Reactions to Dwejra project

Nature Trust (Malta) (NTM) has thanked all those organisations, associations and members of the public who sent in their comments, suggestions and concerns on the Dwejra project.

It said that comments received, together with the comments raised at the public consultation meetings, have now been submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and the Dwejra Steering Committee.

MEPA will now be guiding the first draft of the Management Plan, taking into account the EU requirements as well as the comments received together with experts advice and the scientific and technical reports on Dwejra drawn over the last months.

The first draft will be presented to the Dwejra Steering Committee who will start discussions, negotiations and consultation with all the major stakeholders in the area to amend and finalise the Management Plan which will be approved by the authorities.

The Steering Committee is made up of representatives of MEPA, the Gozo Ministry, San Lawrenz council and a representative of Nature Trust as the Life beneficiaries.

As both the Steering Committee and Nature Trust are giving greater importance to the stakeholder consultation process, NTM has requested the EU Commission for an extension on the stakeholder consultation period.

Anyone wishing to send in any further comments should either write to the Dwejra Steering Committee chairman Dr G. Debono, or hand in their comments either to the Ministry for Gozo, San Lawrenz council or Nature Trust (Malta).