NGO's welcome TM's recommentation on Hondoq
Transport Malta's recent recommendation to the planning authority to refuse the proposed alternative route to service the application for the building of a yacht marina, hotel and 250 flats and villas at Hondoq ir-Rummien has been welcomed by a number of environmental organisations.
The organisations - Moviment Harsien Hondoq, the Qala Council, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers, Nature Trust, Din L-Art Helwa, Friends of the Earth, Wirt Ghawdex, Greenhouse Malta, Ghaqda Universita Ghawdxin and Youth for the Environment, said in a statement that common sense had finally prevailed.
"It is indeed heartening to note that just as the Environment Directorate found the EIA biased in favour of the project, TM also concluded that there are serious shortcomings in the Traffic Impact Statement," it said.
The organisations said that the traffic count was flawed by way of the location where it was carried out, far out of the Qala village core, when in reality the project would generate unacceptable additional traffic in the centre of Qala.
T proposed traffic scheme was also inadequate.
The NGOs invited those who had not yet signed a petition to save Hondoq to do so at: http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/ .
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Mr James Tyrrell
Sep 16th 2011, 13:53
Given that 85% of the people of Qala are against this development, the majority of Gozitans and Maltese who love the bay are against it, MEPA’s own Environmental Directorate are against it and now Transport Malta have spoken out against it the only logical decision for MEPA to take is to ban any such development from taking place and to issue a protection order to ensure that such applications do not come up again in the future. The people have fought long and hard to preserve Hondoq and hopefully all the hard work and long hours put in by Paul and Carmen Buttigieg of the SOS Hondoq Campaign and all the NGO’s involved is now proving fruitful.
Joseph Borg
Sep 16th 2011, 13:30
I really cannot understand this country (Especially gozitan).
They complain that they are short of tourists, no employement opportunities, their business do not produce enough cash, etc,etc....
Of all a sudden, they want to stop investment from developing in Gozo just because TM cannot find an alternative to traffic.
Come on, if needs be, build a new bypass. Is it possible that we are so short-sighted. Why all this hesitation to get Gozo up and running as a PROPER tourist attraction. If someone thinks that Gozo is attracting tourist just becuase they have rocks and grass, then forget it; Bye bye Gozo.
Mr James Tyrrell
Sep 16th 2011, 13:52
You sound like a developer Joseph. If you really want to screw things up for Gozo then build your stupid marina for the few rich boat owners who will come to use it because it will certainly not be affordable for any Gozitan or Maltese boat owners unless of course they are developers! Hondoq is one of the last unspoilt areas on the island and one of the best places to swim on the island and you think it's okay to destroy that just so some rich developer can get richer?
Ms C Galea
Sep 16th 2011, 13:53
And where do you suggest a bypass is made? In the middle of another ODZ area?
Obviously you never speak to the tourists that visit Gozo. If you did they will all tell you the same thing. They visit Gozo because of its natural beauty and are staying away from Malta because it has become all built up!!
Yes Gozo needs jobs to be created but not in the construction industry and end up with more empty property!!
There are many jobs that could be created, one example IT and there would be no need for more land to be taken.
Mr John J Borg
Sep 16th 2011, 19:30
i agree 100%, gozo is more becoming a sole tourism industry. and this project fits perfectly, as long as it is built along mepa guidelines. imagine someone like la vallette walking into mepa with plans to build a city....(mount carmel immediately...together with his architect) ....what TM ?? ....TMs alternative routes for the undergoing road works in xewkija are a complete mess, with roads opening and closing and signs changing everyday. there roads that in 100 meters you can count 40 signs!!!