Residents protest as quarry dust envelopes their properties

Phil Pryce

Jun 20th 2009, 23:04

Dust? Yes, it's a problem. But why do we have dust? Oh, yes, it's because we are building lots of apartments. Are we trying to break the record on empty apartments? I think we already have! What's the latest count? Is it 50,000, 60,000 or are we approaching 70,000 empty properties in Malta. Not bad for a population of just over 400,000. Wake UUuuupppppp!!!!!!!!

Matthew Agius

Jun 20th 2009, 18:45

Well done to the Attard Local Council for taking such initiative and keeping a solid say on the matter.

This is examplary of how Local Councils should act: in the representation and interest of the residents.

We need more councillors like you so that residents believe more in Local Councils!

WELL DONE!

N.Grima

Jun 20th 2009, 17:16

@ J.Farrugia -- With a little thought and skill on the part of both site architect and contractor, it is always possible to somehow bring down the spreading of dust to a minimal level. Presumed over-construction is a totally different and unrelated matter. This relates to regulation & law enforcement, the other relates to economics and free markets.

@ Joe Scerri -- Open a court case based on EU directives and regulations. Five years into the EU and we still can do that.

@ D.Mangion -- Cheers to the men, irrespective of party as usually is the case with local councils.

@ Attard Council and D. Scerri -- Considering the fact that the contractor's actions are clearly illegal, one could even go to the extent of asking the Attorney General and Police Commissioner to consider opening criminal case for reckless behaviour endangering the health of all residents, disrupting the peace, and even attempted murder by omission or reckless behaviour towards asthma-sufferers... though this is not exactly the USA with it's crazy lawsuits (worth a thought to spook the person anyway!).

Albert Bezzina

Jun 20th 2009, 17:15

The authorities do not regard construction related dusts and fumes as hazardous. All laws, licenses, permits and taxes are downright in favor of the construction industry. They are light handed and totally out of proportion to the laws, licenses and taxes imposed on passenger cars. The usual two weights and two measures! A 23 ton vehicle used in the construction industry pays an annual circulation fee of €93 while the smallest possible and lowest emission petrol passenger car has to pay €100. If this is not a clear demonstration of politicians' cynical view of what is in favor of our health or not I do not know what is. A fully loaded 23 ton truck generates over 1200gr CO2 per kilometer and forty times the PM10 of an average diesel powered passenger car. Who are the bed fellows?

Emmanuel Zammit

Jun 20th 2009, 17:14

This is the perfect opportunity to make money and keep the people happy as well. What’s needed:
1. Wardens to fine those truck drivers going the wrong way;
2. MEPA to block the opening “he has on the Zebbug road”
3. MEPA to fine the owner/s for “filling in the quarry with all sort of material making this valley look like a second Maghtab”
Additionally, the Attard local council and residents should start an urgent court case against the owners for compensation on the grounds of health.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE QUARRY OWNERS COMPLY.

@ D.MANGION
it's good that 2 councillors spoke in the residents' favour. But, first of all, that's what councillors are there for, and secondly it's easy to "speak" only.
But to be effective one has to take concrete action as well !

Marco Spiteri

Jun 20th 2009, 16:34

Just to add another comment and to explain further the reason of our protest. The Attard Local Council has also applied for EU funds to rehabilitate Wied Incita, to bring it back to its original spendour. Unfortunately we are afraid that there is irrepairable damage going on in the area which will make it more difficult to restore the beauty of this valley. We have a duty not only towards ourselves and to our children but also to future generations. You will understand better the situation if you had to go on Google Earth and see for yourselves the big white area between Attard and Zebbug. Our dream, when the quarry is exhausted and permits expired, is to turn this area into a Nature haven, starting from behind Mount Carmel Hospital and ending down through the valley. Unless we do something about it now. It will be too late.

D.Scerri

Jun 20th 2009, 15:00

@ Joe Mallia

Read the article well before commenting - these were not protesting against the quarry - quarrying activity at this site has long been discontinued at least on the Attard side. What they are protesting is the way the owner disregards all laws and regulations.
1. Trucks keep on turning in the road when there is a clear sign that trucks cannot go down towards the Zebbug road,
2. the way he has disregarded a MEPA order to use the opening he has on the Zebbug road, 3. the way he is no filling in the quarry with all sort of material making this valley look like a second maghtab
4. the way he has over stacked the material that has become much higher than the surrounding countryside
This is what these people have had to endure. And yes, if need be we need to reduce the harmful dust (dust mixed with diesel fumes gets stuck into your lungs for ages with the increase risk of cancer and similar disorders).

W Spencer

Jun 20th 2009, 14:02

Malta often reminds me of the TV programme ' Master Mind ' where the compere says " I've started so I will finish " the only difference here is the saying goes " I've started but I will not finish " .

Reading MEPA's ' request ' ( should that have been, instructions ) to do this and not do that, should result in huge fines if the Company refuses to comply with such instructions.

Money talks !!!

Marco Spiteri

Jun 20th 2009, 13:39

@Joe Mallie
The residents in the mentioned area knew that they were going to live next to a quarry, we all agree on that even the residents agree on this point however the owner has a number of rules to which he should abide and which will definitely make a difference to the quality of life of these residents. These regulations are all being broken hence the reason of our protest. We do not mean any harm towards the owners as this is their daily bread and butter however they have to understand that even the residents, of whom we as a council are responsible, have a right to an acceptable environment to live in. There is another exit point from where trucks can enter and leave but the owners refuse to use this entrance as an alternative. Furthermore the stock piles are believed to be higher than they should be so wind coming from that direction blows this dust onto the residents. The owners have a duty to replace the excavated area with the debris being collected . This protest is not just a matter of dust as you say but for many other valid reasons

S Ferrito

Jun 20th 2009, 13:35

Go to Mqabba to see what clouds of white dust means....!!! No wonder asthma sufferes are on the increase!!

joseph borg

Jun 20th 2009, 13:26

@joe Mallia.

I live in that street and the residents are not asking to close the quarry but that the quarry owners abide by the permit that was issued.Try living in a road where every day about 200 trucks come with a full load of rubble starting from 6 am to 7 pm.The local council erected speed limit signs but none of the drivers take any notice.

R.Spiteri

Jun 20th 2009, 12:56

At Ta' Xbiex we're being subjected to this health hazard daily ... the construction several buildings all next to each other has for the past years disturbed our peace and caused us unwanted for health conditions .... unfortunately complaints to the MEPA officers have not given any fruitful results .... the newly erected buildings are still without the covering stipulated by law so that the dust is controlled from spreading ... according to the permit the building area should be sprinkled regularly with water .... but none of this is being enforced .... maybe the Prime Minister will look into the matter as the residents of Triq l-Imradd and surrounding areas have taken enough .... or should we send photos to the EU for something to happen

D.MANGION

Jun 20th 2009, 12:49

to Attard residents

2 councillors spoke in your favour.

Marco Spiteri.- PN councillor.
Ralph Cassar- AD councillor.

Think of it when you come to your next local councils election.

Joe Morana

Jun 20th 2009, 12:49

I wish that the new Sliema Local Council would do something similar against MEPA and ADT to safeguard Sliema residents health and qaulity of life, from the Sliema overdevelopment authorised by MEPA and against the Sliema precarious traffic problems which are causing air and noise polution. Wake up Sliema Council.

J Pace

Jun 20th 2009, 12:43

What do you mean bear it,Mr Farrugia. I suppose you'd like me to grin as well whilst I'm at it. I live in Tigne Sliema and on some days we cannot even go outside for the dust clouds which cover all our houses,cars etc. all coming from Fort Cambridge. Yes The developers have to be more careful and definetely yes they should be made to pay compensation. It's your very attitude to bear it that makes these people think they can get away with it. Unfortunately,so far,they do!

joe mallia

Jun 20th 2009, 12:17

What do people expect living next to a quarry that has been there since the 60's. I live in Swieqi and with no quarries around ,my car gets full of dust after 30mins. Get used to it, this is a dusty place. Shall i complain to mepa to stop cars using my street as unfortunately ,it's a main road ???

M. Zammit

Jun 20th 2009, 11:59

I wholeheartedly support you. Dust dust dust everywhere... it's intollerable. More so when neighbours do work on their house facades and leave dust everywhere even when they have finished the job!

Dust is a health hazard and nuisance but I doubt that it's felt at Castile Place!

Since the dust is the property of the quarry owners they ought to be penalised for dirtying the environement and made to pick up all the dust that goes astray including cleaning private property! Quarry dust is recognizeable.

joe scerri

Jun 20th 2009, 11:53

People did not vote PN not only because of the Water & Electricity Bills.........

5 years into the EU and we still live in a third world dust bowl.

J Farrugia

Jun 20th 2009, 11:52

These Attard residents are protesting against dust coming their way from construction sites and want MEPA to stop this abuse, since yes it is an abuse. But we cannot stop construction. If we have to stop only the dust of Attard it would be discrimination. Since in my backyard I am having the same problems. Dust coming our of a full block of 49 flats into our backyards and we cannot even open windows in summer and we have no air-conditioning units. All my flowers and plants have died due to the dust coming our of the construction site in my backyard. What am I to do, kill the owners? the contractor and his employees. We all have to bear it. But I think that now its about time to have a stop construction period of say 10 years to consolidate what little we have and give ourselves some fresh air, unless those who are now protesting, don't apply for re-arranging their own homes, for say electricity or an air conditioner, or a new bathroom, or whatever. And we go back to square one.