After Wied Garnaw, eyes on Rabat golf course proposal

The Nationalist Party yesterday attacked Alternattiva Demokratika for its "lack of respect for facts" when it criticised the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's declaration on golf courses.

The PN said Dr Gonzi's statement had been clear: that the country needed at least two more golf courses, one in Malta and the other in Gozo, and that the government would go on experts' advice as to the locations.

AD had on Monday criticised the declaration on the eve of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's decision on the Verdala golf course application, saying it exposed the Prime Minister's true colours.

The PN said AD's insinuation was that Dr Gonzi was trying to influence the decision, which was totally untrue.

Meanwhile, AD yesterday welcomed the authority's decision saving Wied Garnaw from unsustainable development.

AD's spokesman for the environment, Mark Causon, said: "Such development makes sense in an industrial area and not in a green area. We are sure that there are better sites for the construction of an inorganic waste separation plant instead of this valley, which supports agricultural land in Santa Lucia, Tarxien, Luqa, Ghaxaq and Gudja."

He said the decision was an important victory for civil society and that the unity shown by local councils, committed individuals and non-government organisations had been decisive.

He said Mepa will soon decide on another important issue in which civil society has also been involved, namely the Verdala golf course. "We augur another victory for civil society for social justice and sustainable development," Mr Causon said.