Reflections on Xemxija Bay development

Xemxija Bay comprises the areas known as Mistra Bay, Fekruna, Xemxija, Pwales, Dellija, Veccja/Barracuda, Tax-Xama', Ta' l-Ghazzenin, Sirens and the Gillieru area. All the above areas have served throughout scores of years as a villeggatura for the people emanating from the east and inner areas of the island.

With the passing of time, all these areas suffered from sheer neglect due to haphazard building development, from lack of infrastructure planning to destruction of its environment. A regeneration project for Xemxija Bay is well overdue and when taken up must reflect the exigencies and aspirations of all stakeholders, namely, the inhabitants of these areas first and foremost, the tourist and leisure industry, other interested parties and the government that ultimately decides on all matters.

I would like to forward some suggestions in order to generate a proper dialogue before decisions are taken that would affect us, the residents of Xemxija Bay.

Mistra Bay areas:
A very good slipway still exists in this bay. It is a large slipway that can take 10-metre-plus boats. A dredging of the bay and the removal of the fish farms which are polluting the sea would be necessary to turn this bay into a Yacht Marina that would include all modern facilities.

Gillieru area:
By the side of Bugibba quay, there is a very good slipway that services 10-metre-plus boats and which is frequently used. The area from Bugibba quay right to the Gillieru restaurant would ideally serve as another yacht marina.

Veccja area:
There are two slipways in the stretch from Veccja to Dellija area. Both slipways are frequently used. This stretch would also make an ideal spot for a third yacht marina in Xemxija Bay.

Pwales/Xemxija area:
The inner part of Xemxija Bay and the Pwales area should be restored to its former glory and serve as a sandy beach. If the St George's Bay project is repeated here, the pressure on the northern sandy beaches will be partly relieved. St George's Bay is attracting thousands of bathers who otherwise would have gone elsewhere.

Not so many years ago, a daily bus service from Rabat and Zebbug to Xemxija used to operate and was very popular with the residents of these two populous villages who used to frequent this sandy beach. The residents of Pwales and Xemxija, while recognising the fact that boat owners should have berthing facilities, want their right to have proper bathing facilities guaranteed. The residents are seeing their right to bathe in good quality water being eroded by the laissez faire policy of the Malta Maritime Authority.

While every Tom, Dick and Harry plant moorings in the most haphazard way and illegally at that, the authority that regulates such matters is playing the Emperor Nero's game while Xemxija Bay is becoming virtually difficult to navigate and dangerous to swim in. Every year, new moorings crop up like mushrooms and now are almost blocking the entrance to the bay.

Fekruna/Xemxija Hill/Ta' L-Ghazzenin and Sirens area should also be dredged and embellished and left for bathers' recreation.

A balance between the residents' wish to preserve their swimming pastime and the exigencies of boat owners must be struck. To turn all Xemxija Bay into a yacht marina will signal the dead knell to the last traditional villeggatura of Malta.