Nature park instead of golf course

The government has decided not to go ahead with the planned golf course at Ix-Xaghra l-Hamra and will instead build a nature and history park which will be five times the size of Valletta, the Prime Minister announced yesterday.

It was his second major 'green' decision in days, having on Thursday decided to abruptly stop bird hunting in the spring after protected birds were shot down.

The golf course proposal had drawn a chorus of protests on environmental grounds, and Dr Gonzi told a press conference at the Auberge de Castille yesterday that the government's decision confirmed its declaration that the golf course would not be built at any cost, despite the need for a golf course to attract golf-playing tourists.

He said the project at Ix-Xaghra l-Hamra would be ditched following expert reports which shown that a substantial amount of development would be required.

The nature and history park, which will be built instead, will be the first of its type in Malta. It will be run by Din l-Art Helwa and Nature Trust, whose representatives yesterday signed a letter of intent.

A management plan for the park to regulate activities that may be carried out there is due for completion in three months. Existing farmland will continue to be used as such and farmers who had their rent (qbiela) suspended will get it back.

Environment Minister George Pullicino said that the heritage park would cover 2.6 km2 from Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay) to Il-Prajjiet (Anchor Bay).

The area includes a wide variety of endemic and threatened species and habitats, including cliff and maritime habitats with the endemic Maltese Rock-Centaury, clay slopes with the rare Fagonia, garigue communities based on Mediterranean thyme and various orchids and rock pools, with many species, most of which are endemic or of restricted Mediterranean distribution.

There are from 100 to 120 items of historical or archaeological importance in the area, including rock-cut chambers, corbelled huts - including the only square one in Malta, and cart ruts.

Mr Pullicino said the area needed to be managed because it was subject to a variety of human activities that could result in a negative impact on natural habitats and species. Such activities would be tackled by the management plan.

Works on the park, Mr Pullicino said, will include the conservation and restoration of rubble walls and historic sites, the restoration of degraded habitats, the retention of a dark sky heritage to prevent light pollution and the protection of ground water.

Parking, swimming zones and beaches will be managed and Heritage, environmental and horse riding trails will be created.

The park, Mr Pullicino said, will be an educational and recreational experience for all, and will also include opportunities for climbing, abseiling and cycling, as well as picnic areas.

He said that the government did not exclude extending the area in future.

All income from activities held at the park will go towards its management. Entrance to the park, however, will be free of charge.

Asked when the park would be inaugurated, he said that its development will be an ongoing and evolving process. The government will be submitting an application for funds to the EU programme Life.

Asked whether other sites were to be considered for a golf course, the Prime Minister replied "only if they can be sustainable".

He said the government was not afraid of taking decisions but if studies showed that such decisions could be harmful it had the courage to change direction.

Din l-Art Helwa president Martin Galea welcomed the government's decision, saying: "We're going to let our children inherit what we've enjoyed up to now."

The government took the right decision when it decided against a golf course on the site and he hoped this would only be the beginning of a much larger national park incorporating areas such as Gebel Ciantar and Fomm ir-Rih.

He promised that non-government organisations would deliver, saying that although the burden was heavy their hearts were light.

Nature Trust president Vince Attard said the government had taken a wise and responsible decision showing that it was conscious of the environment's importance to Malta.

Nature Trust and Din l-Art Helwa, he said, now wanted to extend this partnership to others.