Birżebbuġa residents cheered at the end of a marathon Mepa hearing yesterday when a renewal application for the extension of Terminal 1 west quay at the Malta Freeport was rejected.
In a stormy three-hour long sitting, punctuated with vociferous objections by the residents, the Mepa board voted unanimously against the proposal, citing the project’s environmental impact and the residents’ well-being. Chairman Vince Cassar noted that the project was inconsistent with several of the thematic objectives of Mepa’s Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED).
He said that, as the Freeport’s functioning was not impeded with its current facilities, there was no justification in exacerbating residents’ inconvenience.
A permit to extend the quay, which included dredging the fairway and berth of the quay to increase sea depth and reclaiming an area behind the quay wall, was originally granted in 2007. The renewal was requested after dredging works dragged on longer than expected.
The project architect said the extension would allow the Freeport to cater for larger vessels adding that, for the Freeport to maintain its place as a mainstay of the local economy, it had to upgrade its facilities and remain competitive.
Among those speaking out was newly independent MP Marlene Farrugia. “For years, we’ve witnessed the destruction of Birżebbuġa in the name of the national interest,” she said. “The national interest cannot only preserve the interests of industry but of all Maltese. You’ve taken everything you could, now it’s time to say enough is enough and seek a balance.”
Residents argued that the project moved the Freeport’s operations closer to the locality’s residential area, lowering the quality of life and interrupting recreational activities.
‘Now it’s time to say enough’
Architect Carmel Caccopardo said noise and vibration from the works had caused extensive inconvenience and even structural damage to residences in the area.
The Mepa board yesterday also suspended a decision on an application to sanction four new, larger cranes at Terminals 1 and 2. The cranes, installed last month before a permit was granted, are 140 metres high, just 10 metres lower than the Delimara station chimney.
The board decided not to proceed until clarification could be obtained from Transport Malta on recommendations indicating possible safety issues affecting the protection surfaces in the area. It made clear, however, its intention to keep a €955,000 planning gain together with a maximum fine of €50,000.