Church commission slams Ħondoq project

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 23rd 2010, 12:01

@Peter Vella. Have you any idea what you are talking about Peter or is it just a case of supporting the further rape of the Gozitan countryside?

Can I point out that I am a tourist so don't try and tell me what it is I come to Gozo for. I sure as hell don't come to see more concrete being poured over the island's natural beauty.

You talk about the fact that the area is deteriorating. This has been a known ploy by developers and landowners for years on Gozo and in Malta. Allow an area to deteriorate and then step in and offer to clean it up whilst of course building an apartment block or something. If the area is deteriorating then you clean it up, you don't build on it.

You also seem to think that this project will in some way help the job situation on Gozo. How exactly? The hotel will run at a loss for a couple of years and then be turned into apartments which will remain empty and the water will be ruined by boats. What a fantastic tourist attraction that will be!

Peter Vella

Jul 23rd 2010, 08:28

@James Tyrrell & C Vella
How many of the "great majority" that are against this project will be willing to pay more in taxes so that the funds are available to the government to "upgrade" the area or turn it into a "nature park". A very small minority I would say! Face reality, unless private investment is brought in ,Hondoq will continue deteriorating. There are many more serious priorities demanding government funds in any case (e.g. upgrading the roads, education, pensions etc...). If for you stopping the Hondoq project is "preserving its natural state" than you must be seeing something that I am not. If we want Gozo to attract tourists (not a few tree huggers but ones with real money to spend) and inject serious money into the Gozitan economy, this is the only way forward. If you prefer to bury your head in the sand and congratulate yourselves for "protecting the environment" then stop moaning about joblessness and the weak economy in Gozo.

Franco Farrugia

Jul 22nd 2010, 22:09

Who has given permission at Hondoq for another caravan village?

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 22nd 2010, 19:06

It is obvious from the comments in many papers from Maltese and Gozitans that the vast majority of people are against this project. Can I just say as a tourist that I am also 100% against any such development in the Hondoq area. I come to Gozo because of what nature has blessed it with not to see more concrete. Hondoq is a beautiful area, a gift from God to be enjoyed by all, not somewhere to be developed for the benefit of the few.

This area was supposed to be turned into a nature park and I agree fully with Astrid Vella and Moviment Harsien Hondoq that this is what should happen. The time has come for the Gozitan people to stand up for their rights because if they don't the financial rape of their island will continue down the same route as that taken on Malta.

I also agree that the church needs to take a similar stand on the Nadur cemetery issue, as this is a national disgrace.

C.Vella

Jul 22nd 2010, 18:33

@ Peter Vella:
why does it have to be an either or situation? can't the location just be given the upgrade it deserves and needs without going to the extreme of luxury five star hotels and apartments which have already taken over Malta, are the same mistakes going to be made for Gozo now as well?
The beauty and charm that Gozo is known for, surely has something to do with the fact that it is far more unspoilt than Malta, and this is what makes it such a unique destination to visit. Why do we have to copy the Amalfi Coast or anywhere else for that matter? Let's work on our uniqueness!

john mejlaq

Jul 22nd 2010, 17:30

@ all those who said that the church shouldn't get involved.


Why not?? She involved herself in the first place when the monks (which make part of the church) , sold the land for just a few money to the developers... and also sold the chapel. Yes that small old chapel was sold by the monks/... do you believe that?? Thanks to Ex Archpriest Dun Karm Refalo it was given to the Qala people.

The church should have done a press release months ago for the "genuine mistake" of the monks.


So mustn't they give their opinion? and why don't you want them to hear their voice what is the difference for you?

Peter Vella

Jul 22nd 2010, 16:33

Why should the church get involved in issues like this? This is not a moral or religious issue.

Also the argument of not having another Portomaso is totally false. What do we prefer having Portomasp and all the wealth it generated or having a lump of dirty rocks with no access to anyone as it was before? Do we want Hondoq ot remain as it is, with rusty ladders, and abandoned quarry, broken concrete and dirty sand so that a few spendthrift people can go swimming there for 3 months a year, or should we have modern, accessible, clean and attarctive facilites (probably at a price) and the possibility to generate some wealth and the related ongoing business that will come as a result of the proposed project? It is obvious that residents are goinf to oppose it as they do everywhere else, but does Hondoq belong to just the people of Qala? All Gozitans would benefit from sustainable development of the area, and this cannot be ignored because of some half-baked environmental protection argument.

Charles Micallef

Jul 22nd 2010, 16:32

I thought Churches were about religion !

A.Portelli

Jul 22nd 2010, 11:40

The Church commission authorities look like they want to be the guardian angel for Hondoq landscape, maybe this is to cover the controversy clergy abuse, if the Catholic Church want to be popular agane on this island She should roveke the permet of the Nadur cemetery befor it is to late the church is still in time to stop the destruction of nature created by clergy and the catastrophe of Ghajn Qasab landscape and its portabel ground water.