The Qui-Si-Sana project

I must express my disappointment at the way partisan politics are destroying cross-party cooperation within the Sliema local council.

The council has representation from the Nationalist, Labour and Alternattiva Demokratika camps but unfortunately, instead of cherishing the contribution of all councillors, the PN majority decided to go it alone and meet the minister behind the backs of residents and Alternattiva and Labour councillors. Being a councillor responsible for the environment, my disappointment is even more pronounced, as the Qui-Si-Sana development project will have severe repercussions on Sliema's environment.

I wish to give my version of events on the Qui-Si-Sana development project.

To begin with, the motion that was tabled by councillor Michael Pace Ross (and seconded by Luke Vella) on November 2 was technically incorrect in stating that the local council is in favour of developing a car park at Qui-Si-Sana.

This is because, during the council meeting held on January 19, a special resolution was voted upon, through which the council's previous position in favour of the proposed development at Qui-Si-Sana was outvoted. This was replaced by a new council decision stating that residents have to be consulted on the proposed development. This decision was supported by Martin Debono and Marianne Aquilina (MLP), Anthony Mallia (PN) and myself (AD). Two councillors abstained and two voted against.

As regards consultation with the public, it should be known that Mepa informed the council that no further public consultation is needed on the Qui-Si-Sana project. To make matters worse, the authority also stated that no environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required on this major project, which is proposed to include a car park for hundreds of cars under the present garden, tourist-related/leisure facilities of 6,000 to 7,000 square metres and a kiosk offering catering facilities which can take up a maximum of 40 square metres and an additional 400 square metres for tables and chairs.

On May 18, the council made three other important decisions regarding the proposed development, namely that a meeting should be held with the Prime Minister, that the garden should not be commercialised and that a kiosk and tables and chairs should not be permitted on the garden. To date, the Prime Minister has not given an appointment to the council and the council is protesting with Ombudsman on the matter. Are there solutions to the Qui-Si-Sana problem? I strongly believe so.

In the first instance, residents are to be assured that the public garden will not be transformed into a commercial centre and a polluted car park. This requires the government's withdrawal of the Qui-Si-Sana development brief. Otherwise, the government will remain committed to developing the car park and commercial area.

Besides, priority should be given to traffic management. I wish to reiterate proposals that I have been making within the council. These include the following.

First, public transport should be improved. Bus 63 no longer passes through Qui-Si-Sana and Tigné, meaning that the whole peninsula is denied this basic service. Besides, Bus 61 - the only bus which leaves from the Strand and goes to Valletta - has also disappeared.

Second, provided that it will not result in land encroachment, the tunnel under the MIDI project in Tigné should be extended to Qui-Si-Sana so that all traffic would pass underground. Thus, Qui-Si-Sana residents would be spared the massive increase in pollution that will result otherwise, given that much traffic is expected to pass along the seafront on the way to Tigné.

Last but not least, a residential parking zone in Sliema's roads should be created and should be for free. The entire council is effectively proposing this point. Unfortunately, the Qui-Si-Sana development brief proposes otherwise, as it mentions that nominal fees are to be charged to residents participating in the scheme. Yet the PN councillors keep insisting that the brief is to be retained. A clear contradiction!

I strongly believe that, if all councillors are united on this issue, Sliema residents will get what they aspire to. Public land and the environment in a residential area will be safeguarded. Unfortunately, the partisan and secretive approach taken by the PN majority does not augur well.