Beach reclamation plan starts moving

A call for tenders for the importation of 6,000 cubic metres of sand for the beach reclamation project in St George's Bay is expected to be issued next month.

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that for the past months the ministry had been analysing a number of different samples of sand which would be appropriate for the bay and its grade, to ensure it is not swept away by rough seas.

Contacts for the sand's importation have already been established with Spain and Italy, but the government is also considering Libya as a source, though no communication has been made yet.

In June, the government had hoped that the project would start last October, as long as financing and permits did not delay the process.

In the budget for 2004, Lm100,000 has been allocated for the project which, coupled with the sand's cost of Lm400,000 and the beach promenade, is expected to cost Lm1 million.

"Of course this is just the initial budget allocation to get us started," Dr Zammit Dimech pointed out.

The project involves an extended beach which can cater for 760 people - a far cry from the present two pockets of sand which barely accommodate 100.

It includes the creation of a 25-metre wide sandy beach with a 20-metre wide bathing area and a five-metre wide buffer/recreation zone between the bathing area and the promenade's embellishment.

So will the project be ready in time for summer 2004?

"I don't exclude that the beach will be ready in time for the summer. It's not impossible, but it is a very difficult target since we depend on so many components," the minister said.

Among the elements which could delay the process is whether the sand can be delivered in time once a bidder is chosen and the permits are issued.

The formal application for the beach reclamation was submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority last month by the ministry's consultant and adviser, George Micallef, and the target date for MEPA's decision is February.

In June 2002, it had approved the outline development permit for replenishing this small beach with sand.

The proposal had also been submitted by Mr Micallef and a public hearing was held in February last year. Despite the cost involved, it was pointed out during the public hearing that this project would generate benefits amounting to Lm2.7 million.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the ministry was also considering public-private partnerships for facilities in the bay area.