NGOs ask about transfer of land at Hondoq
(Adds Lands Department reaction)
Eight environmental organisations have asked to be informed as to whether any requests for transfer of land at Hondoq Bay have been received by the Lands Department.
Moviment Harsien Hondoq, FAA, Ramblers, Nature Trust, Wirt Ghawdex, FoE Malta, Din l-Art Helwa and GUG said in a statement that Hondoq ir-Rummien's planning history began with the 1969 expropriation of Hondoq Quarry including the site of the Reverse Osmosis plant, to provide stone for the Mgarr breakwater.
In 1988, Gozo Prestige Holidays entered into a 'promise of sale' with the previous owners, the Augustinian Brothers, depending on full development permits being acquired.
That same year Qala council applied to convert the area into a national park, but the permit fees required by Mepa did not make this feasible at the time.
In June 2002, the land was returned to the Augustinian Brothers, excluding the site of the reverse osmosis plant.
In July that year, developers put in an application for the Qala Creek Project, despite the area's ODZ status, and the fact that the proposal violated the draft local plan published in June 2002, agreed upon by Qala council and Mepa. This stated: "The preferred use is to reclaim the area either for agricultural use or afforestation."
The organisations said that the slightly modified Qala Creek development project was again presented to Mepa in January 2006, but it was still contrary to the draft local plan and ODZ status.
However, these issues were 'resolved' when the final local plan was published in August that year.
This had been changed without the knowledge or approval of Qala council or the public, and now stated: "The preferred use is to sensitively develop the area. Tourism and marine related development may be considered by Mepa."
The organisations said that Mepa's Environment Protection Directorate took three years to get a non-biased EIS of acceptable quality from the developers, until finally a "barely certifiable version" was received. Subsequently the EPD recommended the project's refusal in mid-2011.
But before the Mepa board could give its final decision on the project, the developers withdrew the original proposal, and suggested a new one in late 2011, replacing the marina with a swimming lagoon, despite the developers previous insistence that the marina was essential to the project's success.
This proposal went beyond the footprint of the original application, hence Mepa requested that the developers submit a totally new application. The developers appealed and the process is ongoing.
The additional footprint is the land with the reverse osmosis plant, which is still government-owned. The developers want to demolish the plant and replace it with a public car park. In doing so, they gain extra space within the original project area, the organisations said.
They said that in accordance with the Development Planning Act, the Hondoq Creek developers notified the Land Department of their intentions.
The organisations insisted on an urgent public reply from the Lands Department as to whether any requests for the transfer of this land had been received.
They asked the authorities to clearly state their stand on this transfer and on the proposed development.
The organisations said they felt very strongly about the site being handed over for speculative purposes.
LANDS DEPARTMENT REACTION
In a reaction, the Lands Department said it was not aware of any request for transfer of Land at Hondoq.
However, the required check will be made and a reply will be given in the coming days.
A spokesman said that the NGOs should have first submitted their request on a weekday so that it could be answered.
Today, 14:29
@Kleaven Maniscalco
Don`t give me this (Sorry but such information is sensitive ) answer, Then ask your former employer to publish them if he has got nothing to hide,We want to know who is telling the truth .COMPRENDI
Everyone knows why nobody trusts all those promises that always tend to surface before an application is approved
H
ALISON BAGLEY
Today, 01:39
Where does the buck stop regarding ODZs? If an area is declared an ODZ then that's what it is today, tomorrow, next week, month, year. Once declared so it MUST BE protected & NOT developed.
Someone must be held accountable for upholding the law, can't think of anyone better than that nice honest & open Mr. Gonzi.
Well how about it Lawrence, are you going to go back on your word or will you stand up & do the right thing because, ultimately, the buck stops with you.
ALISON BAGLEY
Today, 01:11
If land is stated to be ODZ one day then surely it remains ODZ the next day, next week, next month, next year etc etc or is the Government going to sell us up the river?
Mr Gonzi needs to be held accountable for upholding the law & protection of all ODZs.
Angelo Xerri
Yesterday, 21:22
From Angelo Xerri.
The distiller plant was a desaster for Hondoq and the area because reject and very hot water was returned into the sea. Because of this the water temp; was up and made the bay like a hot tub effect. Some people used to get skin infections, and all the sea grass, urchins and many other marine animals disappeard from this coast and only now after many years that is recovering. Anyway returning to Qala Creek Project. In 2002 Qala Council held a referendum about the project, approved by this government were 85% of Qala residents voted against this project. This is when this project should have been scraped. On the other hand 8 years later Mepa held a hearing about it. In this hearing Mepa and the Developer even after they brought their frieds from Malta with them they got the same message and more, that the people of Qala dont want this project period. Can somebody from the authorities or anybody explain why this referendum is ignored and other referendums like that of the EU and devorce were approved ? Is this fare for the residents of Qala or democracy as far as that goes.This bay is loved by many people from Gozo, Malta, and outside these Islands the way it is.
Kleaven Maniscalco
Yesterday, 21:03
These organisations misinterpreted the facts. Half of what is said above is severe bending of facts.
C Galea
Yesterday, 22:17
Severe bending of what??
Few questions to answer
Did they apply to built on Gov land??
Did they intend to use part ofthe area to built a tiny car park so the big car park will be moved to make way for the promised Swimming Lagoon / Yacht Marina ,Later
It looks like this press release that all these Ngo`s have here is telling us what we will be up to should the Hondoq permit goes ahead .
NGO`S Watch out for us we need Hondoq
Kleaven Maniscalco
Today, 02:10
Sorry but such information is sensitive and i am bou
nd by professional trust not to give it. All I can say is that your speculations are unfounded and they go at a tangent from the truth. All I can tell you is that no the carpark was not shifted to make way for the lagoon. It is more simple then that and involves no corruption at all.
Christian Sciberras
Yesterday, 20:03
WOW!
It would take an INCREDIBLE EFFORT for MEPA to have its own ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER system.
I mean, it's BLEEDING EDGE TECHNOLOGY, it must cost MILLIONS!!
SMART (friggin) ISLAND!
Lino Busuttil
Yesterday, 18:25
B. Storace
Today, 13:38
It seems that MEPA does not have the guts, the will or the inclination to put their foot down once and for all and state that ODZ land is just that. To hell with developers and speculators at the expense of the man in the street. Listen to us and stop fattening your bank accounts.......
LIKE :)
ALISON BAGLEY
Today, 01:44
Bravo!
D. A . Agius
Yesterday, 18:21
WHAT? The land in question is owned by the Augustinian Brothers?
The Church's environment commissions therefore have no say about this?
If the project goes ahead, apart from the developers, will these Augustinian Brothers become super-rich?
Edward Mallia
Yesterday, 16:36
@ Vincent Gauci: The Hondoq plant was a flash distiller, getting potable water by heating brackish or seawater to about 60C and then getting it to boil explosively by lowering the pressure inside the heating vessel. The place is connected by pipeline to Cirkewwa as in the bad old days when Malta was short of water Gozo used to chip in with a contribution through the Hondoq pipeline. I think the boot is now on the other foot -- the Cirkewwa Reverse Osmosis sends water to Gozo when required. Gozo has a polishing (low energy RO) plant these days, fed with borehole water. But two thirds of the feed ends up as reject water which is dumped backinto the sea. Which is why occasional helf from the other Republic is required.
Charles Sammut. (NY)
Yesterday, 14:40
Only solution to this on going madness is for an area to be declared a Landmark and once it gets to that status it cannot be touched by the speculators and developers who only care about fattening their bank accounts. Since ODZ in Malta means just the opposite hopefully Landmarks would keep the opportunistic greedy robber barons away and the general public would not have to sweat out the loss of such a magnificent bathing area like Hondoq.
B. Storace
Yesterday, 13:38
It seems that MEPA does not have the guts, the will or the inclination to put their foot down once and for all and state that ODZ land is just that. To hell with developers and speculators at the expense of the man in the street. Listen to us and stop fattening your bank accounts.......
Kleaven Maniscalco
Yesterday, 20:58
I think you have the wrong Idea what ODZ means. ODZ does not mean no development zone. It is just that it is outside the schemed zone. In fact this area has a policy for itself which is QALA-GZ-3 and QALA-GZ-4
Peadar Farrell
Yesterday, 13:22
I have to say this really sound like corruption at work. All dealing with property belonging to the Government /people must be completely transparent and open. If not all kinds of under the table deals can be done, this is grossly unfair to all citizens. Remember once a developer gets their hands on a property it lost to the Public for even and ever. Would a Development at Hondoq attract a single extra Tourist to Gozo...I doubt it very much..
cesco di luigi
Yesterday, 13:05
As one commentor belw said We need to move forward. Yes indeed we do. By moving forawrd I understand let public property remain public property for the use of ALL the public. Not as done in the past distant and recent public to private blue-eyed boys!! Stop this theft of public land!!!
Paul Meilak
Yesterday, 12:49
Ghall-NGOs... qisu dan il-progett biss jezisti f'Malta !! Mhux ahjar isir skond kif tghid il-policy dwar din l-art...milli l-izviluppaturi jiehdu l-flus tal-art u ma' jsir xejn ???!!!
Paul Giordimaina
Yesterday, 11:35
Malta sar kulhadd expert u kulhadd irrid jejt xi haga specjalment meta ma toqros lilom.
John Azzopoardi
Yesterday, 11:24
Gozo needs sustained developement in order for it to grow and provide jobs for the locals. I think if you have some form of development where the old reverse osmosis use to be will do. A park should also be built at the government's expense becuase it's for all the country. And leave the beach area as it but have a nice parking space area. Grow up people. we need to move forward. All the NGO's in many cases is hinder progress. Where are the NGOs where we need them. The fields between Qala and xewkija and Nadur and Vidtoria - are all littered with construction nonsense and are all eyesores. Gozo has been deteriorating for a long time. Please don't call Gozo eco- Gozo because take it from me - a humble citizen - It is not.
James Tyrrell
Yesterday, 13:08
And the reason it is not John is because people like yourself spend your time criticising NGO who are trying to do their best for the country instead of doing what you can to help them. You say that Gozo needs 'sustained' development which gives us all the impression that you are either a developer or support the developers in their rape of the islands. Perhaps you meant to say sustainable development!
Astrid Vella
Yesterday, 15:09
Indeed John, had you looked into our proposals available on our websites, instead of rushing to criticise the NGOs, you would have seen that our proposals for Hondoq echo yours almost to the letter: a students' field-work hostel on the site of the old desalination plant, a nature/heritage park, managed parking and a public beach.
Again, although most of the damage in the valley between Nadur, Xewkija and Victoria was done before most of us were in existence, you don't seem aware of the fact that FAA is challenging the latest proposals to build TWO mega-supermarkets in the remaining part of the valley, earmarked as an 'Eco-Gozo' site. I look forward to your joining us to help fight this degradation. You can contact us on contact@faa.org.mt
pat muscat
Yesterday, 11:12
Din hi 'il-hidden hand' li tkellem fuqha DOTT,Franco Debono'? Kollox minn taht? Min jaf jafx jiehu bicca art b'xejn jew bic-cicri u jizviluppa? Jizviluppawha bil-belli liri ahseb u ara b'xejn; this is not entrepreneurship, neither is it capitalism; its pure and simple cronyism!
joseph saliba
Yesterday, 16:57
Here's hoping nobody is promising that the permit would be issued if as soon as we are in power.
C Galea
Yesterday, 11:11
fully agree with these NGo`s that Hondoq area should be for the general public and not for the few .
We have got to save Hondoq area at all costs
.If developers move in normal day trippers will HAVE to move out.
Thanks for the petition link which I just happily signed and encourage others to do so
J Busuttil
Yesterday, 11:08
I have to yet hear what the NGO's think about the PL proposal for Hondoq. Min jaf why??????
James Tyrrell
Yesterday, 13:01
I would say that's because the PL proposal is nothing more than pre-election crap. Something similar to GonziPN promising to reduce prices and create jobs and then after the election the reverse happens. I'm sure the NGO's have better things to do than comment on things which will never happen.
Astrid Vella
Yesterday, 15:19
Mr Busuttil, FAA replied to the PL proposal for Hondoq on the very article where this proposal was announced: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120225/local/labour-proposes-indoor-pool-at-hondoq-desalination-plant-building.408418
However we have far too much to cope with assessing the many damaging applications that are still being submitted to use our precious resources on proposals that have not progressed more than that.
It is funny how many comments are popping up which would be proven wrong with the most
basic of homework. It sounds like some pro-development interests are running scared in the run-up to elections, and want to discredit the sustainability lobby at all costs.
Vincent Gauci
Yesterday, 11:05
There is no Reverse Osmosis plant in Hondoq. It is the site of a water distillation plant built in the sixties.
Jay Oatmon
Yesterday, 10:43
As usual secrecy hides corruption, when transparency is what is needed to expose all to the public scrutiny.