SOS Hondoq - Media Releases

GUG: Against the Hondoq Reform –Preserving our identity

2011-11-05T15:00:00.002+01:00

Hondoq ir-Rummien is one of the most beautiful places inGozo that has, until now, remained untouched. The sea in Hondoq is one of thecleanest and clearest in Malta and Gozo and it has been attracting many locals,tourists and divers from all over the world. The Hondoq project which entailsthe construction of a yacht marina, hotels, villas, flats and bungalows isthreatening this serene place. Should MEPA let this proceed?

GUG (Grupp Universitarji Ghawdxin), a youth organisation ofGozitan students have been long wishing to express their concern regarding theHondoq reconstruction project. The implications that such a project couldresult in are numerous and will cause serious environmental damage. Damage is notonly done to the seabed, disturbing the surrounding eco system, but also affectsthe pure air that prevails in Hondoq. Apart from this, the construction of ayacht marina, hotels, villas, flats and bungalows will lead to drasticenvironmental damage as well as an increase in pollution and exhaust. Needless to say, Hondoq is also known as apopular place for divers coming from all parts of the world. Apart from thelack of divers that will be frequenting Hondoq, we will find a worryingreduction in the amount and variety of flora and fauna that may even becomeextinct. According to www.greatestdivesites.com“Hondoq reef is an easy and shallow reef which houses many morays and octopusin its cracks … currents, surge and access methods have made it a perfect divesite for starting divers”. It doesn’tneed a lot of thought to come up with the result of such a drastic change. Gozowill lose one of its most sought after, charming beaches. Once it is lost thereis no turning back.

We believe that we shouldconsider all the possible drawbacks that will arise from such an extremelydaring development. There is a lot thatcan be done without going to such extremes. NGO’s enhanced this point bymentioning: through improvingthe site by clearing the accumulated quarry debris, distillation plant andcoastal debris, and regenerating the former habitats through afforestation,recreation of the valley and improvement of the beach recreation facilities.(August 3^rd, 2011)

Many of the Qala residents and even Gozitans from other villages are very fondof this beautiful beach that has for many years remained untouched. Gozitan students strongly believe that wemust preserve our environment and our local heritage, which makes part of ouridentity. Sustainability is an importantconcept that has been brought up many times in the media and at school but inreality it’s lacking in practice. Before we take such a big step, we must firstimplement this idea of sustainability and clearly examine all implications itentails. We must consistently keep at heart the environment around us and whatmakes us who we are and different from the rest.

GUG: Kontra r-Riforma ta’ Ħondoq – Nippreservawl-identita’ tagħna

Il-GUG (GruppUniversitarji Għawdxin) oriġina fis-snin tmenin u fl-1987 ġie stabilit bħalaorganizzazzjoni għall-istudenti. Mill-bidu tiegħu, l-GUG ikkommetta ruħu lijirrappreżenta u jippromwovi l-interessi ta’ l-istudenti Għawdxi waqt il-ħajjauniversitarja tagħhom u jgħinhom f’dak kollu li ikollhom bżonn. Dan il-gruppjippromwovi t-titjib tal-istandard akkademiku u l-kwalita’ ta’ ħajjatal-istudenti Għawdxin kif ukoll jorganizza attivitajiet li jkunu jinteressawlil dawn l-istudenti.

Ħondoq ir-Rummien huwawieħed mill-isbaħ postijiet li toffri l-gżira Għawdxija, li sa issa, kien għadumhux mittiefes. Il-baħar ta’ Ħondoq hu wieħed mill-aktar nodfa u mill-aktarċari li hawn fil-gżejjer Maltin u jiġbed lejh ħafna Għawdxin, turisti kif ukollgħaddasa mill-erba’ kantunieri tad-dinja. Il-proġett ta’ Ħondoq li jinvolvil-bini ta’ yacht marina, lukandi, vilel, appartamenti u bungalows, qed jheddeddan il-post trankwil. Għandha l-MEPA tagħlaq għajnejha u tħalli dan il-proġettikompli?

Il-GUG ilhom jixtiequli jesprimu t-tħassib tagħhom dwar dan il-proġett ta’ rikonstruzzjoni ta’Ħondoq. Dan il-proġett jista’ iwassal għal diversi implikazzjonijiet lijikkawżaw ħsarat ambjentali serji. Il-ħsarat mhux biss isiru lil qiegħ il-baħar,li jwassal għal tfixkil fl-eco system tal-madwar, pero jaffettwa ukoll l-arjapura li teżisti f’Ħondoq. Apparti min din, il-konstruzzjoni ta’ yacht marina,lukandi, vilel, appartamenti u bungalows iwassal ukoll għall-ħsarat ambjentalidrastiċi kif ukoll żieda fit-tniġġis u fl-exhaust. M’hemmx għalfejn ngħidu liĦondoq huwa popolari ħafna mal-għaddasa li jiġu mid-dinja kollha. Appartimin-nuqqas ta’ għaddasa li jibdew jiffrekwentaw lil Ħondoq, se ikun hemm ukolltnaqqis inkwetanti fl-ammont u fil-varjeta’ ta’ flora u fawna li jistgħuiwasslu biex jiġu estinti. Skond www.greatestdivesites.com “Is-sikek f’Ħondoq huma baxxi u faċli ujospitaw ġewwa fihom diversi murini u qarnit fix-xquq tagħhom … il-kurrenti ul-metodi ta’ aċċess jagħmluha sit perfett għall-għaddasa li għadhom qegħdinjibdew.” Ma tantx hemm bżonn ħsieb biex tasal għar-riżultat ta’ din il-bidladrastika. Għawdex se jitlef waħda mill-aktar bajja li hija imfittxija. La darbadin tintilef, ma nistgħux nerġgħu induru lura. Kull ma jkun baqa’ huwa poplu lijixtieq li dan il-proġett qatt ma sar, poplu li jixxennaq għal dak li kellnaqabel u li jaf li Ħondoq ma jista' qatt ikun l-istess kif kien qabel.

Aħna nemmnu ligħandhom jiġu ikkunsidrati l-iżvantaġġi kollha possibli li jistgħu jinqalgħuminn dan l-iżvilupp. Jistgħu isiru diversi affarijiet mingħajr ma mmorru f’dawnl-estremitajiet. L-NGOs isaħħu dan il-punt billi jsemmu: permezz ta’ titjib fis-sit billi inaddfu l-fdalijiet akkumulati ġewwal-barrieri, impjant ta’ distillazzjoni u fdalijiet mal-kosta, u jiġġenerawl-abitat ta’ qabel billi iħawwlu siġar, bini mill-ġdid tal-wied u titjibtal-faċilitajiet tal-rikreazzjoni tal-bajja. (Awwissu 3, 2011).

Ħafna mir-residenti tal-Qala u anke Għawdxinminn irħula oħra għandhom għal qalbhom din il-bajja li għal ħafna snin baqgħetmhux mittiefsa. L-istudenti Għawdxin jemmnu li għandna nippreservaw l-ambjent ul-wirt lokali tagħna, li jagħmlu parti mill-identita’ tagħna. Is-sostenibbilta’huwa kunċett important li ġie imsemmi ħafna drabi kemm fil-media kif ukollfl-iskejjel imma fir-realta’ huwa nieqes fil-prattika. Qabel ma nieħdu danil-pass kbir, irridu l-ewwel nimplimentaw din l-idea ta’ sostenibilita’ u b’modċar neżaminaw l-implikazzjonijiet kollha li tinvolvi. Irridu nżommu f’moħħnal-ambjent ta’ madwarna u dak li jagħmilna dak li aħna u differenti mill-bqijatad-dinja.

Press Release in regards new plans excluding the marina

2011-10-30T14:27:00.006+01:00

In the face of an overwhelming outcry against the proposed Hondoq project to develop a large hotel and hundreds of real estate units around a yacht marina, the developers of Qala Creek have decided to drop the idea of the marina at Hondoq Bay, limiting themselves to a ‘swimming lagoon’.

The NGOs Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers Association, FOE Malta, Nature Trust, GUG, Din l-art helwa and Wirt Ghawdex have studied the 2009 EIS Co-ordinated Report where the developers themselves state “the project would struggle if it had to be developed as a stand-alone hotel”. They say that the project is expected to double the 5-star room capacity in Gozo, despite the current demand for five-star hotel properties in Gozo being weak.

The developers stressed the point that increased room capacity (oversupply) is of major concern to the market, and to be successful the hotel needs to be part of an integrated project with features that differentiate it from other hotels, i.e. the marina, thus “the hotel will depend on demand generated by other parts of the project”.

Interestingly, when discussing revenue projections, the 2007 version of the report stated: “The hotel on its own is not commercially viable. It can only succeed and be sustainable if it forms part of a much larger complex which will attract interest by potential patrons to reside at the hotel. The marina development could act as such an attraction.”

In the 2009 version this was modified to: “The hotel will be successful and sustainable if it forms part of a much larger complex which will attract interest by potential patrons to reside at the hotel. The marina development could act as such an attraction.”

The wording has changed, but the meaning has not. In 2009 the developers themselves did not consider the hotel was viable without the marina, therefore the NGOs fail to understand how the developers can now eliminate the marina and claim that the complex would remain financially viable, as required by the Environment Impact Assessment.

This eleventh-hour submission of new plans shows that the developers are intent on pushing through this venture in complete disregard of the social and environmental impacts of the project, ignoring the fact that the local community and also general public opinion has expressed itself against the project.

The environmental NGOs therefore urge MEPA to refuse such a project and to revert the land to its original designation as a nature park. The Qala Local Council has already looked into the various aspects of creating an environment and heritage park, a project that would draw much-needed tourists to Gozo, and support existing hotels and catering establishments.

Finally we urge readers to let MEPA know what they think of this project by signing the petition below

http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/

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Press Release dwar l-pjanti l-godda li nehhew l-jott marina

Wara l-oppożizzjoni qawwija kontra l-iżvilupp propost għal Ħondoq ir-Rummien li kien jikkonsisti f'lukanda ta' 5 stilel kif ukoll numru ta' vilel u appartamenti madwar yacht marina, l-iżviluppaturi ta' dan il-proġett qatgħuha li jerġgħu jippreżentaw pjanti ġodda li fihom ineħħu l-yacht marina u minflokha jagħmlu "swimming lagoon".

L-NGOs Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, FOE Malta, Ramblers Association, NatureTrust, GUG, Din L-Art Ħelwa u Wirt Ghawdex studjaw ir-rapport tal-EIS tal-2009 li fih l-iżviluppaturi jiddikjaraw hekk: "the project would struggle if it had to be developed as a stand-alone hotel". Huma jgħidu wkoll li dan il-proġett kien sa jirdoppja l-kmamar fil-lukandi ta' 5 stilel, minkejja l-fatt li bħalissa d-domanda għal kmamar f'lukandi ta' dan it-tip hija dgħajfa wisq.

L-iżviluppaturi jisħqu li huwa ta' tħassib li jkollok kmamar żejda iktar mid-domanda u għalhekk biex lukanda jkollha suċċess trid tagħmel parti integrali minn proġett imdawwar bi bżonnijiet bħal yacht marina, restaurants eċċ li jagħmluha differenti minn lukandi oħra: " the hotel will depend on demand generated by other parts of the project".

Interessanti l-fatt li meta jiġi biex jiddiskuti d-dħul finanzjarju minn dal-proġett, ir-rapport tal-2007 jgħid: " The hotel on its own is not commercially viable. It can only succeed and be sustainable if it forms part of a much larger complex which will attract interest by potential patrons to reside at the hotel. The marina development could act as such an attraction".

Mill-banda l-oħra fir-rapport tat-2009 din ġiet mibdula hekk: "The hotel will be successful and sustainable if it forms part of a much larger complex which will attract interest by potential patrons to reside at the hotel. The Marina development could act as such an attraction". Minn hawn jidher ċar li l-kliem ġie mibdul iżda t-tifsira baqgħet l-istess. Fl-2009 l-iżviluppaturi nfushom ma qisux il-lukanda vijabbli mingħajr il-marina. Għalhekk l-NGOs ma tistax tgħaddilhom minn moħħhom kif issa l-iżviluppaturi sa jeliminaw il-marina u xorta jsostnu li l-kumpless jibqa' sostenibbli finanzjarjament kif miktub fl-Environment Impact Assessment. Il-ħruġ ta' pjanti ġodda juri biċ-ċar li l-iżviluppaturi għandhom f'moħħhom li jkomplu jagħfsu fuq dan ir-riskju kummerċjali mingħajr ma jagħtu kas tal-impatt soċjali li se jħalli dan il-proġett, minkejja l-fatt li kemm il-kommunita tal-Qala kif ukoll il-pubbliku in ġenerali wrew bil-qawwa kollha li huma kontra dan il-proġett.

Għaldaqstant l-NGOs ambjentalisti jitolbu lill-MEPA biex tirrifjuta dan il-proġett u treġġgħu lura għall-pjan oriġinali ta' 'nature park'. Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Qala diġa ra l-aspetti kollha kif għandu jkun park naturali. Dan il-proġett għandu jiġbed lejh dawk it-turisti li tant għandu bżonn Għawdex. B'hekk ikun ta' għajnuna għal-lukandi u għall-istabilimenti ta' l-ikel.

Fl-ahharnett inheggu lill-qarrejja sabiex juru lill-MEPA x`jahsbu dwar dan il-projett billi jidhlu f`dan is-sit elettroniku

http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/

Hondoq Press Release re Transport Malta

2011-09-17T17:47:00.000+02:00

Moviment Harsien Hondoq together with Qala Local Council, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers Association, Nature Trust, Din L-Art Helwa, FOE Malta, Wirt Ghawdex, Greenhouse Malta, Ghaqda Universita Ghawdxin and Youth for the Environment welcome Transport Malta’s recent recommendation that MEPA should refuse the proposed alternative route to service the application for the building of a yacht marina, hotel and 250 flats and villas at Hondoq ir-Rummien. Common sense has prevailed.

It is indeed heartening to note that just as the Environment Directorate found the EIA biased in favour of the project, Transport Malta also concluded that there are serious shortcomings in the Traffic Impact Statement.

Firstly the traffic count was flawed by way of the location where it was carried out, far out of the Qala village core: in reality the project will generate unacceptable additional traffic in the centre of Qala.

Secondly the proposed traffic scheme for the project was not adequate. This is obvious considering that the objective of TM is “to provide an effective regulatory framework for land transport with road safety as a top priority, whilst at the same time promoting socio-economic development and protection of the environment.”

Moviment Harsien Hondoq and the eNGOs find it hard to imagine that the MEPA Board would ignore the expert advice of these two authorities, specialists in their respective fields, both of whom have recommended a refusal of this project.

The NGOs wish to thank the encouraging numbers who have been supporting the Hondoq cause and also signed up the petition. They ask those who have not yet signed it, to do so without delay at: http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/ in order to express themsleves in favour of Gozo’s natural environment.

Moviment Harsien Hondoq

Our aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone - Save Hondoq

2008-06-11T12:51:00.000+02:00

Moviment Harsien Hondoq (The Save Hondoq Movement) welcomes with satisfaction the grant of ten thousand Euros allotted to the Qala Local Council, from the central government for the analytical and technical study of the proposed project of Hondoq ir-Rummien in regards to the environmental impact. This shows that the government is conscious of the negative impact such a project will leave on the area.

This grant was acquired through the work of the Qala Local Council, with the continuous insistence of Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghall-Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) and various environmental NGO’s.

The movement doesn’t understand how, with a pen`s stroke, without any consultation, the local plan for the Hondoq area was changed from an Outside Development Zone (ODZ) to a development zone. The concerned authority is being asked to revise the decision that was taken in 2006 and give Hondoq the status it once had.

The movement’s aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone.

The protests against the project at Hondoq ir-Rummien are justified and deserve backing - Dr. Alfred Sant.

2006-10-25T19:01:00.000+02:00

The protests which are being held against he project comprising villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien,Qala, Gozo, not only are justified, but they deserve the backing of all the Maltese and Gozitan people. This was said, this morning, by the Leader of the Labour Party Dr. Alfred Sant, in a press conference ont he spot, where the project is being proposed, and after, moments before, he met a number of residents and families from the village of Qala, Gozo.

Dr. Sant said that the Nationalist government is proposing a project of villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien. The Leader of the Malta Labour Party saidm that from the meetings he had with the residents of Qala, it emerges out that the complaints that are being held against this project are justified, valid and strong complaints.

A visit on the spot where this project is being proposed, said Dr. Sant, clearly confirms that this project should not be accomplished becasue it amounts into a harsh speculation of the area which is one of the most beautiful in Malta and Gozo. This place abounds in a large potentiality for tourism and offers rest and a better life for all the Gozitans, Maltese and tourists.

Thus, emphasised Dr. Sant, the project which is being proposed amounts into an exploitation of a priceless land and a speculation on its value, when the villas and the apartments are built. The aim of this project is nothing more than this land be used so that certain people make large amounts of money.

Dr. Sant said the development being proposed at Hondoq ir-Rummien neither is the development Qala and Gozo need, nor the way to generate work. The leader of the Malta Labour party said that it is not true that the project as it is being proposed leads for long sustainable jobs in Gozo.

Amongst the Qala residents with whom the Leader of the Malta Labour party met before the press conference, was Paul Buttigieg, an activist against the project of Hondoq ir-Rummien and Fr. Lawrence Theuma. Both of them explained in detail, to Dr. Sant their objections versus the project. Foreign residents residing in Qala were also present at the press conference.

On behalf of the malta Labour Party, for the press conference, were present the Deputy leader Dr. Michael Falzon, the Secretary General Jason Micallef, the Gozitan M. P. s Anton Refalo and Justyne Caruana, the spokesperson for the ambient Roderick Galdes, the Qala Labour councillers Anthony Camilleri and Ivan Falzon, the Labour candidate Joe Cordina and officials of the Labour District Committee for Gozo.

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

2006-10-18T19:09:00.000+02:00

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 dal-ghodu l-Mexxej Laburista Dr 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.

Dr 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 Dr 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 imprezzabli u ghal spekulazzjoni fuq il-valur taghha meta jinbnew il-vilel u l-appartamenti. Il-mutur wara dal-progett mhu xejn hief li l-art tintuza biex certi nies jaghmlu profitti kbar.

Dr Sant qal li l-izvilupp 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 jitqanaqal 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’ Dr Sant l-oggezzjonijiet taghhom ghall-progett. Prezenti ghall-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet kien hemm anki residenti barranin li jghixu fil-Qala.

Minn naha tal-Partit Laburista ghall-konferenza ta’ l-ahbarijiet attendew ukoll id-deputat Mexxej Dr 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.

Alternattiva Demokratika's Position on Hondoq ir-Rummien Project

2006-09-24T14:32:00.000+02:00

Officials from Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party (AD) Executive Committee and AD Gozo Regional Committee headed by Dr Harry Vassallo met with members of the Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq in Qala, Gozo to discuss the application for a major development complex and marina at Ħondoq ir-Rummien and re-stated their position against the Qala Creek proposed speculation.

"The re-emergence of the marina proposal after four years of silence should not be taken as a surprise," Dr Vassallo said. "Nor should residents opposing this development be disheartened by the fact that their referendum giving an 85% majority of the population against the development appears not to have been given sufficient weight. The referendum result is a clear fact that will have to be given due weight in any final decision," Dr Vassallo said.

Dr Vassallo explained that nobody should be deceived by promises of new employment opportunities resulting from this project as no detailed breakdown of the job opportunities which could result by this project in the short, medium and long term is provided in the Project Description Statement. What Gozo needs is sustainable development that will differenciate the island of Gozo from Malta. Projects for specific tourist niches which have long been identified should be implemented without any further delay. Much more could be done to attract foreigners to settle in Gozo which would result in economic benefits for many Gozitans. Such megaprojects like Ħondoq will kill these possible job opportunities and destroy the distinct character of Gozo forever With reference to the current context, whereby the major hotels in Gozo, such as the Mgarr Hotel, the Andar Hotel, the Atlantis Hotel, and others, have ceased to operate as hotels since this situation was being considered as not sustainable, resulting in the loss of job opportunities. Dr Vassallo asked if any audit and feasibility studies have been carried out to justify the need for 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 of which are to be allowed for public use), 10 shops, 5 restaurants and a marina for between 100 to 150 crafts.

"What must be made clear at this stage is that the application process still has a very long way to go and all those who recognize the inappropriateness of the development must be prepared for the long haul," Dr Vassallo said. "Qala residents and all interested parties are due a clear explanation and Alternattiva Demokratika is committed to giving it to them. The planning process is often complex and unclear especially with regard to major development, however everybody can be made to understand what the situation is at present and we will provide the information residents need."

Dr Vassallo thanked the Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq campaigners for their commitment and support in this common cause. "It is essential that residents and all who value the public beach at Ħondoq take heart once more and realize that their work is not yet over. The Gozo Regional Committee of Alternattiva Demokratika has been following developments closely and will be able to respond to residents queries by holding an information meeting in the village in the coming days. It is time for the 85% of Qala residents to make its presence felt once more and to remind the developers that they will not be ignored," Dr Vassallo concluded.

Carmel Hili - Communications Coordinator
Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party
Tel: 21314040 / 21314039 / 21314037 Fax: 21314046
E-mail: info@alternattiva.org.mt & gozo@alternattiva.org.mt
Websites: www.alternattiva.org.mt & www.adgozo.com

MLP Media Release

2006-09-24T12:18:00.000+02:00

MEDIA RELEASE
18 TA’ AWISSU 2006

Stqarrija mahruga mid-Deputati Laburisti L-Avukat Joe Brincat, Kelliem Ewlieni ghall-Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali, mid-Deputat Roderick Galdes, Kelliem ghall-Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali u mid-Deputat l-Avukat Anton Refalo, Kelliem Ewlieni ghar-Regjun ta’ Ghawdex

Zvilupp tal-Hondoq fil-Qala Ghawdex

Qed nesprimu t-thassib serju taghna ghall-proposta ta’ zvilupp ta’ l-inhawi maghrufa bhala Hondoq ir-Rummien qrib il-Qala gewwa Ghawdex. Minn aspett ambjentali din il-il-proposta kif imressqa quddiem il-MEPA tmur kontra l-principji ta' zvillup sostennibli.

Ma jaghmilx sens li medda ta’ art daqstant kbira u tant qrib il-bajja popolari ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien ghandha tinghata ghal zvilupp massiv u intensiv kif qed ikun propost. L-approvazzjoni ta’ dan il-progett jista’ jfisser li l-bajja ta’ Hondoq tkun qed titpogga f’riskju serju, kemm fil-rigward ta’ l-ezistenza fizika taghha stess kif ukoll meta wiehed iqis id-dritt tal-pubbliku li jkollu kull access ghall-bajja u l-inhawi ta’ madwarha.

Aktar minn hekk, f’kuntest ta’ sostenibbilta’, ma jaghmilx sens li Ghawdex jinghata daqqa ta’ harta ohra tant kbira ghal dak li ghandu x’jaqsam mal-harsien ta’ l-ambjent naturali tieghu. Bilfors li wiehed m'ghandux jinsa l-impatt negattiv li dan il-progett ihalli fuq il-hajja tar-residenti tal-Qala, bit-traffiku li jigi generat, kemm waqt it-twettiq tal-progett u kemm wara.
Filwaqt li nemmnu li ghandu jsir kull sforz sabiex l-inhawi ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien ikunu mharsa tajjeb anke permezz ta’ progetti ta’ rijabilitazzjoni, jibqa’ l-fatt li dan m’ghandux jimplika t-tip ta’ izvilupp massiv kif qed ikun propost bhalissa.

B’dispjacir ninnotaw ukoll li kull meta jitfacca xi progett ta’ zvilupp pjuttost kontroversjali qed johrog fil-berah kemm il-pubbliku mhux jinghata spazju u zmien bizzejjed sabiex jesprimi l-opinjoni tieghu f’atmosfera ta’ konsultazzjoni xierqa u mill-aktar wiesgha.

Xi zmien ilu n-nies tal-Qala kienu diga’ esprimew id-dizapprovazzjoni taghhom ghal dan il-progett partikolari. Ma nistghux nifmhu kif, minkejja dan, il-Gvern donnu jaghzel li jibqa’ passiv u jinjora l-preokkupazzjonijiet tal-pubbliku, filwaqt li juza’ l-MEPA bhala paraventu skond ic-cirkustanzi.

Progett bhal dan f'area sensittivi ghall-ambjent naturali ta' dawn il-gzejjer bl-ebda mod ma’ huwa idoneju ghall-inhawi ta’ Hondoq ir-Rummien u lanqas huwa konformi mal-htigijiet ta’ zvilupp sostenibbli li Ghawdex tant jehtieg.

Fl-isfond tal-Pjani tal-Partit Laburista ghall-Ambjent u r-Regjun t'Ghawdex nemmnu li l-karatteristici naturali tal-gzira Ghawdxija ghandhom ikunu mharsa u gawduti minn kulhadd u mhux ikunu sagrifikati ghall-skopijiet ta’ spekulazzjoni.

Dr Joe Brincat
Kelliem Ewlieni ghall-
Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali

Roderick Galdes
Kelliem ghall-Ambjent u l-Patrimonju Nazzjonali

Dr Anton Refalo
Kelliem Ewlieni ghar-Regjun ta’ Ghawdex