Marsaxlokk's appeal against power station extension starts being heard
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The Appeals’ Board of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority this afternoon started hearing Marsaxlokk council’s appeal against the permit given for an extension to the power station extension.
The council presented a brief overview of their testimony during the hearing but would be presenting their evidence in its entirety as an affidavit.
Engineer and Marsaxlokk resident Arthur Ciantar said that recommendations and suggestions given by the council regarding criteria to be used for the EIA had not all heeded.
These included important considerations such as the impact of noise and dust pollution on Marsaxlokk.
When the EIA was being prepared, emissions were monitored from Zejtun rather than Marsaxlokk and the noise assessment only studied the immediate vicinity of the power station and not the village, for example.
The council also objected to the emissions data given by BWSC, which according to the Lahmayer report had not been verified.
The hearing continues on May 5.
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Zillah Bugeja
Jan 28th 2011, 11:52
It's a shame that the neighbouring villages didn't get involved in this too. We are all affected by these toxins. We are breathing them in constantly. I have even been told that the acid rain has affected my car paintwork. Imagine what it is doing to our lungs.
It's about time that this north-south divide was erased from our minds - we are all affected by the toxins emanating from the 'North's' rubbish mountain as much as by the toxins from the power stations: they go into our air, soil, sea and drinking water. Can't we unite over our nation's health?
C. Gafa
Jan 28th 2011, 10:01
Unfortunately the government is totally neglecting the southern part of the island and is destroying its environment bit by bit. The Freeport extension, power station extension, bad state of the main roads and total abandonment is there for everyone to see. To add insult to injury, every now and then we are dripped with a slight improvement – like patching PART of the road connecting BBuga to Marsaxlokk – or after 20 years of promises the Marsaxlokk promenade will all the hiccups.
It is very sad to see fellow Maltese citizens that ignore the disastrous effects that this decision will bring; or try to justify it by talking about our need for more electrical power. This is complete nonsense. Better, cleaner alternatives do exist.
Well done Marsaxlokk council! This is an outright injustice that should not take place.
Stephen Mangion
Jan 28th 2011, 08:16
The PN turned Marsaxlokk and Birzebbugia into dumpsters. X Gharukaza.. Bhal dak li qallu li hemmhekk mhux nies ukoll jghixu
Maria Camilleri
Jan 27th 2011, 19:38
Mela dawn jaghtu widen lil xi hadd. Mhux li jridu jaghmlu.
Kenneth Williams
Jan 27th 2011, 18:42
Issa mhux ghalxejn.....ix xoghol beda u diga thallas nofsu.
John Vassallo
Jan 27th 2011, 17:49
Can the authorities send a warden to ST Anthony Street Zabbar between Triq it-Telliera and Triq is-Silla and take action against two big 40 foot or more Trailers that are parked DOUBLE PARKING or are wardens only there to give a ticket on trumped-up charges against small vehicles drivers? This has been happening constantly and it's about time the authorities wake up from their hibernation.
A Camilleri
Jan 27th 2011, 17:47
Just a case of two weights, two measures! Qui-Si-Sana residents protest against a car park and they get a garden & a newly made road. The South protests, but it still gets everything that no one wants in his backyard. Dr. Gonzi, anything else coming our way? Pity we never had any MP taking a really tough stand on the issues of the South, even though quite a no. of them live in the area. Maybe even they are afraid to fight lost battles! Just keep a note of this for the next election.
Dave Bonett
Jan 27th 2011, 17:32
Bl-istess argument tal-vici tas-sindku dwar id-drittijiet kostituzzjonali wiehed jista jargumenta li l-Kunsilli Lokali huma "il-lunga mano" tal-Gvern centrali u b'hekk parti mil-Gvern. Allura jista l-vici sindku jispjega kif organu tal-Gvern jista jfittex il-Gvern stess? Jekk hu parti minnu?
Albert Pace
Jan 27th 2011, 17:07
How can MEPA approve something it knows everyone is against (except the few who have other interests)?
Patrick Zahra
Jan 27th 2011, 17:03
The opposition is repeatedly and consistently saying that should it be elected it will power the Plant with the less polluting Diesel fuel with plans to convert it to Gas ASAP. 700 dissatisfied PN residents will be easy to find should this government continue threatening our health and environment ( 699 actually cause my vote is irrevocably lost!)
Anthony Taliana
Jan 27th 2011, 16:34
This government respects the laws of gravity....All rubbish goes downwards - down to the south!
E Galea
Jan 27th 2011, 16:58
You are right. You might have visited the south then......!
E Galea
Jan 27th 2011, 17:10
Just remember that when you travel to the south mate..................!
Joseph Calleja
Jan 27th 2011, 16:29
Again, hate to be the sceptic but this is a done deal and there is nothing much you can do to stop it. Marsaxlokk the plans are there, the millions of euros have already been spent and there is very little you can do except maybe, and that is a maybe, delay the project a bit. I don't envy the people of Marsaxlokk for fighting but try to pick your battles because this is a losing battle you are fighting. Try to look at this project as a positive for Marsaxlokk since it is going to be there anyway
E Galea
Jan 27th 2011, 17:01
Yes positive : you mean they are going to hand out an electric extension to the households?!?!? U halluna! But remember, what goes round, comes around!!!!!!!!
Joe Bonnici
Jan 27th 2011, 17:44
Joseph Calleja ghidilna fejn toqghod halli naraw ghalfejn qed tirraguna hekk.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 27th 2011, 22:31
@ Joe Bonnici
I am on your side. I am trying to tell you that ( this is a done deal) and nothing and nobody is going to change it. It's a shame and a pity but Mepa has already decided, remember that Mepa is the government. If it was in my backyard I would protest too. This is like when they decided to build a Roofless Opera House. The man said I have decided and that is how it is going to be. Your Local City Council should appeal to the EU because the Maltese Government has already made up it's mind, like they do on everything else.
Joanna Mangion
Jan 27th 2011, 16:24
As if MEPA is going to change its mind. On second thoughts....maybe it could, since now we have reformed MEPA! Lol
Sandro Tanti
Jan 27th 2011, 16:21
It's good to see that at least someone is still voicing the residents' opinion on this monstrosity project.
G Farrugia
Jan 27th 2011, 16:18
Din probabli se tkun decizjoni ohra biex taqdi l-interessi tal-ftit, kontra l-interess komuni.
Viva l-gid nazzjonali li l-partit taghna dejjem hadem ghalih fil-passat.
Addio patria!
Carmel Garcia
Jan 27th 2011, 15:43
Political appeal, that's it. You're wasting our taxes Mr M'Xlokk Mayor. We need the extension of the power station and so be it. Stop this non-sense.
P Vella
Jan 27th 2011, 16:14
Shows that you do not live in Marsaxlokk Mr Garcia...would you react in the same way if you had this smoke belching monstruosity in your back yard?
anthony pace gouder
Jan 27th 2011, 17:00
How pathetic. The DECISION will be taken by the Cabinet ! Who on Earth would believe that the Ministers and the PM , as the Clients on behalf of the people, would DARE NULLIFY this Project and eventually REPLACE with proper Enviornment Friendly Power Generating Equipment , when they are the actual Promoters of this 'bottom of the scale' energy generating Technology .
The PEOPLE's tax will be wasted on Transporting and shipment of the Toxic material and paying the Potential recieving Country (if any),besides the Cost on the ADDITTIONAL Health Assistance Required and other undesired effects that no matter the amount of money paid can ever recompensate the malady or loss suffered ! ....... and please note that NOBODY is AGAINST the Power Station Extension .
E Galea
Jan 27th 2011, 17:02
Iva siehbi, mela issa nghamlu il-waste recycling plants fin-north ta, u taraw kemm tidhqu!
Christopher Mamo
Jan 27th 2011, 19:31
The point is not the power station. Or its extension. Or the Marsa power station. Or the Freeport. Or the harbour industries. Or the Recycling plant. Or the Sewage treatment plant. Or SmartCity. Or Fish Farms. Or the Gas Reserves in Qajjenza. Or the ones at Has Saptan. Or any other project. The point is all of them together in such a small area.
Christopher Mamo
Jan 27th 2011, 20:33
mind you (adding to my comment), of course the extension would be at the Delimara site! Where else? But the crass insensitivity in general is astounding!
C.Spiteri
Jan 27th 2011, 20:45
The vast majority of M'Xlokkresidents went to live there after the Delimara power station was built. 10 years ago I was thinking of buying a house in M'Xlokk but did not do so due to the powerstation and also in view that there already was an ongoing discussion with regards to expanding the powerstation. So, most of the residents have only themselves to blame for going to live there.
A Camilleri
Jan 27th 2011, 15:38
I am correct to say that recent articles in the media confirmed that the equipment for the power station extension has already arrived in Malta?
Is it not rather late for MEPA then to hear any appeals?
Will this equipment be shipped back if MEPA decides against the extension? :)
as if ....... recycling plant ... case in point!
P Vella
Jan 27th 2011, 16:16
As if MEPA will decide against the extension!
Mark Agius
Jan 27th 2011, 15:27
You are just wasting time. Just puting spokes in the wheels of progress. When the lights go off I will be one of those who will call at your offices to give us light. Stop wasting the people;s time and money.
James Green
Jan 27th 2011, 16:25
Spoked wheels must have spokes. Maybe you mean sticks in spoked wheels......:-)
E Galea
Jan 27th 2011, 17:07
You seem very cultured about progress! And the decision is very wise yes, yes. ANd wasting the time and money, yes, yes. Now tell me wise man, oil prices are going UP UP UP AND UP. ANd we invest in a power station running on oil..........!
Christopher Mamo
Jan 27th 2011, 18:18
May we know your home, business interests and work addresses (towns would of course suffice), out of curiosity? We don't really care to know, of course, but the point is served I believe.
m.borg (slm)
Jan 27th 2011, 19:09
He's right putting spokes in the wheels because gonzipn still runs on stone age wheels.
M.Mifsud
Jan 27th 2011, 19:15
Sur Agius jekk ma tafx tikteb bil-Iingwa Ingliza tippruvax ghax jahasra taqa' ghac-cajt. Il-lingwa Ingliza halliha ghal min jaf jiktibha. "Just puting spokes in the wheels of progress" minn fejn gibtha din? Ghall-informazzjoni tieghek, Sur Agius, rota jkolla l-'ispokes' sabiex izzommu ic-cirku ta' barra maghqudin mal-fus. Pero' meta xi hadd ikun qed ifixxkel lil xi hadd ma nghidux li qed ipoggi l-'ispokes' fir-rota jew roti imma nghidu li jried jpoggi l-bsaten fir-roti. Ghalhekk meta fil-lingwa Ingliza nkunu jrriedu nghidu li xi hadd qed jipprova ifixxkel nghidu "merely trying to put sticks in a spoked wheel" jew jekk tkun tried tghida fil-plural "merely trying to put sticks in spoked wheels". Sur Agius tippermettili nghatik parir? Ma tahsibx li jkun ahjar jekk minflok ma toqghod tahli l-flus fuq "subscription" ta' l-"internet" u minflok ma toqghod tahli l-hin tikteb kummenti bil-lingwa Ingliza, li wara kollox barra li jkunu bla sugu u bla sens ikunu mcafallsin u miktubin b'Ingliz imxattar, tinvesti flusek u hinek fuq kors sabiex titghallem tikteb bil-lingwa Ingliza b'mod dicenti? Halli hekk ghalinqas jekk tikteb kummenti mimlijin cucati u bla sens almenu jkunu miktubin b-Ingliz tajjeb. X'tahseb Sur Agius? Ma taqbilx mieghi?