Saga of Dwejra interpretation centre set to take new turn
The saga of the proposed building of an interpretation centre at scenic Dwejra, in San Lawrenz, Gozo, takes another turn tomorrow when the Mepa board considers amendments to a permit issued in 2006.
The Authority in 2008 had stopped the building of a structure at the edge of the ridge overlooking the 'inland sea' because it did not conform to the original plans.
The concrete frame of the structure has since then stood abandoned, a symbol of uncertainty about the way ahead.
Environment NGOs had insisted that this was a 'monstrosity' and an eyesore which needed to be removed.
The proposal before the Mepa board tomorrow is aimed at improving the visual impact of the development through a partial demolition of the structure. The concrete pillars of the top floor will now be removed and replaced by a smaller wooden structure, making it look like a terrace.
The building will house the interpretation centre and ancillary facilities, including a restaurant.
Mepa had, between 1998 and 2000, turned down three applications for the building of a restaurant at Dwejra.
In 2006, it approved the Qawra-Dwejra Heritage Park.
Qawra Tower, on the way down to Dwejra, was identified as the site of the interpretation centre, but that was later dismissed because the tower is not accessible for people with special needs.
In terms of a Dwejra Life Project, work then started on the concrete structure which was to have the interpretation centre on its ground floor and a restaurant on top.
Nature Trust, which was coordinating the Heritage Park project, was among NGOs that complained that the structure was too big and not in line with the original plan, and work was stopped and abandoned to this day.
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Lara Cilia
Mar 18th 2010, 13:27
When the visitors come to this center are they going to tell them that the bay near Fungus rock is badly contaminated fromSan Lawrens Cemetery?.
lesley kreupl
Mar 17th 2010, 18:16
This saga has been going on for years and the site currently looks like a badly run garbage-tip. I personally have written at least ten letters on the subject over the years and have lost count of the comments – all to no avail. I was at Dwejra this afternoon enjoying the sun and beautiful view (in the direction of the sea) one simply can't look in the other direction without feeling nauseous! A lively group of Swiss rock climbers had just come off the rock face and were commenting on what a super climb they had had, how spectacular the scenery was, but what a pity it was such a mess on ground level. What do you think their comments to other rock climbers will be? Does nobody CARE on this island? The place is such a mess that the wonderful 'topless' bus didn't even stop!
@Ivan Cassar: The blemish certainly cannot be missed – by anyone! But perhaps there is such a thing about sharing a pie? A lot of people have sticky fingers, especially when it comes to prime ODZ property!
The monstrosity or 'Dwejra disaster' as I nickname it, should be removed forthwith!
D. Farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 17:53
Clearly a case of private benefits taking precedence over public interest and needs. Even the concept of having an interpretation centre is a bad idea, let alone an interpretation centre plus restaurant. A couple of multilingual unobtrusive interpretation panels would have sufficed. Besides, visitors are already very well served with the existing mobile kiosks and the cafe'. It's not like anyone is going to starve to death or dehydrate while at Dwejra!! There is absolutely no justification for this project. If Mepa really cares about the environment, rather than hide behind the farcical Heritage Park Management Plan, it would seek to reinstate the site to its previous condition! A revised permit does NOT justify this needless project.
Anthea Bezzina
Mar 17th 2010, 17:24
The Qala local council, with regards to Hondoq ir-rummien was very vociferous and seems to have gotten somewhere. The San Lawrenz local council, to whom Dwejra appertains, is singularly absent. Knowing its political orientation, we wonder why that is.
M Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 16:07
Malta has been ruined by developers rampant abuse. Now they turned their attention on Gozo it seems. Gozitans do not let them turn Gozo into another Malta.
marco meli
Mar 17th 2010, 14:51
what's next? some poshy flats with an original design? thanks mepa, we really appreciate !
Steve M. Engerer
Mar 17th 2010, 14:23
What about 'Dwejra Inland Sea Village' as it is developing into!!
It is disgusting the way boat rooms are mushrooming in what is supposed to be an inland sea c/w pebbles beach.
I took some of my foreign friends to view site as they had voted for Dwerja to be included in the 'New wonders of the World'
Their comment was that if they knew what shambles the site is in with all the boat houses covering the pebble beach they would absolutely not voted for Dwejra..
ECO Ghawdex my foot!!
Anthony Borg
Mar 17th 2010, 13:33
Why are people in this blog complaining about environmental matters?
Did the Maltese (and Gozitans) ignor the Greens during elections and continue to opt for the PN PL ?
So this is it. Please stop this 'gemgem' and let it be.
Lawrence Fenech
Mar 17th 2010, 13:33
xi krua, hottuh.
A. Said
Mar 17th 2010, 12:29
the same story always repeats itself in malta. L ewwel ibni, kisser u farrak imbaghad naraw. b xi mod jew iehor l permess johrog imbaghad hux. ladarba tkun bdejt hux !!!!
joe micallef
Mar 17th 2010, 12:06
It doesnt matter what any body say its what Mepa says they are the experts to ruin every site in Malta and Gozo for me Mepa its like a dictator they control and do whatever they want it doesnt matter how much the community object its wrong because the country public places especially a place like Dwejra belong to the community and if the magority say no not to built any thing it should be pulled down and cleaned and bring it to its original state.
Ivan Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 12:00
This is what happens when something that should have been left to Nature Trust to plan was taken over by government. MEPA at least stopped the offending development and is trying to save the savable. But and environmental sensitive visitors / interpretation center should have been located on the land already ruined by that shameful car-park. That a beautiful site be ruined by those who are supposed to be protecting it is ridiculous.
And where is the omnipresent Giovanna Debono in all this? There are few things that escape her in Gozo. I wonder how such a large blemish could have been missed by her and her people.
sciortino m
Mar 17th 2010, 11:47
@daniel russell.
Thanks. In other words this is going to be a Museum, presumably by Heritage Malta. Which other museum in Malta has a restaurant. There are none at Mnajdra, Hagar Qim, Hypogeum, Tarxien temples, Ghar Dalam etc. Couldn't Heritage Malta build something less obtrusive?
Sabrina Borda
Mar 17th 2010, 10:59
Apart from those arrogant people who are in no way consciense-stricken to preserve the islands surroundings yet continue to build such brutish buildings, I feel sympathetic to those people all over the Islands who's enhanced homes now have blocked views, not only reducing the value of the properties but altering their very spirited lifes.
Only those who truely care about the value of our islands and others lives have the courage and the will to do what is right.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Mar 17th 2010, 10:57
Just look at the mess in the photo. This is exactly what the site looked like when I last visited in September. What a sight to greet the tourists when they start walking down to the sea! Is this the way to attract tourists? Is it possible nobody bothered to force the owner to remove all that rubbish?
G Psaila
Mar 17th 2010, 11:22
Forget the tourists!! What about us? Shame
P. Schembri
Mar 17th 2010, 10:56
Another loophole in the making! Ma tidholx mil-bieb, tidhol mit-tieqa!
P. Camilleri
Mar 17th 2010, 10:36
shame on MEPA! the government created a monster which it cannot control.
Victor Laiviera
Mar 17th 2010, 10:17
MEPA reform? What MEPA reform?
This monstrosity should be removed - removed, not amended or camouflaged - immediately.
Nothing else will do.
P. Mifsud
Mar 17th 2010, 09:43
Why is there a need for an interpretation centre? This is just an excuse to jusify the opening of a restaurant. The whole structure should be pulled down and bring the site to its original state. Otherwise we will lose what is left of the natural beauty of Dwejra.
Dennis Zammit
Mar 17th 2010, 09:42
I do not know why all this panic about the concrete structure after all, it is only the structure which will be filled and/or covered when the building is ready.
On the other hand, I cannot understand why all the NGOs and environmental organizations especially Gozitan groups have never mentioned the covering of almost ALL the inland sea's pebble beach with concrete to create personalized slipways when one centralized slipway could do all the job?
It is easy to choose what to criticize when major problems are so visible to everyone but NO ONE dares speak up.
Christopher Grainger
Mar 17th 2010, 09:41
A restaurant with a view apparently
Raymond Cini
Mar 17th 2010, 09:38
When an area is considered, proposed, and declared to be a zone of conservation and no development, and when it is also declared as a world heritage area,It should remain as it was. No one is allowed to develope anything especially those who are meant to protect it. There are alot of empty spaces at San Lawrenz village which can be used as an interpretation center. Anyone can get all the information needed to tour the area. There is no need to do such a monstrosity to build a structure which definitely is not Conservation of World Heritage.
J Farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 09:27
Tajru kull binja li hemm f'dawk l-inhawi u thallu ebda restaurant isir hemmhekk. Min irid igib gabbana mobbbli. Huwa ghajb ghall-gvern li jinbnew dawk l-inhawi bi skuza ta' centru ghall-vizitaturi. Jekk hemm xi bazuzlu li jrid jaghmel somma flus mir-restaurant imur jixtri gabbana mobbli. U mhux jinqeda bi flus il-poplu biex isir miljunarju.
Neville Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 09:12
Why isnt the title of the article: " Saga of Dwejra RESTAURANT set to take new turn " ?
No comment.
Pamela Hansen
Mar 17th 2010, 09:07
Is not this photo a perfect example of how ineffectual MEPA is?
Why was this monstrosity allowed to stand?
victor vella
Mar 17th 2010, 08:54
u xorta ser jiehu permess ta restaurant hej
sciortino m
Mar 17th 2010, 08:53
By the way, what is an interpretation centre?
Daniel Russell
Mar 17th 2010, 10:39
@sciortino m
An interpretation centre is designed so that the visitor can read the history of the monument etc which is the subject of the visit (in this case, how Dwerjra was formed (by processes of erosion) and the inland sea and fungus rock etc, and the whole area) and then it may have toilets, a cafe, gift shop and visitor information etc.
Hope this helps! I know it will be a great addition in the area for visitors.