Arts Minister suggests landfill in only one quarry near Mnajdra

Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett last week opined that only one of the two quarries earmarked for use as temporary landfills next to the World Heritage sites Mnajdra and Hagar Qim is needed for use as an engineered landfill.

"When one sees the volume of municipal waste generated annually and the capacity of the two quarries, it is obvious that not more than one of them would be needed for use as a temporary landfill. The quarry at Xaghra tal-Maghlaq - the farthest one from the temples - is, in my opinion, the better suited for this," Minister Mugliett said.

"If Xaghra tal-Maghlaq (2) quarry is used as a temporary engineered landfill and Qasam il-Kbir (9) quarry is rehabilitated using inert building waste, we will end up with two rehabilitated quarries in the short term. In my opinion, the Xaghra tal-Maghlaq quarry is sufficiently distant for any possible negative aspect to leave minimal impact. I think that there is a convergence towards this idea," he told The Sunday Times last week.

The current landfill debate has attracted attention from various sectors. The protection and conservation of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim fall under Minister Mugliett's portfolio.

"This is a delicate problem," he added. "The quarries need to be rehabilitated, especially if Mnajdra and Hagar Qim are to be transformed into a heritage park. I am all for tackling rehabilitation of quarries immediately.

"The fact that this will be our first experience with engineered landfills will mean that there is a need for concerted monitoring. My ministry will be requesting to be involved in all the stages of monitoring. It is this monitoring that will make the difference at the end of the day," he said.

Asked what will happen in practical terms, the minister said "the ultimate way forward will be shown by the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), which will evaluate the various needs and possible impacts. In the end, we should go by the EIA." EIA results are expected by the end of November.

The minister also made another important point. A proposal has been presented to Cabinet to develop the area around Hagar Qim and Mnajdra area into an archaeological park. "By the time the first phase of the park - probably the visitors' centre - will be ready, the temporary landfill's life will be over."

This issue is just one of many the ministry faces. Mr Mugliett is in charge of youth, sport and everything related to the arts and heritage. The task is thus massive and requires significant human, technical and financial resources.

Significant changes have been made in the field of cultural heritage. The Cultural Heritage Act set up various new institutions, including Heritage Malta and the Superintendence. The new law changed how government operates in this sector.

"My first task was to consolidate these new structures, see that they are going in the right direction and address the legal responsibilities inherent in these laws," the minister said. "Today, all these structures are fairly well established and I think we have started to deliver."

Besides embarking on new projects, the ministry has also taken existing projects under its wing. "We have prioritised projects and are tackling the more pressing ones first, for example Heritage Malta's management structure and staff conditions," the minister said.

"I believe that the development of our heritage assets as a product adds value to Malta's cultural sector," Mr Mugliett said, "and we are working on projects to this effect.

"More importantly, we are working towards maximising income from our sites through an upgrade in visitor management, facilities and interpretation. The introduction of ticketing machines at the Museum of Archaeology is the first step in this programme.

"One of our priorities is to make our sites more dynamic and attractive and offering visitors a unique cultural experience. Another entity established by the Cultural Heritage Act is the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. One of the main projects of the Superintendence is the completion of an inventory of Malta's cultural assets. The inventory will also include intangible heritage," he added.

Eventually, all entities working in the heritage sector will come together in October or November to discuss a National Policy for Maltese Heritage.

Mr Mugliett is fully aware that the road ahead is long and hard. As an architect with a special interest in conservation, he has long experience behind him, which he finds of great help in his current post. His career in heritage management started when he was an architect working on conservation with the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee when it was still in its infancy.

"The task is enormous," Mr Mugliett said. "The sites within our responsibility require a lot of work. Even if we had a bigger budget, we could not do everything at one go. Certain problems, like controlling looting from underwater sites, are very difficult to handle."

Another long-term project is the creation of the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra archaeological park. "There will be an international competition for the park's design," Mr Mugliett said, "and it will include a management plan, a visitor centre, a solution for a cover for the temples and improved accessibility."

The idea is to create a cover that will protect the temples from the elements. "Roofing projects will probably start on other sites, such as Tarxien temples. Naturally, principles of reversibility will be strictly adhered to," he said.

"In the case of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim, any roofing solution must also be reversible in the short term, so that at certain times of the year it will be possible to view the site without the roofing structure," the minister added.

The Museum of Fine Arts is another long-term project. So far, the Turner Wing has already been opened with the help of HSBC. "We have plans to incorporate two adjacent houses in the planned expansion and refurbishment project. Hopefully this will be achieved within three years," Mr Mugliett said. "We also have plans to involve the private sector in this venture."

Speaking about future work, he stressed the need for ongoing research. "I would like to see an ongoing research process, both of existing artefacts and sites," he said. "I would also like to see an ongoing debate on the various issues resulting from this research. This and further excavations will add justification to our work and give Maltese heritage a higher profile."

Mr Mugliett is very conscious of the need for quality and adheres to very strict standards. Using the Roman Domus at Rabat as an example, he explained that the site's external area is still not up to standard. "I do not agree with opening the Roman Domus in Rabat for visitors while the external area still lies in shambles," he added.

Awareness of the need for standards and strict adherence to such principles are very encouraging indeed. It is with such attitudes that our heritage can be maximised to its full potential and conserved in the best way.

A lot of positive steps have already been taken. More work will always be necessary, but at least there is a pervasive feeling of enthusiasm and drive to get things done at all levels. From their part, the public is urged not only to appreciate their heritage, but also work towards protecting and promoting it.