David Schembri
Ħondoq development 'must not harm seabed'
Northeast coast becomes protected marine area
Picture: Kurt Arrigo.
The proposed development at Ħondoq ir-Rummien could be affected by the planning authority's decision to register the site as part of a bigger marine protected area.
The area, spanning the northeast coast of the two islands, will be protected because it harbours a large amount of Posidonia oceanica seaweed, host to a range of biological life.
The authority's environment protection director, Martin Seychell, said any proposed development would now have to be subject to an appropriate assessment. If it was established that it would harm the natural habitat - in this case the seaweed - the project would not be allowed to go ahead unless there was overriding public interest at stake.
In the case of Ħondoq, this overriding public interest did not apply and the developers "would have to prove beyond doubt that the development will not harm the seabed," Mr Seychell said.
The €120 million development, a touristic and residential complex planned in a disused quarry and including a marina, has led to criticism from environmental NGOs and residents and was more recently slammed by the Church's Environment Commission.
Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco had said authorities could not afford to make any mistakes over the proposal to develop the pristine bay in Gozo. Ultimately it was a matter of weighing the advantages a marina may have against the impact on the environment of the specific locality where it was proposed, on marine life and the adjacent bay.
The area of Ħondoq falls under one of four new protected areas covering 18,000 hectares of marine environment, primarily identified to protect 80 per cent of Posidonia oceanica seaweed, known as Neptune's sea grass and perhaps less affectionately as alka by the Maltese.
Malta Environment and Planning Authority officer Christopher Cousin said that while the designated areas would enjoy a high degree of environment protection, this did not mean all activities happening or proposed to occur there would automatically be prohibited.
"It means that any proposed activity will have to be assessed in terms of the likelihood and significance of its impact on the biodiversity for which the site is protected."
Simpler activities such as swimming or rod fishing in marine protected areas will not be affected.
Other established legal activities in the area, such as fish farms, would be considered as stakeholders, and Mepa will be holding discussions with these parties to see how to best manage the sites.
Mepa has already suggested that fish farms be moved as far out from the shore as possible, Mr Seychell said.
In the future, these sites will also be managed, which could provide the key to start the reintroduction of species, such as the common turtle, without causing any harm.
Dr de Marco yesterday said this could also be a step to create more "green jobs" in site management, as well as preserve the country's marine heritage, which attracted more than 60,000 divers a year.
Malta's largest expanse of Posidonia is found along the northeast coast extending up to Gozo. This 15,519-hectare stretch of seabed has been protected, along with three smaller sites at Mġarr ix-Xini, Dwejra and an area between Għar Lapsi and Filfla, adding up to 18,000 hectares.
Posidonia is given special importance by the EU as it is in danger of disappearing. This habitat provides food and shelter for a large number of marine species, acts as a carbon sink and as a nursery to a lot of fish commonly caught in Maltese waters.
Mr Seychell said it was natural for the authority to extend its protection from land to sea, as the island's territory was 95 per cent sea, and it was also its duty to safeguard such a large part of the natural heritage.
The first marine Natura 2000 site in Malta was designated in 2008 when the authority granted protection status to the coastline along the area off the northwest coast of Malta, between Rdum Majjiesa and Ras ir-Raħeb.
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James A. Tyrrell
Aug 1st 2010, 18:51
@G Vella. The problem is that you are comparing chalk with cheese. The proposed Qala Creek development will cause major disruption for the people of Qala for years to come. Once completed it would also wipe the area off the tourist map as who in their right mind would want to go to look at the rich set in their boats or swim in the polluted waters. This proposed development would only benefit the rich boat owners and the initial developers and those in high places who would get their cut.
The alternative plans put forward by the students which I have seen would however turn the place into a major tourist attraction and would benefit all the people of Qala in particular as well as other Gozitans, Maltese and tourists who enjoy the area so much. Of course there would still be disruption for the people of Qala but it would be for their benefit in the long run rather than just a profit making exercise by some money hungry developer.
G Vella
Aug 2nd 2010, 20:32
:))
..and did the students include another road in their "plans" ?
Alison Bagley
Jul 31st 2010, 21:01
NO to ANY disturbance at Hondoq!
Developers, go & mess up your own back yard.
Paul Buttigieg
Jul 31st 2010, 19:51
This is good news for all of us trying to save this bay for future generations .
But we need to remember that Qala Creek is not only the Yacht Marina ( which I have been opposing from day 1) Remember also that there is another village being planned in such a small area .Can you imagine all the consequences this will create to the local comunity where the main road is only 4.2 mitres wide?
How about the local plan when it was changed behind the local council's back.
There are alternative plans for that area which were done by 3rd year university students .If these plans are to be implemented Hondoq will be a Jewel for our islands and will certainly fit with the Eco Gozo concept
Paul Buttigieg
G Vella
Aug 1st 2010, 14:41
Paul,
if the "alternative plans for that area which were done by 3rd year university students to be implemented,"
" can you imagine all the consequences this will create to the local community where the main road is only 4.2 meters wide? "
Anglu Xerri
Jul 31st 2010, 17:37
The Posidonia medows at Hondoq where much larger about 65 years ago but when the Imgarr breakwater was built the developer took all the stones from the beautiful rim rock that existed then which until today the rain water washes away the loose sand that buried part of the meadows. The second problem was when the distiller was built which made the water warmer and this not only killed some Posidonia but also killed all the rock sea grass around the Hondoq Bay area today. The sea grass is slowly growing again I am not a scientist, but many years before all this construction, in early spring, many farmers use to pick many loads of dried Posidonia grass ( alka) for their fieds and as base for the animal stables. During the winter the rough sea used to bring it into the bay big piles of it. Today there is still some of it comes on the beach but not as much as it used to. The Posidoia was the breeding grass for many fish in this area and the fishing was very good those days. This is why Hondoq must not be developed and suffer yet another desaster.
Charles Sammut
Jul 31st 2010, 17:08
Mr Tyrrell happens to be spot on. Hondoq has become the last frontier..and if it goes nothing on the Maltese Islands will be safe any more. Insanity as defined by Einstein is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. We recently saw the closing of l-Andar and Imgarr Hotels and of course Gozo is full of empty flats. So why should a pristine and magical Bay like Hondoq be taken away so that speculators can rake in some extra cash and deprive all of us that enjoy Hindoq to the detriment of the environment? Yes indeed why. Of course the Minister that gave us the Eco Gozo slogan never utters a word regarding Hondoq. One cannot be promoting Eco Gozo while sitting on the sidelines while the future of Hondoq is in the hands of Mepa who rarely rules in favor of the environment.
Victor Borg
Jul 31st 2010, 16:29
Do bear in mind that MEPA is an instrument of the government (the government appoints the majority of members on its board, hence ensuring the government always has a majority). We also have to remember that MEPA changed the local plan as regards Hondoq, and such change could be part of the process paving the way for the development to take place. So there is a chance that this news is also part of the 'process' - that a permit will be issued once it is established that the yacht marina will not harm the seagrass.
If the government - MEPA - is serious about environment and society, then it will simply reject this application.
There might be scope for a new yacht marina in Gozo, and common sense says it should be placed in Marsalforn or Qbajjar, places that are already developed. Then again, these bays also have posidonia beds - and this is what leads me to think that this news is simply part of the ploy to give a permit at Hondoq.
So we need to continue fighting this project with all means.
Lawrence Camilleri
Jul 31st 2010, 14:47
Good news for Hondoq. Let us not forget the jewel called Ramla il-Hamra whose fate is still in the balancing act. Is now the calm before the storm? Enough dilly dallying has been allowed in this case and am afraid that Ramla will be sacrificed as a balance to Hondoq's refusal. And that would be tragedy for Gozo.
James A. Tyrrell
Jul 31st 2010, 14:31
I agree with Astrid Vella that this is certainly a good sign that MEPA are at last waking up and smelling the coffee with regard to the never-ending onslaught of development on Malta and Gozo. The proposed Hondoq development if allowed to proceed would be the thin end of the wedge and would indeed spell the beginning of the end for Gozo.
I hate to sound dramatic but Hondoq is where the battle for Gozo begins and ends. Hondoq is where we find out if the authorities actually believe in the term Eco Gozo or whether they once again collapse under the weight of development money and put upfront profit before the environment.
It is not just the people of Qala who are awaiting the outcome of this decision but all the Gozitan people and Maltese and tourists who love the area. The world will never forgive the Maltese Government if it casts aside it's responsibilities in this matter.
Joe Morana
Jul 31st 2010, 14:00
To all those contemplating any sort of development of the Hondoq ir-Rummien area: Hands off Hondoq!
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Jul 31st 2010, 11:55
Ftit ilu, ftit passi boghod, hallew il-lukanda Mgarr tinbidel f'residenzi ghax ma hawnx suq. Issa jridu jgharrqu bicca ohra ODZ biex taparsi jibnu lukanda u iktar appartamenti xi jzidu mal-ghexieren ta' eluf li hawn vojta. Kull progett li jniedu jahtaf art ODZ. Dan wara li ftit ilu kabbru iz-zoni moghtija ghall-izvilupp biex isewwu anomaliji [sic]. Issa joholqu anomaliji godda biex ikollhom skuza jergghu jibdlu l-linji ODZ. Hawwadni ha nifhmek, jew fihmti, qed inhawwad.
J. Bugeja
Jul 31st 2010, 11:53
Hondoq ir-Rummien is best left as it is. It's ours (maltese) after all why doesn't a vote come up then and see who wins? I think that some need to remember that money is not everything.
MEpa should take the wise decision, cause once this natural beauty is touched nothing will ever bring it back, like everything that has been ruined already. The diamond in the middle of the meditteranean is not as shiny as it used to be.
Charles Sammut NY USA
Jul 31st 2010, 11:53
Amazing how the wishes of the locals so clearly expressed in a refendum have less of an effect than some see weeds. Anyway it is very encouraging news to hear that maybe Hondoq will be saved and spared. Weed or no weed Hondoq is a very beautiful Bay enjoyed by so many.... and to have it taken away absolutely makes no sense. Gozo already has an abundance of empty flats and failed Hotels..Hopefully the threat of Hondoq's demise will be put to rest forever.. And may I suggest that the street leading to Hondoq be renamed Posidonia street. It would be so fitting..
A Mercieca
Jul 31st 2010, 11:44
Good News. Stop the over development in Gozo. There are already 10000 vacant premises and empty five/four star hotels in Gozo. Why this development ? It is the ruin of Gozo.
c galea
Jul 31st 2010, 11:36
Hondoq must be for everyone not for the few .If this project get`s the approval from Mepa we would have lost another jewel from Gozo and for what .SO THE RICH GETS RICHER
Hondoq must be protected at all costs
Edward Camilleri
Jul 31st 2010, 11:12
It is very good news indeed, finally, though project is still pending, this is a step in the right direction. We cannot continue development just for the sake of more development. If the marina creates problems to the marine environment, which I have no doubt, it should not be allowed.
Besides the marina, any large development which will attract many visitors, is bound to create problems for the bay. Such a small bay cannot withstand so many visitors.
Steve Zammit
Jul 31st 2010, 11:01
Just leave Hondoq bay alone with such madness of a development. Shame that we even think of such crazy ideas.
D. Farrugia
Jul 31st 2010, 10:39
Hondoq development must not be allowed. Period.
david debattista
Jul 31st 2010, 10:01
It is the same old record and we all know it , A PLAY OF WORDS. As soon as you touch Hondoq it is gone and we are sick with this situation were the building industry always have the upper hand. Is it not enough that Malta,s environment is ruined . If you want to maintain a certain level of employment you must look for other options but stop this madness of finding your solutions through this rape of our small islands. You should not even consider such a development in areas such as Hondoq and possibly Ramla knowing very well of the present situation we all face in Malta. I feel disgusted, ashamed , and wounder what the faith for Gozo is going to be like in the very near future. We are sick with the abuse of our small, very small islands Dr Demarco, and the fact that the building industry is turning it,s eyes towards Gozo should send alarm bells ringing. Stop this madness, Gozo is the only escape left for all of us considering what we have done to Malta. Leave it for our KIDS.
Astrid Vella
Jul 31st 2010, 10:28
The fact that Hondoq is included in the protected area is very good news. MEPA seems to be getting on the right track at last. The Authorities need to keep in mind that even without the Marina, the eastern coast of Gozo will be doomed if the hotel and villas project is allowed, as developers have set their sights on all the coast facing Comino and once one permit is out, the ribbon development will simply follow.
We count on MEPA to do the right thing.
charlie mizzi
Jul 31st 2010, 13:16
I AM HAPPY FOR THE PEOPLE OF QALA FOR GOOD IN NEWS THE NO DEVELOPMENT IN HONDOQ-IR-RUMMEN . NO YACHT MARINA
CHARLIR MIZZI THANKYOU.