional or otherwise with the developers. I apologise for any unintended damage to his reputation.

The Mayor has also assured me that the Council is “against any unsustainable and speculative project and will only change its stance if, say, a huge garden or a park or an integrated green community area is proposed and is beneficial to the community.”

Jane Carr

Qala

To view the comments, go to http://gozonews.com/26719/further-to-my-letter-of-december-the-4th-2012-jane-carr/

TV debate

Published on the Times of Malta on 13th January, 2013 by Leslie Causon.

During the recent debate on national television between the deputy leaders of the two main parties pledges were made about transparency and delivering any promises made. They also declared that it was not their intention to promise things they couldn’t deliver.

Strong comments indeed and in the spirit of these declarations I would like to ask both parties for their position on the massive development proposal at Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Qala.

Mepa has postponed its decision on the matter until after the election. The voting public, especially the majority of residents who voted against the project in the referendum organised by the local council would like to have clear honest answers.

To view the comments, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130113/letters/TV-debate.452997

Labour should come clean on Ħondoq ir-Rummien plans

Published on the 11th January, 2013 by James A. Tyyrrell.

You would think that with an election coming up the Labour Party would want to make their position clear on issues of concern with the voters, but this is not the case in Qala. The people have been calling on the mayor to make his position clear regarding the proposed marina development at Ħondoq ir-Rummien, but he seems to prefer to wrap his answers up in doublespeak.

When someone refuses to speak plainly, it rightly or wrongly gives the impression that they are hiding something, and the impression being given by the mayor at the moment is that he wants to make it sound as if Labour are opposed to the marina proposal in order to retain votes but that they are actually open to suggestions and may back it.

It also appears that people writing on the subject have been threatened in some way and if that is the case it needs to be looked into further. Who exactly is applying pressure to people to retract their words, and what is it they are afraid of?

It has been suggested that the mayor is concerned about his reputation but the position of mayor does not automatically come with a good reputation; like respect, it is something that needs to be earned. He has also stated that he has no connection, professional or otherwise, with the developers. Yet he is Labour’s representative in Qala and as such would be the first port of call for the developers to discuss their proposals for the area.

So, I again ask the mayor: what is Labours position regarding the proposal of a marina development at Ħondoq, with its associated hotel, restaurant, holiday villas, etc.?

Qala residents are looking for an answer along the lines of “The Labour Party are 100 per cent opposed to any unsustainable and speculative development at Ħondoq, whether as a marina or a swimming lagoon, and will not change that stance no matter what else is proposed in conjunction with it. The people can be assured therefore that Labour backing for such a project will never be forthcoming.” That’s all the people want to hear and see in writing.

To view the comments, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130111/letters/Labour-should-come-clean-on-ondoq-ir-Rummien-plans.452767

“Mayor should be clearly against development at Hondoq”

Published  on www.gozonews.com on 4th Decemer, 2012 by Jane Carr. 

Readers Letter – “One of the biggest issues overhanging the people of Qala is that of the proposed development at Hondoq. Surely this poses a conflict of interest for the Mayor as a newly qualified architect?

“As someone who is just starting off on their career, there must be very strong reservations about going head to head with powerful developers who have powerful backing?

“I specifically asked the Mayor back in June about Labour’s 2012 Election Programme for Qala which says ‘the Labour Party remain consistent against the development as proposed’ and what this actually meant. Did it mean that if the developers were to change the proposal a bit, they would no longer be against the project?

“He refused to be drawn on this – saying only that he was against the proposal as it stood – but was not able to comment on his position were any changes to be made.

“Surely as the elected representative of the Qala people, he should take note of the fact that 85% of the residents voted against the development at Hondoq – therefore his stance, as Mayor, should also be clearly against the development at Hondoq (whether or not the proposal is modified)?

“The subject of where the Labour Party stands on Hondoq was also raised in my letter to the Times in June (www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120616/letters/Joseph-Muscat-and-ondoq.424477) and came up in the comments following October’s article in Gozonews concerning the Hondoq Appeal (gozonews.com/25622/hondoq-appeal-to-be-heard-by-the-mepa-board-in-may-2013/).

“So, can the Labour Party, on a local or national level, state clearly where they stand on the proposed development at Hondoq (whether or not the developers make modifications to their proposal)?”

Jane Carr,

Gozo.

To view the comments, go to http://gozonews.com/26409/mayor-should-be-clearly-against-development-at-hondoq/

Proposed development in Gozo

Published on the Times of Malta on the 3rd December, 2012 by Jane Carr. 

One of the biggest issues facing the people of Qala is that of the proposed development at Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

I specifically asked the mayor, who has now qualified as an architect, back in June about Labour’s 2012 election programme for Qala, which says: “the Labour Party remain consistent against the development as proposed” and what this actually meant. Did it mean that if the developers were to change the proposal a bit they would no longer be against the project?

He refused to be drawn into this – saying only that he was against the proposal as it stood – but was not able to comment on his position were any changes to be made.

Surely, as the elected representative of the Qala people, he should take note of the fact that 85 per cent of the residents voted against the development at Ħondoq. Therefore his stance, as mayor, should also be clearly against it (whether or not the proposal is modified)?

The subject of where the Labour Party stands on Ħondoq was also raised in my letter to The Times (June 16) and came up in the comments following October’s article in Gozo News concerning the Ħondoq appeal.

So, can the Labour Party, on a local or national level, state clearly where it stands on the proposed development at Ħondoq (whether or not the developers make modifications to their proposal)?

To view the whole article, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121203/letters/Proposed-development-in-Gozo.447940

‘Stop the stream of fireworks in Qala’

Published on the Times of Malta on 13th November, 2012.

The Qala council is no longer willing to tolerate the danger posed by fireworks shipped from Malta to Gozo passing through the village, mayor Clint Camilleri said yesterday.

It was the duty of legislators to ensure there were clear regulations in place on the safe transportation of fireworks.“This situation has to be remedied by the authorities and should not fall on deaf ears again,” he said in a statement .

At the moment it is a “free for all”, he elaborated when contacted.

The Sunday Times reported that fireworks were being transported through villages with active igniters.

There is the risk that these can be triggered by accidental impact or through electromagnetic interference coming from high voltage cables, strong radio transmitters and even mobile phones.

Yesterday, Mr Camilleri said the council had received a number of complaints from residents regarding the large amounts of fireworks being transported through the village. All fireworks were unloaded at Ħondoq Ir-Rummien, which is a popular beach.

While the council does not object to fireworks being unloaded at Ħondoq for the Qala feast, it can no longer tolerate a situation where all the fireworks destined for Gozitan villages passed through the village, he said.

Two years ago the council had flagged this concern with the commission set up by the Government in 2011 to carry out a comprehensive review of fireworks accidents in the past 30 years.

The commission made a series of recommendations, which have not been implemented to date.

The mayor’s words echoed those of his deputy, Paul Buttigieg, who on Sunday said authorities should call an urgent meeting with the police and fireworks manufacturers to investigate the allegations that fireworks were transported with active igniters.

Questions sent to the police – asking if they were considering issuing permits to unload fireworks at different points in Gozo – remained unanswered by the time of going to print.

To view the comments, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121113/local/-Stop-the-stream-of-fireworks-in-Qala-.445139

Council seeks urgent probe over fireworks fears

Published on the Times of Malta on 12th November, 2012 by Claudia Calleja. 

Updated - Qala Council expressed concern today over the transport of fireworks through the village after it is unloaded from boats at Hondoq ir-Rummien.

It noted that fireworks were unloaded at a time when the bay was full of people, and then driven through the village.

It said that while it did not object to fireworks used in Qala being unloaded on the quay in Qala itself, it objected to have this practice for every feast in Gozo,

Yesterday, Paul Buttigieg, Qala deputy mayor, also called for an urgent investigation into the “alarming allegation” that the fireworks  they could be ignited accidentally during transport.

The Sunday Times reported yesterday that the fireworks trade was increasingly turning away from the traditional method of lighting petards with fuses in favour of electronic initiators or electric matches.“The authorities should call an urgent meeting with the police and fireworks manufacturers to investigate these allegations,” Paul Buttigieg said, adding that he was extremely concerned.

There is the possibility that these could be triggered by accidental impact as the fireworks are carried through the streets on trucks, or even through electromagnetic interference from high voltage cables, strong radio transmitters or even mobile phones.

Safety practice dictates that the initiator should only be attached immediately before detonation but local fireworks enthusiasts often introduce these triggers while building the petards or before leaving the factory.

This issue had been flagged up in a report by the Vella Commission, which in 2011 carried out a comprehensive review of fireworks accidents of the past 30 years and made a series of recommendations, which have so far not been implemented.

When contacted yesterday Mr Buttigieg said he would be raising the issue during the next council meeting. The council, he said, was already looking into what measures it could take to control the amount of fireworks passing through the Gozitan village.

Two years ago he recommended having more drop-off points where fireworks transported by sea from Malta could be offloaded. This would mean smaller quantities of explosives being carried through villages at one time.

He said measures were needed to ensure that fireworks, currently transported in trucks, were carried in safe containers. It is not only fireworks destined for Gozo that are transported in large quantities, often exceeding one ton, but also those set to be let off from barges in the Grand Harbour or in the Sliema/St Julian’s area.

Joe Morana, from the Sliema Residents’ Association, said it was the first he had heard of this hazard and was “very concerned”.

He said he would raise the issue during the next committee meeting to ensure it was looked into.

“The authorities must ensure there is no risk to residents and that fireworks are transported according to safety regulations,” he said.

“I like fireworks but I think we are paying too high a price in terms of human lives for a bit of entertainment. I am ready to live without fireworks if it means saving lives,” he said referring to last week’s explosion at the Għarb fireworks factory when four people were killed.

To view the whole article, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121112/local/Call-for-urgent-probe-over-fireworks-fears.444974

Fireworks transport fears

Published on the Times of Malta on 11th November, 2012 by Mark Micallef.

Fireworks transported through Malta’s streets could be ignited accidentally by an electromagnetic signal from electricity cables in the streets or even mobile phones, The Sunday Times has learnt.

These are susceptible to being triggered by accidental impact or through electromagnetic interference coming from high voltage cables, strong radio transmitters and even mobile phones.The fireworks trade in Malta is increasingly turning away from the traditional method of lighting petards with fuses (usually a piece of string coated with a flammable material, which is lit with a match or lighter) in favour of electronic initiators or electric matches.

The technology is comparable to that used in conventional explosives by the military or quarrying companies.

But while in these cases safety practice dictates that the initiator should only be attached immediately before detonation, local fireworks enthusiasts often introduce these triggers while building petards or before leaving the factory with them.

“They are practically building their fireworks around the igniters. This means the minute this device is placed inside the petard, the explosive is armed and susceptible to accidental triggering... it means that a fault in the device or an electromagnetic field could potentially trigger a blast,” an explosives expert with intimate knowledge of the industry told The Sunday Times.

The practice raises the spectre of an explosion during transportation, particularly in urban areas, where electromagnetic fields are more likely.

Fireworks destined for Gozo from Malta or to be let off from barges in Grand Harbour or the Sliema/St Julian’s area are usually transported in large quantities, often exceeding one ton, in the midst of dense urban areas.

The issue had been flagged in a report by the Vella Commission, which in 2011 carried out a comprehensive review of fireworks accidents of the past 30 years and made a series of recommendations, which have not been implemented to date.

The document reported anecdotal evidence about the practice of arming fireworks early and recommended it should stop immediately, describing it as “an accident waiting to happen”.

Sources have confirmed to The Sunday Times that the practice is widespread and growing, particularly since elaborate fireworks displays, those synchronised to music and even those launched from barges could not realistically happen without the remote control offered by the igniters.

The transition to these igniters also happens to be a safer option for enthusiasts, who, with traditional fuses, have to light up petards by hand and then quite literally run away before the petard launches.

Godfrey Farrugia, a pyro-technician, confirmed the practice to arm the petards before they leave the factory.

However, he said that placing the triggers at the factory was actually safer than carrying out the “laborious, mind-boggling” process onsite, often in the middle of a field.

He also said that enthusiasts disabled initiators by unplugging the supply wires from the batteries and tying them together, a process called shunting.

However, the Vella report pointed out that scientific literature is not conclusive on whether this procedure is enough to avoid the risk of accidental triggering.

Moreover, explosives experts insist the practice does not eliminate the risk, particularly if the shunting is not done properly, in the case of malfunction or if the igniters are of inferior quality. On this point, Dr Farrugia admitted there is currently nothing regulating the quality of igniters (which can be bought by anybody over the internet) being used enthusiasts.

“I believe there needs to be a standardisation of igniters. Only good quality igniters should be on the market. If there is regulation, nobody will be able to buy online.”

The chairman of the 2011 commission, Prof. Alfred Vella, said the issue of igniters is one of the least talked about in the industry, pointing out there is hardly any regulation on the transportation of fireworks.

“It’s an issue which is beyond my expertise in chemistry. But the military, the world over, absolutely does not accept this practice.

“So if that is the military practice, am I going to be a cowboy and ignore it?” Prof. Vella said.

He said the commission’s own probing in this area often elicited a strong reaction, and enthusiasts described such a concern as an overreaction.

“They often insist there has never been a problem and it’s true. One of the problems is that there is no data on this, particularly locally.

“There hasn’t been a problem so far but do we want to wait for a problem to happen and then say, what have we done?”

In Qala, concerns have been raised by deputy mayor Paul Buttigieg, who complained that the bulk of fireworks destined for Gozo passed through his village after landing in Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

To view the photo and comments, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121111/local/Fireworks-transport-fears.444797