The "reasons" proclaimed by the government in trying to justify the unjustifiable attempt to ruin the area behind the Danish Village, the Għadira Bird Sanctuary, and the yet again endangered Natura 2000 site, seem to relate to beach erosion, traffic, parking, and EU funds' utilisation at the eleventh hour.
The government is conveniently remaining tight lipped about the beach concessions to hotels/restaurants, and hefty contracts the party in government can subsequently dish out to current and/or potential party-donors.
To date no independent studies (if at all done) have been made public, however some assessments may be made:
Beach erosion: Building up Għadira/Mellieħa and the intensified activities at Għadira Bay itself are what definitely contribute to erosion. However, sand trapped on the opposite side of the road can possibly be channelled through small tunnels underneath the road or alternatively, periodically shifted "manually". Moreover, as a last resort, sand can be imported and replenished every half a decade - Paris does it annually, thus it's no rocket science.
Traffic: This government has quite illogically narrowed arterial roads into single-lane carriage ways, thus claiming seasonal traffic concerns on a dual two-laned carriage way is at best inconsistent and naïve.
Parking: The nationwide problem is evident during the three summer months. However, professionally blending a multi-level car park either at the current parking space next to Mellieħa Bay Hotel, and/or right behind Seabank Hotel, should address this seasonal requirement.
EU funds: Politicians are enjoined to respect our intelligence and draw on the valuable input of NGOs when setting long-term, responsible and sustainable plans, and then ensure they are appropriately implemented. Even just contemplating to deploy EU funds to commit such destruction, may denote the extent to which some shortsightedly believe that they are bold and all-knowledgeable. Everyone is aware there are many areas crying out for overdue funds to be sensibly deployed.
Objectivity: It is mind boggling how the government is portraying such (flawed) sensitivity to Għadira's protection, when this same government and Cabinet ministers have allowed fish farms to operate within Mellieħa Bay itself, polluting the sea, the seabed and sea shore, thus slowly strangling the bay's own existence and ultimately also the income generated from tourism.
Moreover, if the government deems that space is becoming restricted at Għadira, it can start by removing establishments' umbrellas and deckchairs, abusively planted daily throughout the bay.
Environmental NGOs have time and again proved that they have the expertise and above all the commitment and dedication, to safeguard the little natural environment we have left. Moreover they have no vested interest to either cling to parliamentary bonuses or garner brownies from influential voters and party-donors.
The fact that these NGOs have explicitly warned the government to ward off from this rape, should be an eye-opener. Ultimately, should the current government retain its destructive stance, then a national environmental organisation embracing all NGOs would do well to show its muscle and give surgically accurate punches if need be.