Qrendi council condemns decision

Qrendi council has condemned the government's decision to create temporary landfills in quarries at ix-Xaghra tal-Maghlaq and Qasam il-Kbir, in the vicinity of the Mnajdra temples.

Mayor Carmelo Falzon told a news conference that ix-Xaghra tal-Maghlaq was an integral part of the Mnajdra temples. Although within the confines of Qrendi, it was the responsibility of the Museums Department together with Hagar Qim.

Qasam il-Kbir, he added, was in the same zone as the seven prehistoric Misqa wells.

There were also punic graves, which were known to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, close to the two sites. And both sites led to the Maghlaq valley, the entrance of which was beneath the reverse osmosis plant that provided water to the south of the island.

Mr Falzon said this was the only untouched area in the Qrendi zone and the government's proposal was a threat to residents and the tourism sector.

The council condemned the fact that it had not been consulted or approached to state its position. It only got to know about the decision from the media.