Qala Creek referendum

The referendum held last weekend in Qala, proved to be negative for the proposed project, after 806 residents (representing 84.5%) voted against. Only 148 residents (15.5%) voted in favour. A total of 966 residents voted, out of 1,298 residents who were eligible to vote.

Counting of the votes took place at Qala primary school's library. Dr Georgina Scicluna Bajada, chaired the Electoral Commission, with assistant commissioners George Cassar, Martina Micallef and Joe Sacco. MEPA representatives were also invited to attend the process, but the chairman expressed confidence in the process. Members of the Gozo Prestige Holidays were also invited, but did not accept to attend.

Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg told The Sunday Times that the outcome of the referendum was a success: 74.4% of the Qala residents turned up to vote, which showed that the council did the right thing to call the residents to express their opinion in a referendum. The positive outcome was an expression of trust by the Qala residents and local councils towards their local council, Mr Buttigieg added.

On the other hand, Dr Victor Bajada, director of Gozo Prestige Holidays, stated that there nevertheless stands an application in front of the MEPA board, which is discussing the Project Description Statement. Dr Bajada also stated that although the Qala residents expressed a negative vote, mainly due to the influence from lobby groups against the project, this does not mean that the development will stop.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Ministry of Justice and Local Councils, revealed that in a letter to Dr Bajada and Joe Cassar, directors of the Gozo Prestige Holidays, Minister Austin Gatt stated that every local council is autonomous and that the Government not only does not interfere with the council's powers but even encourages the council to fully use its powers. The Minister also stated that he agreed with the Qala council's decision to put the issue to a referendum.

Meanwhile, last Monday, Qala council wrote a letter to Architect Silvio Farrugia at MEPA requesting a meeting to discuss the project in view of the latest developments. The council also informed MEPA that it would be submitting a detailed report on the council's position on the project, as well as an official copy of the referendum results.