Environment NGOs urge Mepa to protect Qala valley

t zarb

Feb 14th 2010, 10:28

We should be proud of our environment NGOs for their indefatigable efforts to keep our natural heritage as unspoilt as possible.

D. Farrugia

Feb 14th 2010, 09:40

I fully agree with the comments posted before mine, well except perhaps for Mr. Joseph Grech's assertion that board members are accountable. At present they are not, take the case of Il-Wied tal-Marca/Bahrija -- they resigned and got away scott free. And permits were issued within an area that on paper is afforded the highest levels of protection. Is there a conspiracy against Tal-Marca/ Ta' Marga toponyms?!! Come on MEPA stop taking us all for a ride. We simply have had enough. What happend to sustainable development and sustainability in general? What is wrong with this country? Stop raping what little is left of our natural heritage for the the benefit of the elite few. What happened to valley protection policies of the Structure Plan (RCO 28 and RCO 29) which MEPA is duty bound to enforce? Have they been scrapped too along with the promise of a reform?

Joseph Grech

Feb 14th 2010, 02:26

Slowly but remorselessly Gozo's environment is being speculated, abused and uglified - the way Sliema's and Bugibba's have been irremediably negatively affected.
It is all too easy for speculators to seek financial gain - they do not care about the mess they ''create'' for present and future generations.
Mepa's DCC Boards need to heed this point: they are the guardians of our environment and err very seriously if they issue permits without themselves visiting the sites and seeing for themselves what the permit they may issue will result in. They are accountable and will be held responsible for their decisions. They need to explain their decisions fully to the Maltese and Gozitans.
Gozitans - including Local Council and the Ministry for Gozo NEED to protect Gozo's environment if they wish to see tourists returning to the island.

lesley kreupl

Feb 13th 2010, 20:44

How is it possible after all the recent scandals relating to the development of property in ODZ areas that the DCC board of MEPA has the gall to try and apply for approval of yet another, not one, but TWO such developments?
The fact that the new cemetery in Nadur has already destroyed the water course system in an important agricultural valley – despite the warning of experts and local farmers - should be an alarm signal that we have to be careful with our resources! Most of the valleys in Gozo have been polluted in the past by sewage outlets, surely it should be of prime importance to preserve the few 'clean' valleys left?
Gozo already has far too many empty, desolate building shells and half-constructed apartments and villas. How many more do we need? Just take a walk in Victoria, Xlendi or Marsalforn! I realize that the building/construction industry is of prime importance to the economy, but before we destroy more green areas why can't we refurbish what already exists?
The development of the Ta' Marga Valley must not be allowed under any circumstances.
Shame on MEPA and shame on the Prime Minister who promised so much!

James A. Tyrrell

Feb 13th 2010, 19:44

Are the present Government and MEPA determined to totally ruin the Maltese islands forever? Is that their plan, to totally scar every beautiful area with concrete? What the hell does either Malta or Gozo need with another apartment block given the fact that there are thousands of properties standing empty at the present time?

If this development is given the go ahead it will be a clear message that the Government has sold out to the developers and that they are fully behind the further rape for profit of the islands. For God’s sake wake up and put an end to this wanton destruction once and for all before it is too late.

Charles Sammut

Feb 13th 2010, 18:24

As long as MEPA is allowed to rule on these projects which are not environmentally friendly I would be extremely worried. MEPA has a bad record and the instances where they rule for the protection of the environment are very few and far in between. The developers who only care about cashing in and enriching themselves with total disregard of preserving the environment seem to have a great ally in MEPA. Of course conspicuously silent again is the Minister of Gozo. She loves th keep echoing the term ECO Gozo and something tells me she is more fond of the resonating aspect of the term than anything to do with the Ecology.. I wonder how much longer will she be able to fool all the people all the time.