Referendum 'eye-opener'

The resounding 'No' vote in the referendum on proposed development in Qala was a clear indication of a change of values and should be noted by those in government and authority, Friends of the Earth Malta said.

"Large building developments were always considered to be progress in the past and it was argued that injecting money into the Maltese economy is, in itself, a good thing.

"The people of Qala have clearly rejected these notions by indicating that they prefer natural landscapes and even open space to built-up tourism areas that could be attractive job-wise," it said in a statement.

"The referendum held in Qala is an excellent example of local democracy in practice and FoE (Malta) urges other local councils to do the same when important decisions are to be taken."

Alternattiva Demokratika also welcomed the result of the Qala referendum which confirmed that 84.5 per cent of residents opposed the proposed development of Hondoq ir-Rummien.

"It is now confirmed that the overwhelming majority of Qala residents oppose the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien,which would rob Gozo of one of its few remaining beaches if developed. Having a yacht marina very close to a beach will definitely cause environmental damage and will be detrimental to Qala residents, Maltese and Gozitans, and tourists who frequent the beach.

"This will be another mega-project that will help transform Malta and Gozo to a concrete jungle, doing more harm than good to our tourist product," AD said in a statement.