Ministry defends choice of site for landfill

The Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure yesterday stressed that the decision to have a new engineered landfill at Ghallis was not taken randomly.

The ministry was reacting to comments by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association which strongly opposed the proposed site.

The preferred siting was based on studies that have been on-going since 1996. Originally, 16 sites were identified and were seen to have a potential to be developed into an engineered landfill, the ministry said.

However, during this period and after further studies, a shortlist of six sites was proposed. Based upon this shortlist, a project description statement was published by the ministry in 2002.

The sites were then evaluated further in the initial phase of the environmental impact assessment. This evaluation was performed using rigorous and intensive studies by both foreign and local experts and it is upon this evaluation that a decision was reached, the ministry explained.

The closing of the Maghtab dump and the construction of an engineered facility as per international standards will certainly not lead to a "national disaster" as stated by MHRA but, on the contrary, will ensure Malta will have a sustainable waste management system, the ministry added.

Reacting to comments made by the Qrendi local council, the ministry reiterated its stand against the concept of constructing uncontrolled landfills or land rises as indicated by the council, be they of a permanent or of an interim nature.