Barbecues to be banned from Mellieha bay

S Saliba

Jul 14th 2009, 14:51

Mr Cutajar's excuse (the Mayor of the Mellieha Local Council) is that by banning the BBQs he is going to eliminate people leaving dirt on the beaches among other things. One can easily go with a packed lunch and some drinks and leave more dirt than these families who go and enjoy themselves on the sand. On a radio station he quoted that there are other 13 beaches where one can organise a BBQ. But Ghadira bay is the most suitable for families with small children. He is stating that in order to give Ghadira bay a blue flag status, one has to ban BBQs. This is not the case, if you visit http://www.blueflag.org/ you can find the criteria needed so a beach can become a blue flag beach. There are so many things the Council can do to start with, like installing mobile toilets, toilets for the disabled, showers and many more. If the Council needs money to do these things he can start by employing inspectors who fine those who are caught damaging the beach and with these fines he can have to money to improve the beach. I'm sorry but banning BBQs is unfair!!

J.Azzopardi

Jul 6th 2009, 13:56

@I Gatt
If imbeciles are the culprits of such stupidities then punish the imbeciles and not ban BBQs. Ban this Ban that, simply because the MLC or the Ministry in the first place does not have what it takes to employ Green Wardens capable of heavily booking such offenders. Maybe with your mentality you should ban yourself from going out cause something or someone is bound to irritate you beyond your doorstep. This collective punishment attitude in Malta is getting dangerously totalitarian. If you keep leaving the morons scott free and in turn punish the whole community, then the bubble is bound to burst at one point. What's next to be banned ?

I Gatt

Jul 6th 2009, 12:40

A group of people decided to light up two BBQ's just beneath a Hotel's beach tratoria last Friday evening. The massive volumes of smoke being produced was nothing like I have ever seen before and gallons of fuel must have been used to create such a spectacular blaze. The result was that patrons at the tratoria could not possibly enjoy their meal and two wedding receptions being held at the hotel were seriously compromised. The hotel's management tried in vain to control the situation however the BBQ's were allowed to burn on by their patron. What a disappointment this must have been for the brides.
BBQ's must either be banned or else the police be present to control those imbeciles who lack even the slightest of common sense. The prevailing attitude of I'm all right and ? you jack must stop once and for all, the relevant authorities kindly take note....

AAzzopardi

Jul 6th 2009, 12:22

I am totally against this ban as this is simply putting those who litter and those who don't in the same basket. MLC should take other measures to keep the bay clean, amongst which:

1. employ green wardens that are there till after midnight. How many times are wardens seen during the day on beaches, let alone during the night. And the ones during the day will be in the street waiting for the first person to park incorrectly. Fines should be hefty and not a simple Euro10!!!!

2. charcoal bins stolen: make them a base of concrete which will be buried under the sand, no one will be able to steal that unless they come with a truck!! Also to those "intelligent" people: charcoal means charcoal and not anything that normally goes into a normal rubbish bin.

3. who said that litter is found after bbqs. MLC should employ a large "gaffa" with a net a the back that goes up and down the beach collecting every single item that is found. This is done overseas, can't see why it can't be done in malta.

so much for a blue flag, educate rather than opposing!!!!!!

philip pace

Jul 6th 2009, 08:07

It looks like that there is a big problem managing Ghadira Bay.
The main problem is that this bay fall under the jurisdiction of the Mellieha Local Council.
The MLC with all its successes and failures cannot handle this as this is a different site/area that should have its own management.
The MLC have got to concentrate solely on the village.
The Ghadira Bay should be left apart from the duties of the MLC.
It is a large area and far away from the center of Mellieha.
This shows a catastrophic short sightedness from the persons/board that defined the local councils administration.
The Governemnt should take all into consideration all the bays in Malta and Gozo and form working forces thatshall be responsible ofthe all the bays in Malta and Gozo, but divided into different areas whowork in tandem with the concerned localcouncil.
Banning of the BBQ is a regressive and undemocratic act that is an insult to us as if we can't do nothing at all!
The banning stops the citizens from enjoying freedom regardless of the fact that some of us are not that responsible.
Littering shall always takes place but the culprits have to be caught!

Edwin Grech

Jul 6th 2009, 02:00

Banning BBQ's is not the solution to keep the beach clean. Enforcement of current litter laws and a couple of hefty fines on the spot during the day and night will surely educate those who cannot care less. A distinction has to be made between the small private, family bbq's and the big mega bbq's for students and other groups who periodaically invade the beach. Personally, my faimly have spent many peacefull evenings when our children were still young enjoying a simple bbq. I cannot, however, immagine families with little kids being forced to go to the rocky part of the beach to enjoy a bbq. Could the other 11 beaches be named???

Banning bbq's is not a required criteria for a Blue Flag status. Cleanlines , proper facilities and beach management are a must. This link gives more insight to what the Blue Flag status is about. http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Criteria.... sensible beach management to enable all people, locals and tourists, to enjoy the beach safely.

Finally, if the by-law is still to be approved, how come the "No BBQ's" signs are already in place? These should be covered up till this by-law is approved, if it is at all.

mario mifsud

Jul 6th 2009, 00:49

this is all a sad excuse becuase the council does want not to enforce rules on littering
Does the public convenience, situated in the bay with the makeshift sewage cover and full of coakroaches, form part of the Blue Flag standard?

Fred Agius

Jul 5th 2009, 22:50

A welcoming decision, sorry but only a handful can be trusted to keep the beach as clean as required. When one strolls the promenade at Ghadira in the evenings one cannot help note the mayhem of natives burning their BBQ's filling the atmosphere with choking acrid odours only a few paces one apart from the other. It is not sustainable, and portrays just an organised disorder.

Eric Camilleri

Jul 5th 2009, 22:40

Dear Mellieha Mayor.
Further to the earlier comment I made this morning, together with my family this afternoon I went to Mellieha Bay after 3.30pm. Not only we already found filth everywhere on the beach but while staying there till 7pm this evening we witnessed an unbelievable number of ignorant selfish people, mostly Maltese and a few foreigners, throwing bottles, packets, glasses and all the filth you can imagine on the sand and leaving all behind when they left. I noticed only one person who picked up around 6 empty beer cans and dumped them in the bin. I personally picked up 3 "broad daylight" glass bottles. I have no doubt that even during the BBQ's there will be peanut brains who will litter abundantly but it is these who are to be punished and not ban genuine BBQs as per signs you already illegally put up at every beach staircase. Mellieha Bay is not Mellieha's property but on the contrary it is PUBLIC land property of the Maltese people. If MLC cannot administer by appointing Green Wardens with legal powers to book offenders on the spot, then let the matter in the hands of the Ministry concerned.

Alfred Cassar

Jul 5th 2009, 22:32

Well done, I agree. This is the only way to avoid finding the bay in such a pity state in the morning. Perhaps a couple of beach warden is also required throughout the day and fine people dirtying the beach on the spot. This is the only way some people learn unfortunately.
One other point regarding Ghadira Bay. LAst week I witnessed 2 guys riding their landrover on the sand to collect their umbrellas and deckchairs. Tourists and Maltese had to make way for these cowboys or else risk being hit. Will this be allowed in a Blue Flag Bay?
To all those who are moaning against this MLC decision, do not take this decision as a political decision, it has been taken in the interest of all locals and tourists alike.

Stefan Sacco

Jul 5th 2009, 18:00

Dear Mr Cutajar,
As I already personally communicated with you via e mail..I feel disgusted about your decision and if this will get the goverment's approval. I have 13 and 11 year old children and God knows how great a time I had in the past years when they were younger seeing them enjoying what is OUR (maltese) wonderful beach with clear sea while I had a drink with family and friends and cooking Where are the green wardens????? Does they still exist??? why not trying them instead of giving us the ridiculous excuse of litter left!! My children are old enough to go somewhere else but I feel this is a decision to be ashamed of!! This is our beech as much as yours and Tourists

Karl Axisa

Jul 5th 2009, 17:31

Eric Camilleri, I stand four square behind you. And while we are at it, what about the rubbish left underneath dekchairs by turists and locals alike. During the day, empty beer cans, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, food left overs, dirty nappies and what have you, end up camouflashed beneath the obstructing, suffocating at times abbusive, money making parafernalia. It is only after 5.30 pm when all this is retreived that all the fith is exposed.

I always dispose of my used charcoal responsibly and always make sure that I leave no litter behind (even if it is not mine) whenever (every weekend that is) my family and I stay for a BBQ at this lovely beach. I pay all my taxes on time and as far as I know I obey and support the law. I only happen to have no money for a private pool to enjoy such an activity with my family.

While the idea of having Ghadira blue flagged is nice (I am sure that the hotel owners agree with this) I am also convinced that with the adequate infrastructure we can still experience bbq's on this beach...hopefully for free.

Joseph Calleja

Jul 5th 2009, 17:13

@ian vella
IT'S NOT THE BARBEQUE GATHERING THAT MAKES THE BEACH DIRTY ! IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. I GUARANTEE YOU THAT EVERY MELLIEHI THAT USES THE BEACH, NO MATTER WHAT, LEAVES THE SPOT HE USES, CLEANER THAN BEFORE. SO PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR BEACHES CLEAN, WE DO!

ian vella

Jul 5th 2009, 16:35

i have been going to ghadira since i was a little kid. I always stayed in the same area , year after year for the last 40 years. Twice a week, we used to organise a BBQ. After i got married, i still continues this so called family tradition and this kept on going till last year. All the families in our so called area surely never behaved or made things that threathened ghadira bay from obtaining any flag status. We always cleaned up before we left and never disturbed each other.
This is the worst decision one could ever take by abolishing a maltese tradition that has been going on for years.

Joseph Calleja

Jul 5th 2009, 16:29

A very bold move by the Mellieha City Council and it's about time somebody has the initiative to start such a task. The plan is not a hundred percent but it will be a start to clean Ghadira Beach. Stopping barbecues alone is not the answer, keeping the whole beach clean and orderly is. This is the most frequented and most beautiful beach on the island and since it is used by all, I think the government should share with the burden of keeping this prestigeous beach clean and orderly. I applaud the Mellieha City Council for what they are trying to do, but it cannot go it alone, the government has to pitch in and do their part. Most people clean up after themselves and it's only the few that make it bad for the rest of us. Take a good deposit on permits and if groups don't clean up after themselves, hold on to that deposit, no refund till the place is cleaned up. Remind THE FEW that Mommy is not there to pick up after them. Either way MCC you are heading the right way and remind people that IT'S EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN.

Charles Micallef

Jul 5th 2009, 15:28

A very sensible decision taken by Mellieha Council....let us hope that other resorts will follow suit'

However it is very important to have designated areas where Mr Joe Public can enjoy seaside BBQ's in the evenings.

It is also about time that green wardens are introduced to spot checks these beaches and fine anyone who offends!

John F Borg

Jul 5th 2009, 14:52

What about the umbrella and deck chair hire people? They have made the bay their property and claim exclusive right.

The bay is literally littered by the umbrella stumps which apart from being a nuisance in the first place, are a hazard for people wlaking along the bay.

Last but not least one chould also keep in mind the illegal boathouses. Why are they still there? Surely a BBQ between some friends does far less damage that an illegal strucutre on the beach?
finally what constitutes a BBQ? is it only the fact that there is a fire/charcoal burning? Does a gorup of people eating takeway food and drinking beer constitute and infringement of the law? Can't such a group litter the bay?

Is ghadira bay going to become a restricted area? especially at night time?

Galea. L

Jul 5th 2009, 14:46

David A. Agius5c are not enough. Maybe 1 euro will do the trick.

John F Borg

Jul 5th 2009, 14:46

Why ban the BBQ's? Most of the litter on bays comes from the day visitors, abnd the fact that by midday most of the bins in most of th eMaltese bays are overflowing.
Banning BBQ's is surely not the way! More investment in infrastructure as regards toilets, bins, waste disposal systems should be introduced at all bays.
And what about the so called Kiosks that spring up like mushrooms in all the bays? Considering their strategic location, these should be charged a higher permit to operate by the beach, and part of the revenue directed towards maintaining the beach clean. Going back to mellieha bay, the so called adira sailing club is a fine example of a concrete monstrosity disguised as a sailing club, when in fact the main activity is the restaurant and bar. The same thing is happening at golden bay, where the take away on the bay, which till now is a wooden structure, has diversified its activity and became a restaurant and club. One wonders what permits were issued in the first place, if any were? And were does the drainage from these structures end?

Mary F. Fisher

Jul 5th 2009, 14:16

I fully agree that it is about time our beautiful Mellieha Bay was granted the Blue Flag status and I truly believe that this should be a concerted effort by the council and Joe Public. By now, the Maltese Joe Public knows exactly the difference between clean and unclean and good behaviour and abuse but on the beach, anything goes. Shame that we should have to have wardens and the like to remind us how to behave when we ourselves understand fully what we are doing. What the Mellieha council is trying to do is truly admirable but if we Maltese behaved ourselves their resources could be perhaps more deployed towards a better cause. Other beaches need looking after too e.g. Mistra Bay. Personally, because of dirt and public misbehaviour I have gradually been driven from any accessible beach and I now have to resort to paying to use a private pool - doing this on an island our size!!!! I also endorse what M.Scicluna said about the road from the Torri l-Ahmar to Armier. It must be the worst existing road surface in Malta. ADT, MTA and the present government please note. Thanks.

K. Vella

Jul 5th 2009, 14:13

1. It is refreshing to see "by-law" being used, as opposed to the grammatically correct yet annoying "bye-law".

2. I think the biggest offenders are those going to the beaches to celebrate their village's patron saint and all the beach parties – organised for foreigners and locals alike.

Edward Camilleri

Jul 5th 2009, 14:07

And while at it ban smoking from this bay and any other bay. The bay - both on the rocks and in the sand - is full of cigarette buts. Those who obey the law deserve better than having to sit on rubbish left by irresponsible individuals. Besides most of this rubbish may end up in the sea.

D. A . Agius

Jul 5th 2009, 13:43

For the issues about cleanliness, first of all shops should charge a 5c deposit for each plastic bottle sold. On return, this should be refunded and then thrown in waste separation bins by the shop owner or by the supplier.

Nationally, the majority of rubbish nowadays are especially Plastic bottles. Until we do this measure, rubbish will still be a huge problem.

D. A . Agius

Jul 5th 2009, 13:40

Enforcement is the rule and honselty, for large groups it's reasonable to apply for a permit and an area to be allocated. Maybe haveing two beach managers rather than enforcement officers would be more ideal. They should do the enforcement when instructions are not held to.

For BBQ Charcoal bins, please stop from using the 1/2 drums. Apart from the fact that they are used by the usual idiots to throw in all sorts of other rubbish, they are carried away too easily. Place again fixed pits at two or three locations around the bay, surrounded only by a small perimiter wall and having a supply of water to cool off the charcoal. Then pick it up once every two days.

M Scicluna NFT

Jul 5th 2009, 13:31

Well M L C it is better late than never, the move should be a good one let us see some more control on all public beaches, and make sure they are KEPT TIDY. Apart from Ghadira there is also Armier Bay I was there today the first time this summer. The area were there is a Concrete Platform just below the large car park was a mess, there is still Sea Weed on the rocky part, the bins were not emptied until 10.am and one was left full close to the water's edge too, another was drowned in the large pool which is also always filthy with remains of plastic bottles and so on, tents are put up in the supposed to be a green patch, this is a mess. This is frequented by local families, a warden should be there with leaflets to hand out to the tent users that they should keep the area Tidy and take any rubbish and left over home with them. The last but not the least the road from under the Red Tower to Armier needs re surfacing urgently please, ADT, Local Council anybody with some concern.

Mrs.Hannah Murry

Jul 5th 2009, 12:45

As a British visitor to your lovely country, i agree yes Ban BBQ from this lovely and safe beach, its actually the only beach in Malta that i can freely say thats its safe for our children, but as far as tidyiness and cleaning behing their mess, sorry but the Maltese nation are spotless inside their own homes but outside its a different story.. they are filthy and uncareing for their own country and rather irresponsible. *Please* don't say we are whingers as some Maltese say the British are, we are only saying it for your own good and not mine believe You Me! there are plenty more clean beaches in europe that we have visited and can spend our holidays in. Have a nice day and wash your hands remember the H1N1, beaches are not excused especially when one visit a local beach beach toilet.........say no more.

J. Borg

Jul 5th 2009, 12:27

The usual gimmicks....
if MLC is serious it can charge a fee for issuing BBQ permits depending on the number of persons joining in.
The fees can finance the employment of wardens/lifeguards
Now speaking of real pollution - what is MLC doing regarding the fish farms that are littering the bay?

Eric Camilleri

Jul 5th 2009, 11:42

To Mellieha Local Council - Blue Flag status my nose. The filth that litters Ghadira was never because of the family barbeques but always from the noisy beach parties that are so frequently "organized" and attended to by arrogant, misbehaved, drunk and undisciplined people, including the numerous language school hordes that invade the beach, occassionally also copulating publicly. It is always these nuisance that "clog" the beach and not the family barbeques. You get the finger if you draw the attention of the retard who dumbs his glass bottle within a metre of the litter bin. You get worst if you insist further. That is where the broken glass comes from. And so the MLCouncil is more concerned about taking away the right of Maltese citizens to BBQ on their "public" beach then they are concerned about stopping the abusive kiosks and horrendous "licenced" beach party beasts with their monstrous loudspeakers. I invite the Mellieha mayor to come down for a "hobza biz-zejt" at least 50 metres away from any one of these loudspeakers. I bet you he won't eat it but swallow it. Hallina Local Council ! Mellieha Bay IS NOT the council's property.

Anna Farrugia

Jul 5th 2009, 11:36

About time - maybe people will come to realise their loss - or will they? A permit to hold a barbeque for any number of people should be required and not one for 15 and over. That way there's control over cleanliness and the Maltese people should learn how to keep their country clean. Sometimes I wonder how proud the Maltese are of their country! I really have my doubts!!