Austin Sammut
Hands off Balluta!
Balluta was my home for 28 years until I moved on in life and abode. These were happy years both as a child and then as a teenager. Traffic in the early years was scarce and we would play football in the street without too much interference.
We also played football and many other games in the quaint square around the fountain that marks the supply of water to Sliema, having been moved there from St Anne Square. The wooden kiosk has always been there and, unlike many structures in other localities, has remained untouched. The square still is the recreation area it always was for people of all ages, especially during the summer evenings. It is relatively cool with a breeze usually blowing down the valley towards the sea and vice versa.
Balluta is also marked by the famous Balluta Buildings, the Carmelite church in its third edition and the small terraced houses by its sides. Over the years there has been some substantial, often unwelcome development around the bay but the square itself has retained its tranquillity. Some shops, peaceful in their nature, have opened; a couple of restaurants, a plant and pet shop, a pharmacy and so on.
A number of catering outlets have been established opposite the church on the other side of the bay. On the whole, the locality has, however, retained its character. A number of elegant villas have thankfully been scheduled and will stay.
Then, a bombshell. We read that the St Julians local council has applied to construct a car park under the square and set up some sort of bus terminus. This will go a long way towards destroying the peaceful environment of a square and an area, which is the largest open, recreational space around. Why? Is this really necessary?
Parking is a problem everywhere on the island nowadays but, save for a couple of summer months, it has been manageable in Balluta and its surroundings, especially now that a hotel has developed an underground car park and provides a parking lot on its other side. The problems with parking exists further into St Julians, starting from the Spinola area. Why not develop a car park there? I appeal to the mayor and the local council to let Balluta be.
A few political themes.
I followed with interest Joseph Muscat's speech in Żabbar the other day. The new-look PL leader spent most of his time criticising the Prime minister and the government, and certainly there is quite a lot to criticise, and then went on to propose his famous 10 points. All very attractive, but Dr Muscat must put his money where his mouth is. Most of his points require a decrease in government revenue or increased spending. How is the shortfall to be made up and revenue increased? A reference, of course, was made to water and electricity tariffs, with a suggestion that they be capped. Now, all well and good, but surely he is aware that the price of oil is rising substantially? How is this to be financed?
If the government subsidises water and electricity consumption, then the national deficit will increase.
On the other hand, if the increase in the price of oil is passed on to the consumer then there will be more hardship. What is Dr Muscat's solution to this? What does he propose? It is so easy to criticise and list points when you have no burden of responsibility.
It is obvious that the Leader of the Opposition has no solution. He has such a long way to go to prove himself. He will, no doubt, say that he will address issues when he becomes Prime Minister. But to get there he must convince the people beforehand that he can manage the country responsibly.
And, by the way, it is interesting to note that Dr Muscat has taken on Eddie Fenech Adami's slogan of Is-Sewwa Jirbaħ Żgur (truth will prevail) and uses the call "ħbieb tiegħi" (friends). If this is a sign of originality then he has failed the test miserably. We await the time when he starts his speeches with "Ħuti Maltin u Għawdxin" (my Maltese and Gozitan brothers).
On a final point, I call upon the government to set up an investigation on the famous Lockerbie incident as it is being called upon to do by international sources. The whole can of worms is set to be opened up again and we must do our best to clear once and for all the smear that we will continue to besmirch us.
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C S Staines
Nov 5th 2009, 08:11
In this blog, some are stating that we must not stop progress. I agree, we must not stop progress - especially progress directed towards improving the standard of living of Malta's present and future generation. This is certainly not achieved by building a terminus!!! The only progress that Malta needs to invest in is that directed at returning open spaces to the public, otherwise we will just end up with one large ugly 'un-planned' concrete island. This my fellow citizens is the only way forward!
Victor Ross
Nov 3rd 2009, 20:19
@ Joanne Pace
Hadd ma jrid il-pulizija wara biebu. Punto e basta!!!! Where were u when the whole rape of Malta was going on? But hands off Balluta Square where parking or even driving a car has become a nightmare and the council seems to be doing something in the right direction. U halluna!!!!!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2009, 19:40
@ Joanne Pace - I suggest that you improve on your comprehension skills. My point missed you altogether!
d.attard
Nov 3rd 2009, 18:28
re balluta bay, i fully agree. Any underground car park should run beneath the 'square' between manwel dimech and it-telgha tal-kirxa'. This would allow for a comfortable link to the main narrow main road along sea-side.
Re capping of W&E-this is also being proposed by important business bodies. Forward buy now for 12 months-plus to ensure stable prices. no extra cost for government other than current cost of inefficiencies that grew over the years (one of many many reason why this government is way past its sell-by date). When you go on a muscat bashing i suggest you do so on some argument that may have a sound technical basis.
alexander pace gouder
Nov 3rd 2009, 17:18
Austin you were very right in your article. I as a member of SAVE BALLUTA SQUARE GROUP state again that our aim and motto is that Balluta Square and its surrounding remain as they are in their NATURAL BEAUTY. We agree that there are Parking Problems but this will not be solved with a Car Park to accomodate 120cars only and as we understand and one of the questions being raised: loose about 40 Car Spaces round the square and sides surrounding the square to make way for this project and the other project THE GREEN URBAN BUS PROJECT. This will therefore solve a paking problen for 80Cars.A bigger car park somewhere else in St.Julians and does not damage the envorment will solve the parking problem.------- (((With regard to problems in the SOUTH Myself and all our group FULLY AGREE THAT THE PROBLEMS YOU MENTIONED should be solved. YOU HAVE OUR FULL BACKING as we are ready to support all that is good for MALTA but we are also fully out to defend our LOVELY NATURAL SQUARE. SAHHA MIL QALB LIL DAWK HUTNA TAS SOUTH.
Joseph Meli
Nov 3rd 2009, 17:04
As a former resident of Ballutta Bay, (Main Street) I Do not agree with those who said that the mayor had the right to go ahead. but even so, a public consultation should have been first effected and then decide.
In my opinion tal-Ballut trees have to be preserved and are also protected if I am not mistaken. However, in my opinion it would be much better if for parking facilities one could use the last bit of the field in the Valley of Ballutta which is next to the public toilets.
In my opinion I suggest to open an epetition with www.maltanetworkresources.com as the one that was recently organized by those who are against the Enzo Piano Valletta plan, which is also on the face book and signed by hundreds nearly a thousand persons.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Nov 3rd 2009, 16:46
Joanne Pace: I certainly cannot be accused of just talkng and not doing anything to save our environment. I have wasted so much time and effort stopping the building of a power sub-station outside mu doorstep in one of the few remaining open spaces; we had to beat off the building of large numbers of flats in Balzan where they should never be built and I have attended various demonstrations against planned destruction of the Maltese countryside. It therefore offends me when these so called opinion makers speak up only when plans efect their neck of the woods and either shut up or even worse try to ridicucle those who speak up on other projects. You are right: we need to stop Malta being turned into a concrete jungle - but we need to speak up against each project that threatens to so. We need to put our political leanings aside in such cases.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Nov 3rd 2009, 14:04
"On the whole, the locality has, however, retained its character."
Not quite Austin, have you forgotten the lovely view opposite your childhood home. Tranquil fields, buzzing bees and evergreen carobs. Take a look at what replaces such a lovely view today.
A MONSTROUS CONCRETE BUILDING THAT NO ONE EVER OBJECTED TO!
AND IF THAT DOES NOT SUFFICE, ANOTHER SUCH MONSTROSITY IS REPLACING WHAT ONCE WAS A BEAUTIFUL OLD COUNTRY DWELLING.
Really I cannot agree to all the fuss over an underground development that after completion will see to the square being reinstated to its current glory.
Have you ever tried parking around Balluta recently to judge whether such parking is necessary.
I am quite sure you agree about there being a difference between necessity and pure uncontrolled development by the same few that seem to get away with anything.
JOANNE PACE
Nov 3rd 2009, 13:59
mr ross and mr farrugia, i can tell u never fought for your neck of the woods, u just sit and critisize others, why should malta become one large restaurant, cafe, terminus.what ever. When ever there is a nice square open and peaceful theres money to be made, its not progressand moving with the times its greed. I can list a thousand things that would improve and modernize balluta, but with good taste ,and with peoples leisure and comfort IN MIND first. DONT JUST TALK AND CRITISIZE DO !
J.Borg
Nov 3rd 2009, 13:40
How come people like Austin Sammut never shed a tear when projects affecting the south, waste serve, power station, incinerator,etc,etc.
But when it comes that a square is identified as aparking place they erupt.
A parking would be ideal at that place as it will decrease cars from being parked in the street and will generate more revenue to the businesses in that area.
Victor Ross
Nov 3rd 2009, 12:41
Oh so as not to disturb or confuse in anyway Dr.Sammut's and Ms. Pace's romantic childhood nostalgia everything must stand still . "Hands off Balluta" How dare you Mr.Mayor !!!!!!This reminds me of all the nostalgic comments re the Opera House. Come on ladies and gents move on with times please !!!!!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2009, 12:23
Why do I get the feeling that according to the author, it is fine to destroy any part of the Maltese countryside, but when it s close to home, it s a totally different story. Hmmm.....
laurence schembri
Nov 3rd 2009, 12:05
For once I agree with you. I urge the nearby residents and all those who enjoys the only open space in St. Julians to fight with all their might.
J.Borg
Nov 3rd 2009, 11:43
For me the mayor is right to go ahead with this project.
Yes it will be good to have an underground parking in the area.
I fully agree with the project
joanne pace
Nov 3rd 2009, 10:22
PROSIT AUSTEN ,SO MANY LOVELY MEMORIES ,WE MUST NOT LET ANYONE DESTROY THEM AND OUR CHILDRENS FUTURE