The Provision Of An Efficient and Ecological Transport System in Gozo

What?
Can you say that again please?

To a non-green individual, such a statement may sound bizarre.

To a green person, the notion to improve the ecological efficiency of the land and marine public transport system is a must.

Much has been said about eco-Gozo especially before last general election.

Last week-end the Association of Local Councils, organised a seminar at Ta' Cenc Hotel. The Green Party Leader, Arnold Cassola, was invited as an observer. It was announced that preparations were under way for the joint signing, by all the 14 Gozitan Mayors, of the European Local Council Agreement.

By supporting such a holistic vision, the Gozitan Local Mayors have made a significant step forward towards the elimination of the petty divisions which characterize local politics in these islands, especially in Gozo. The European Local Council Agreement lays strong emphasis on the reconversion of the public transport system in European cities with a view to reduce pollution and energy waste while at the same time render it more sustainable and provide a better service to the citizens.

Now, Gozo has a golden opportunity to reduce pollution caused by present public transport system, both by sea and on land, whilst, at the same time, to provide an excellent service which make sense in today`s needs.

The reform in the public transport system in Gozo should ensure that all public transport vehicles, including buses and minibuses, should be powered by hydrogen, methane gas or electrical energy to reduce air pollution which is causing so much harm to people`s health. It is a pity that bio-diesel is still not available on the island of Gozo.

With regard to transport by sea, Alternattiva Demokratika would like to remind Government that this is the year when Gozo Channel`s monopoly in the provision of the public sea transport to and from Gozo has to come to an end. AD therefore strongly recommends to the Minister concerned that, apart from provisions safeguarding the employment of all the workers involved and all the social aspects, a clause should also be included, in the new tender, binding the winning tenderer to reduce to a minimum the pollution and energy consumption levels by the ships providing the service.

The Malta Government should not once again lose the opportunity, as happened in the past, to apply for funds from the European Union through the Marco Polo Program, whose call for applications opened again on the 10 February this year. Arnold Cassola added that these funds would help the Company, awarded the tender, to expand the transport of all merchandize from San Maison as well as from the Feeport, to Mgarr port and vice-versa, thereby reducing substantially the pollution, transport costs, road damage and traffic jams now resulting from the overland transport of goods by huge lorries.

Ramla Blue

On the 21st of this month I reiterated that the pristine area of Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo is still under threat of development. Although, late last year, PN MEP insisted with the European Parliament Petitions Committee to close a petition submitted by Alternattiva Demokratika and residents against the development at Ramla l-Hamra (Gozo) and later opposed its reopening simply because, according to him, there was no authorized development in Ramla to object to, the truth is that there is in fact still the possibility of development in Ramla.

Here in Malta and also in the European Parliament AD will continue working to safeguard what little remains of our countryside after years upon years of ravage and irresponsible governance.

The appeal on the Ramla l-Hamra case is going to be heard by the Planning Appeals Board at the University Centre (Xewkija) Gozo on Friday 6th February at 10 a.m.

Good news from the EU Petitions Committee

I was one of the petitioners to the EU petitions commitee regarding the Ramla l-Hamra villas and pools development. The other petitioners are Michael Bajada, another AD member on the Gozo Regional Committee of Alternattiva Demokratika and the other one was by a good friend of ours who resides in Malta. On Tuesday the Petitions' Committee of the European Parliament met to examine our three different petitions against the building proposal of villas and pools at Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo

The Green Party Chairperson Arnold Cassola in a statement issued today said that Alternattiva Demokratika is delighted at the fact that the Ramla l-Hamra project has been shelved by the Maltese government.


At the hearing, the EU Commission announced that the Maltese government had stated that the project has been abandoned and MEP Simon Busuttil who sits on the Petitions Committee confirmed this. We are elated at this success in stopping such an unsustainable project from materializing.

It seems too good to be true, but bat least we can confirm this news from Brussles. What is actually happening here in Malta is another story of course.

Mepa should truly safeguard the environment around Ramla l-Hamra by including the whole
area in the EU-funded and protected programme of Natura 2000. Heritage trusts and NGOs should be supported in obtaining EU funds to transform the whole Ramla area into an international heritage site and protecting its archaeological remains. We now expect that Ramla bay be promoted to Blue Flag bay status.

In the light of the government's electoral promise to transform Gozo into an eco-island, the state should claim back the land from the Ulysses Lodge proprietors in order to remove the abandoned building, restore the partially concreted-over Roman pathway and restore the whole area. Gozo needs new, modern sustainable jobs which would ensure the protection of the environment whilst promoting high quality tourism.

Shhhh...Ta' Cenc......don't tell anyone....

After all these years battling to safeguard Ta' Cenc pristine plateau, everybody knows of its national and international importance with regards to its richness in plant biodiversity and habitat, of geological and archaeological interest. This, not to mention Ta' cenc as the most important regional site for birds and its high landscape value.

Well if some Maltese tax-payer is still not aware, I will do good to remind that the Ta' Cenc issue is also currently subject to a pending infringement procedure for insufficient special protection area designation opened against Malta by the European Commission in June. The infringement procedure opened against Malta by the European Commission relates to an insufficient Special Protection Area designation for Ta' Cenc.

It is most unfair for the Maltese tax-payer to be asked to fork out money for fines due to negligence from the Maltese Authorities.


During the past days, new plans were submitted to MEPA by the developers. No you could not see these on-line from the mepa website. There was a very limited time for those concerned to go and view them at the MEPA Office. We at AD called for transparency in this issue and we said that the lack of it is 'disrespect to the citizens'. (Read HERE)

Following that, the developers held meetings with some of the environmental NGOs and the Sannat local Council.

Thank god that the people of Sannat elected an AD Councillor on their council. This way we at AD can keep you informed of the happenings whenever we can.


Whilst welcoming the meetings held by the Ta' Cenc developers with some of the main environmental NGOs and the Sannat Local Council, Alternattiva Demokratika firmly believes that information should be made more public. In particular, the Mayor of Sannat has a duty to inform all his residents of the Council's stand on the new plans. It seems that the MLP mayor opted to remain silent on this national issue. Such stand is unacceptable in this time and year considering the national and international importance of Ta' Cenc.

John Michael Mizzi, the AD Councillor in Sannat said that: "Following the meeting between the developers and the Council, the Public has a right to consider if any development of Ta' Cenc can be reconciled with the Government's policy of Gozo as an Eco-Island. It now transpires that the Hotel would be extending its building to cover the existing carpark on one side and extending to about 130metres from the cliff edge on the other. Can such a sensitive area designated as potential Natura2000 site be built so extensively?"

During a press conference held at ta' Cenc on the 13th of Sepbtember 2008, Prof. Arnold Cassola, the Green Party leader said that "Alternattiva Demokratika eagerly awaits press statements from those NGOs which attended the meetings. AD also asks that the PN and MLP to declare their stance on the Ta' Cenc Development. Politicians, especially those whose portfolio comprises the environment should not shy away from expressing an opinion. Ta' Cenc was designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its internationally important breeding colonies of seabirds including the Yelkouan Shearwater, the largest breeding colony of Cory's Shearwater and the only colony of European Storm-petrels outside Filfla in the Maltese Islands."

Tourists…rubbish…throw them out…burn them…send them away

Aleander Balzan is another journalist who I feel is very promising in investigative journalism. Besides, his style of writing shows that he has, what in the books it is referred to as the ‘Maltese heritage’, close to his heart.

Aleander is a journalist with il-Kulhadd, and last Sunday he wrote an interesting episode which he named: “An archaeological treasure is transformed into a rubbish dump”. I suggest that you read this report of Aleander by accessing this link and understanding why I am mentioning this entry in the blog entitled ‘Tourists…rubbish etc., etc.’

I need to thank the AD local councillor for Sannat John Mizzi who took photographs in the area of Ta’ Lambert in Xewkija, more specifically, on the other side of Ta’ Cenc – right in the location of the heliport and where a couple of individuals closely connected to politics are saying that tourism in Gozo needs an airstrip in order to survive… see blog of gozoairstrip here.

This time John Mizzi has not been arrested for taking pictures in this despicable location. Do you remember when the police who reign Gozo deleted all John’s photographs which he snapped in Wied l-Infern while the people at MEPA came to clean the disaster made by the Zebbug mayor? If you forgot, you can read here.

But you would surely agree that while looking at these pictures you feel infuriated!

This is more so when the Superintendent in charge of the cultural heritage has just published his annual report and appealed to MEPA so that all the areas in Ta’ Cenc are protected (scheduled).

Furthermore, in his report, the Superintendent urged that in the other side of Mgarr ix-Xini, that is, the side of the heliport known as Ta’ Lambert, there remain archaeological sites that are not yet so discovered and hence also need to be protected.

This is exactly what you can see in the picture, my friend!

But if you study these pictures closely you will start to confirm that this report, like numerous other appeals from various sources, the Gozo Authorities seem to be protecting those who go and destroy these locations in pure daylight.

And this is despite the fact that the government of a relative majority (not absolute) says (before election) that he is going to adopt Alternattiva Demokratika’s vision to transform Gozo into an ecological island.

And so as I commented in the report of the young journalist Aleander, I think that I am right in saying that “either the Prime Minister was not aware of what he was trying to copy or else the environmental pole has deteriorated.”

When you see these pictures you really feel like crying. You need to be uneducated, as they say, or couldn’t care less, not feel ashamed.

When will the Minister for Gozo start to understand that the protection of the environment and historical sites are of an enormous value and help in the development of another niche for tourism from which Gozo can greatly benefit?

Is it possible that she is not yet aware that Gozo is also frequented by tourists who come specifically for the island’s natural beauty?

In fact, I know friends from Malta who tell me that they like to visit Gozo specifically because they appreciate its peace and natural beauty!

I met tourists who visit Gozo for its historical riches.

I also know people who came to Gozo (and left money) specifically because they like to walk in our countryside and enjoy the flora and fauna that make the island as beautiful as God intended.

But look at this picture of the crucifix in the rubbish dump of Ta’ Lambert!

Those who followed us before election may remember that we issued an electoral manifesto specifically for Gozo and among a lot of proposals, we proposed the development of different niches of tourism. (See here). We mentioned, amongst other proposals, the need for Religious Tourism to be developed. Apparently they got us wrong even here because this poor crucifix ended up being placed here in this rubbish dump of Ta’ Lambert, close to the government bore hole. Could this also be part of the Gozo echo?

As my friend John Mizzi said, who took these photographs, “it is a shame. This place need to be cared for and cleaned under the supervision of experts so that no more historical structures are lost.”

And if I form part of the Xewkija local council, I would definitely react to this!


Is it possible that from five local councillors (nationalists and labourites) nobody even stirs? How come the major did not mention this disaster when she attended the famous ‘consultation’ regarding the echo in Gozo in Lunzjata Valley. I was there and listened to every word that was uttered.

Do you want me to believe what they say, that is “Don’t we know who?” … oh come on!

Or is this a question of instilling fear by means of votes in those who should take care of and protect their locality?

If this is so, I have many ideas of what I can do!

So no wonder that those people who couldn’t care less, do not really care neither for the tourists. Rubbish…throw them out… burn them. In other words, send them away.

So excuse me but I cannot not criticise what they call Gozo Association of Tourism (GTA). Those of the GTA that straight after every budget they come on Net tv praising its merits.

I believe that there are a couple of genuine individuals in GTA, but like every association in Gozo that is controlled by a medieval system or perhaps even more recent … a system of feudal politics; these few need to keep their mouths shut.

Don't worry, I will not.

Cheers
Victor

Instead of villas and private pools at Ramla l-Hamra Bay

Instead of villas and private pools at Ramla l-Hamra Bay we are proposing a number of sustainable and ecological projects for Ramla l-Hamra.

Everybody assumes that the spectacular landscape value of the valley and the bay at Ramla constitute a fundamental point of reference for tourism in Gozo. Such a natural asset is an attraction to all those visiting the island and therefore benefits all other existing tourist businesses in Gozo. I feel that it is then obligatory to prevent the threat of opportunistic development in this area which would also damage the Gozo tourist product as a whole.

In view of the outcome by the MEPA Planning Appeals Board, I question whether the Appeals Board would have been so considerate with a common citizen. The developers’ appeal in front of MEPA should have been declared null and void, the same way as it would have been to any common citizen who fails to follow procedures accordingly.

On the other hand, I would like to propose specific sustainable and ecological projects for Ramla l-Hamra Bay instead of villas and private swimming pools:

1. MEPA should truly safeguard the environments around Ramla l-Hamra by including the whole area in the EU funded and protected programme of Natura 2000;

2. Heritage Trusts and NGOs should be supported in obtaining EU funds to transform the whole Ramla area as an international heritage site;

3 Re-establish its archaeological remains;

4. Highlighting its geomorphologic features and habitat that supports endemic flora and fauna while ecological walks and expeditions could take place under professional guidance;

5. Promote Ramla for a Blue Flag bay status;

6. Ensure that Ramla l-Hamra remains free from light pollution, a characteristic sought avidly by our visitors;

7. Its spectacular landscape value should not only be protected but promoted as an ideal location for astronomical observation; and

8. The state should claim back the land from the Ulysses Lodge proprietors, to remove the abandoned building, restore the partially concreted-over Roman pathway to its former self and holistically restore the whole area.

I would like to invite whoever is responsible for gathering ideas from the general public with regards to the Eco-Ghawdex project to take any of these suggestions on board. I do not mind that (as most often) the Green Party doesn’t take any credit, as long as there is the will to truly implement this project for the benefit of present and future generations.

Victor Galea

AD Spokesman for Gozo
Gharb

It-Turisti...żibel...armihom...aħraqhom...keċċihom

Aleander Balzan huwa ġurnalist ieħor li nħoss li qed jipprometti ħafna f'dak li hu ġurnaliżmu investigattiv. Barra minnhekk, mill-mod kif jikteb jidher li għandu għal qalbu dak li fil-kotba jissejjah 'il-patrimonju Malti'.

Aleander huwa ġurnalist ma' Il-Kulħadd, u l-Ħadd li għadda kiteb rakkont interessanti li semmih "Teżor arkeoloġiku jinbidel f'miżbla". Nissuġġerilkom taqraw dan ir-rapport ta' Aleander billi tagħfas HAWN u tifmhu 'l ghaliex qed insemmi din l-entry fil-blog bit-titlu ta' 'It-Turisti...żibel eċċetra, eċċetra.


Irrid nirringrazzja lill-kunsillier ta' l-AD f' Ta' Sannat John Mizzi li għogbu jmur jieħu r-ritratti fl-inhawi Ta' Lambert fix-Xewjika, sewwa sew fuq ix-xaqliba l-oħra ta' Ta' Cenc - propju fejn hemm il-heliport u fejn xi tnejn tal-qalba qed ighidu li t-turiżmu f'Għawdex għandu bzonn l-airstip sabiex ikampa....ara l-blog tal-gozoairstrip hawnhekk.



Din id-darba John Mizzi ma ġiex arrestat talli mar jieħu dawn ir-ritratti f'dan il-post tal-biki. Tiftakar meta il-pulizija tar-renju t'Ghawdex ħassru r-ritratti kollha ta' John meta dan mar ħa r-ritratti f'Wied l-Infern waqt li tal-MEPA ġew inaddfu l-ħniżrijiet li għamel is-sindku taż-Żebbug? Jekk insejt, tista' taqra HAWN.



Imma tiġix tgħidli li int u tara dawn ir-ritratti ma tħossx rabja ġo fik tafx!


L-aktar meta is-Supretendent tal-Wirt Kulturali għadu kemm ippubblika r-rapport annawli tiegħu u appella lill-MEPA sabiex l-inħawi kollha f'Ta' Ċenċ ikunu protetti (skedati).

Mhux biss, iżda f'dan ir-rapport tiegħu, is-Supretendent saħaq li x-xaqliba l-oħra ta' Mġarr ix-Xini, cioe' in-naha tal-heliport magħrufa bħala Ta' Lambert, fadal siti arkeoloġici li għadhom
mhux tant maghrufa u ghaldaqstant jenħtiegu wkoll protezzjoni.

Propju dawn ir-ritratti li qed tara sieħeb!

Imma jekk tifli sew dawn ir-ritratti tibda tikkonferma li dan id-diskors bħal ħafna appelli oħra minn diversi sorsi, l-Awtoritajiet ta' Għawdex donnhom qed jipprteġu lil min imur u jeqred dawn l-inħawi fid-dawl tax-xemx.

U dan minkejja li l-gvern ta' maġġoranza relattiva (mhux aktar assoluta) jgħid (qabel l-elezzjoni) li ser jadotta l-vizjoni ta' l-Alternattiva Demokratika biex jibdel lil Għawdex fi gżira eku-loġika.


U allura kif ikkummentajt fir-rapport tal-gurnalist żgħażugħ Aleander, naħseb li għandi raġun ngħid li "jew il-Prim Ministru ma kienx jaf x'qiegħed jikkopja jew inkella tassew li l-pilastru ambjentali tmermer".

Meta tara dawn ir-ritratti tassew jaqbdek il-biki. Trid tkun bla skola kif igħidu, jew ala bieb il-ħanżira biex ma tgħidx x'arukaża!

Meta ser tifhem il-Ministru t'Għawdex illi l-ħarsien tal-kampanja u s-siti pre-istoriċi huma ta' valur enormi u jgħin fl-izvilupp ta' niċċa oħra ta' turiżmu li Ghawdex tant jista' jibbenefika minnha?

Possibbli għadha ma semgħetx li f'Għawdex jiġu wkoll turisti minħabba is-sbuħija naturali tal-gżira?

Biss biss jien naf ħbieb minn Malta li jgħiduli li jħobbu jżuru Għawdex propju minħabba l-kwiet u s-sbuħija naturali tiegħu!

Iltqajt ma' turisti li jżuru Għawdex propju minħabba r-rikkezzi fl-istorja tiegħu.

Naf ukoll nies li ġew Għawdex (u ħallew il-flus) propju 'l għaliex iħobbu jimxu fil-kampanja tagħna u jgawdu l-flora u l-fawna li huma biss jafu jsebbħu wiċċ gżiritna kif riedha Alla l-Imbierek.








Imma araw daqsejn dan ir-ritratt bil-kurċifiss fil-miżbla f'Ta' Lambert!





Min segwina qabel l-elezzjoni jiftakar li ħriġna manifest elettorali specifikament għal Għawdex u fost tant proposti oħra għamilna proposti ta' zviluppi ta' niċeċ ta' turiżmu differenti. (Ara HAWN). Semmjna fost l-ohrajn il-ħtieġa li jiġi żviluppat dak li jissejjaħ Turiżmu Reliġjuż. Jidher li anke hawnhekk infthemna ħażin ghax dan il-povru kurcifiss spiċċa twaħħal ftit ġimgħat ilu f'din il-miżbla Ta' Lambert, propju qrib il-bore hole tal-gvern. Tgħid dan ukoll parti mill-eku t'Ghawdex?




Kif qal sieħbi John Mizzi li għoġbu jieħu dawn ir-ritratti, "xi ħaġa tal-mistħija. Dan il-post irridu niehdu ħsiebu, irid jitnaddaf u meta jsir dan, irid isir taħt l-ispezzjonijiet ta' nies esperti biex ma jkomplux jintilfu strutturi storiċi".




U tiġux tgħiduli li kieku jien parti mill-kunsill lokali tax-Xewkija ħa noqgħod bi kwieti tafux!


Possibli li minn ħames kunsilliera (nazzjonalisti u laburisti) ħadd ma jagħmel plejtu? Kif ma semmietx dan id-diżastru meta is-sindkuwa attendiet il-famuża 'konsultazzjoni' dwar l-eku t'Għawdex fil-Wied tal-Lunzjata? Jien kont hemm u smajt sew x'intqal.



Tridni nibla' dak li jgħidu, jiġifieri "Ma nafux min?" u ejja come on!

Jew din hija kwistjoni li min jaghmel li jrid iwerwer bil-vot lil dawn in-nies li ivvutajtielhom sabiex suppost iħarsu l-lokal tagħhom?

Illallu kieku jien x'nagħmel!

U mhux għalhekk min hu ala bieb il-hanzira jigi jitmejjel mit-turisti? żibel....armihom..aħraqhom. F'kelma oħra....keċċihom.

U allura skużawni tafx, imma kif nista' ma nikritikax lil dik li tissejjah Assoċċjazzjoni tat-Turiżmu t'Għawdex (il-GTA)? Dawk tal-GTA li dritt wara kull budget joħorġu fuq in-NET tv igħidu proset proset proset.

Nemmen li hemm wieħed jew tnejn ġenwini fil-GTA, imma bħal kull organizzazzjoni f'Għawdex li tiġi kkontrollata fis-sistema tal-medju evu jew forsi aktar reċenti...sistema ta' politika fewdali; dawn il-ftit ikollhom jgħalqu ħalqhom.

Mhux jien imma.

on again on again

The eyesore caused by a large building under construction at scenic Dwejra has still not been removed, and no one has assumed responsibility for it.

MEPA stopped the project in March but nothing has happened since.

The Gozo Ministry and San Lawrenz Council need to realise that quality tourists do not visit Gozo to see a concrete monster in a place of natural beauty. It is not enough to promote Gozo and distribute pictures of the Azure window, only for tourists to then be surprised by such a state of abandon and irregularities when they visit the place.

As I stated earlier, around Dwejra alone, some 80 enforcement notices have been issued, for anything from illegal rooms to boathouse extensions, illegal quarries and dumping sites and even an extension of the chapel, also without a permit. READ BY CLICKING HERE.

Hope that our plea will not be part of the Echo in Gozo but part of Eco-Gozo.

Thank you for your support in this cause.

Victor

Change the tune: "Yes, alone everything is possible."

Recently, we, The Green Party (AD) praised the Nationalist Government for promising that Gozo will be turned into an Ecological island, an idea that had been put forward by Alternattiva Demokratika, two years ago.

I was one of the first who wrote to the Minister of Gozo and asked for an official meeting so that AD could submit its proposals so that this electoral promise could become a reality.

Those able to follow what we are proposing, we tailored an electoral manifesto specifically for Gozo which would create new, modern sustainable jobs and which would ensure the protection of the environment whilst promoting high quality tourism. (Read Here) .

Now that the government is adopting AD's political position, I feel that it is appropriate that we be the first to support the concept of an Eco-Gozo and offer our proposals to the Consultation Process which we hope will also be adopted by the Government.

Innovation of this magnitude calls for the involvement of all Gozitans and Alternattiva Demokratika is keen to share its knowledge and expertise.

In spite of the fact that nobody from Alternattiva Demokratika was invited for the official opening of the consultation process for Eco-Gozo, I attended anyway and also put forward to the Minister verbally our request for dialogue on the subject.

Despite that I already sent two reminders to the personal assistant of Govanna Debono, we received no reply at all.

I also e-mailed from the eco-gozo website set-up by the Gozo Minister informing that we are ready to sponsor this project even though our finances are extremely limited. What did I receive back? I simply got an automatic reply from her webmaster saying
"Thank you for your feedback".

What a pity!

While I hope that the Minister for Gozo grants the request of AD for this dialogue, we hope that the Ministry for Gozo does not work in isolation but with other experts so that this ambitious project reflects a true representative democracy.

We also hope that the Minister for Gozo recognizes the whole of civil society as well as the contribution of individual entities which do not necessarily work closely with the Nationalist Party.

Eco-Gozo has to transcend party politics and this would be for the purpose of the Maltese public's full enjoyment of Gozo or whoever gets to visit the Island. At the end of the day, this project is for benefit of the future generation and not simply those who are going to vote in the next election.

don't you agree?

Cheers

Victor

Il-Kappella tal-Kangaroo

“Il-Mepa Qorti tal-Kangaroo,” huma fost il-kliem ibsin użati mill-Imħallef Joe Galea Debono fil-konfront ta’ l-Awtorità Maltija għall-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar f’kawża li fetaħ bħala ċittadin komuni, flimkien ma’ aktar minn 30 persuna oħra (aktar dettallji HAWN)
Wasalt fic-Centru ta' l-Universita' (Ghawdex) fit-triq li taghti mix-Xewkija ghall-Imgarr f'xi l-11:05.

F'dan il-post hemm kamra mdaqqsa li fiha kultant jiltaqa' l-Bord ta' l-Apelli tal-MEPA. Ghal min ghadu ma jafx, M.E.P.A. tfisser Malta Environment and Planning Authority. U Ghal min forsi ghadu ma jafx, tajjeb li lkoll inkunu nafu li din l-Awtorita' m'ghadhiex taqa' taht il-Ministru George Pullicino, izda 'ghall-grazzja t'Alla' taht wiehed aqwa minn Ministru. Il-MEPA issa taqa' propju taht il-Prim!

U tghidx kemm kien hawn nies qabel l-elezzjoni generali xejru bnadar u ferhu ghax hasbu li ladarba l-MEPA ser taqa' taht il-Prim, l-affarijiet issa ser jimxu aktar bil-galbu! Sahansitra anke ghaqda ambjentali qalet li thossha gratified li l-Prime Minister highlighted the importance of sustainable development u il-htiega tal-MEPA reform in his recent diskors tal-Parliament.

Wow!

Ha nkompli nghidilkom dwar il-kappella tal-Kangaroo....

Allura ghandkom tkunu tafu li c-Centru ta' l-Universita f'Ghawdex zmien ilu kien sptar ghal persuni b'mard mentali u s'intendi bhal kull istituzzjoni fil-pajjiz sagru u kottoliku taghna; kont issib il-kappella.

Meta mbaghad minn sptar sar ic-centru ta' l-Universita', din il-kappella inbidlet f'lecture room.

U meta l-Board ta' l-Appelli tal-MEPA jkollu bzonn jisma' l-appelli f'Ghawdex, din il-kappella taqbez qabza ohra u tinbidel f'kawzi-awla gudizzjarja.

Fhimt 'l ghaliex il-kappella tal-Kangaroo issa?

Mhux biss. Isma' x'gara illum perezempju....

Kif ghidt, wasalt f'xi 11:05. Kien hemm xi nies fuq barra b'xi kartelluni biex jipprotestaw mall-MEPA talli ghadha ghaddejja bil-kwistjoni ta' l-izvilupp fir-Ramla l-Hamra. (ara r-ritratt).

Hafna ppreferew joqghodu barra biex jidhru fuq is-Super One. Halli ghalihom tas-Super One f'okkazjoni bhal din! Nahseb indumu xahar nisimghu l-istess fin-news tas-7.30. Jew forsi il-kumitat ta' l-etika il-gdid tal-lejber jaghtihom parir biex dawn l-istrategiji jbiddluhom?

Jien dhalt fil-kwazi-awla peress li kien hemm l-aircondition u sabiex nilhaq post bil-qieghda quddiemnett halli nisma', nara u nifli sew.

U mnalla ghax kull ma kien hemm tuzzana siggijiet! Gbidt wiehed u poggejt fuqu. Ftit wara bdew dehlin hafna nies u spiccaw bil-wieqfa. X'hin Spietri bejli (ic-chairman tal-board tal-Appell u dak li hareg ghall-elezzjonijiet man-Nazzjonalisti u li gie appuntat Chairman mill-President tar-Repubblika fuq parir tal-Ministru tal-Gustizzja) beda jghajjat u jkecci lil kull min kien bil-wieqfa. Dun Manwel ghamel sewwa. Dak sab mejda f'kantuniera u pogga bil-qieghda hemm.

Imma tant il-kwazi-awla bdiet timtela bin-nies li l-aircondition ma baqax jaghmel effett. In-nies bdew irewhu. Jien kelli nqum minn bil-qieghda bis-shana. Wiehed minn tal-Board ipprova jiftah tieqa. Ic-chairman tal-Board kien jidher li kellu tensjoni fuqu ddoqq u beda jghajjat ma' siehbu: "Hallikom mit-twieqi, hallikom mit-twieqi"

L-Appell tar-Ramla l-Hamra beda jinstema f'xi 13:00.

Allura mill-11:05 sas-13:00 kelli x-xorti noqghod nisma' bid-decizjonijiet ta' l-appelli minn dan il-famuz board. U kien hemm appelli tafux! U daqshekk iehor kien hemm periti u avukati. Heqq kulhadd irid jiekol hux.

Miskin ic-cittadin!

Hin minnhom it-tifel ta' wiehed mill-izviluppaturi tar-Ramla mar biex jigbed ritratt. Jien gejt nidher gharqan xraba u fl-istess hin bi tbissima. Izda ma kienx mument li c-Chairman induna bil-flexx ghax sbroffa u beda jghid:

"Dan il-post (cioe l-ex kappella) huwa kazi-awla. Ma rridx ritratti." Victor (ghax kemm ukoll kien jismhu l-'fotografu' qallu li ser ihassar ir-ritratt.

"U ma rridx nies bix-shorts"

U povru Martinu li kien bilqieghda hdejja kien wiehed minn dawk il-povri cittadini li gew mieghi biex nuru d-dizapprovazzjoni taghna ghall-izvilupp tal-villel taht Ghar Calypso fir-Ramla; kellu jitlaq 'l barra.

Jien le imma :)

U allura kien hemm ukoll periti li kienu lebsin ix-shorts. Dawn kellhom imorru id-dar, jilbsu qalziet twil u jerghu jigu lura.

Messhom ghamlu tabella fil-bieb tad-dhul ta' din il-'kwazi-awla'.....kieku jien kont nikteb hekk:

Hawnhekk kien hawn kappella
u allura ma tistax tidhol b'qalziet ta' taht jew bix-shorts.

Smajt kemm-il appell imma ma smajtx decizjoni wahda mgiddma. Stajt ninnota l-espressjonijiet ta' stmerrija fuq ucuh ic-cittadini. Bdejt ukoll nara espressjonijiet differenti fuq ucuh xi periti u avukati. Daz-zgur.

Povru cittadin!

L-appelli kollha diferiti ghad-29 ta' Novembru 2008 (dak iz-zmien ma nahsibx li jigu lebsin ix-shorts).

Biex tghaxxaqha, hin minnhom issa bdew dehlin il-gurnalisti. "Ma rridx ritratti! Ahna hawn qed naghmlu xogholna" rega' ghajjat ic-Chairman tal-Bord ta' l-Appelli tal-MEPA.

"Anke ahna qed naghmlu xogholna" qallu Mark Micallef tat-Times u kien hemm gurnalist iehor urieh il-Press Card (bhal dik ta' Jerrfrey Pullicino Orlando, tiftakar?).

Kif dahlet il-gurnalista ta' l-Independent, mar fuqha l-pulizija ta' l-ghassa u stahbiha wara kolonna. Ma nafx 'l ghaliex. Ma tghidx kienet liebsa ndecenti fil-kappella tal-kangaroo!

F'xi s-13:00 resqu l-avukat Charlie Galea f'isem l-izviluppaturi tal-villel tar-Ramla u l-Perita ta' Dimech u fuq in-naha l-ohra dawk li kienu ghamlu l-oggezzjoni.

Waqa skiet perfett, waqt li corma Nglizi (li jghixu Ghawdex) resqu 'l quddiem bhallikieku ser jifmhu xi haga minn dak it-tgedwid bil-Malti.

Membru tal-board staqsa 'l ghaliex fil-file ma hemmx record li l-appell thallas mill-applikanti.

L-avukat Galea sostna li l-izviluppaturi baghatu l-fee.

Il-membru tal-board beda jispjega li apparti li fil-file tieghu ma hemmx dan ir-record, is-somma tal-fee ma kenitx kompatibbli mal-legal notice li kienet harget dan l-ahhar.

"Allura ghidulna kemm ghadna nhallsu u nhallsu" qal l-avukat f'isem l-izviluppaturi.

U ara daqsxejn kemm ic-Chairman ghandu qalb hanina....

Beda jiddetta hekk waqt li l-iskrivana tal-Board bdiet tittajpja fuq il-laptop....

"Fi zmien 10 t'jiem l-appellant irid jirranga l-affarijiet (cioe' l-hlas dovut)....u d-decizjoni finali diferita ghad-29 ta' Novembru."
Bye bye....

Li kieku kont jien jew int flok l-izviluppaturi, tghid il-MEPA kienet timxi maghna b'qalb daqshekk hanina jew kienet tuza l-burokrazija taghha u tghidilna li

'ladarba ma gewx osservati il-ligijiet tar-Repubblika ta' Malta, allura dan l-appell jigi null u michud'?


...u allura tghid ghandha ragun il-Ministru ghal Ghawdex dalghodu waqt il-launch ta' l-eku-Ghawdex tghid: li mhux etika li l-Ministeru jiehu xi pozizzjoni kontra jew favur xi progett ghax "dak xoghol l-awtoritajiet kompetenti".

X'tahseb eh?

Echo-Ghawdex

Il-bierah sirt naf li l-Ministru ta' Ghawdex ser taghmel launch ta' porcess konsultattiv dwar l-eco-Ghawdex fil-Wied tal-Lunzjata.

S'intendi ma kontx mistieden. Kont kurjuz li mmur u nara min huma l-mistednin. X'seta gara? Ma jhallunix immur il-Wied?

Mort. Jien u niezel bdew gejjin il-memorji ta' meta ghamilt 9 snin nahdem f'dan il-Wied tal-Lunzjata. Bhala ghalliem kont niehu l-klassijiet t'Ghawdex jaghmlu fieldwork f'dan il-wied. Lill-istudenti kont inqassamhom fi grupp u min jistudja l-ghasafar tal-post, min jaghmel survey dwar iz-zibel li jingabar fil-wied, min jahdem fuq il-pjanti tal-wied, min jaghmel esperimenti marbuta mat-temp....Insomma kont nivvinta u kont noghxa nara t-tfal jitghallmu u fl-istess hin jiehdu pjacir. Ghadni sallum niltaqa ma xi tfal (illum tfajliet u guvintur) u jghadduli kumment: "Tiftakar sir meta kont tehodna il-Lunzjata?"

"U zgur li niftakar!"

Imma illum ma mortx nara 'hands-on activity' tafux. Ma kienx hemm wisq x'taqbad - u ifhmuni.

Mort nisma u nosserva.

Lhaqt bicca mid-diskors ferm sabih tal-Ministru dwar kemm il-Gvern qed jaghmel favur l-ambjent t'Ghawdex....diskors li int tista' taqrah specjalment fuq il-mezzi tal-media tal-PN inkluz l-editorjali tat-Times u s-Sunday Times.

Min kienu l-mistednin allura?

hehehehehe

Is-sindki tal-Kunsilli tal-villaggi sbieh u pittoreski tal-gzira ekologika :)

Iva...kien hemm is-sindku li qabel l-elezzjoni li ghaddiet tnejjek wahda bin-nies zul minn hemm. (AQRA HAWN).

Is-sindku li tghidx kemm tefa' terrapien f'wied tant li tal-MEPA marru jnaddfuh warajh u min fuq arrestaw lil Kunsillier ta' l-AD John Mizzi talli mar jiehu r-ritratti (AQARA HAWN)

Is-Sindku li mela' l-irdumijiet tas-Sanap fil-Munxar bil-konkos (AQRA HAWN)

U nista' nibqa nsemmi wiehed/wahda wara l-ohra....

Interessanti kien hin il-mistoqsijiet.

Min tkellem?

Number 1: HADD mis-sindki Nazzjonalisti (of course)

Tkellmu pero is-sindku tax-Xewjkija u s-sindku tax-Xaghra. U min minkom irid jitghallem xi tfisser NIMBYism messu gie dalghodu.

Interventi ohra saru minn ambjentalisti Maltin li gew fil-post ovvjament mhux permezz tat-trasport pubbliku (peress li dan f'Ghawdex ma jezistix).

U semmewlha (lill-Ministru) dwar il-pozizzjoni taghha dwar diversi 'zviluppi' li saru taht ghajnejha jew hemm proposti li jsiru.

U l-Ministru tassew clever tafux.

"Il-Ministeru mhux responsabbli mill-hrug ta' permessi f'Ghawdex"

U qalet li mhux etika li l-Ministeru jiehu xi pozizzjoni kontra jew favur xi progett...."Dak xoghol l-awtoritajiet kompetenti"

Tajjeb ukoll....
Nisthallilkom tghidu...'allura l-Alternattiva Demokratika tassew ma jafux x'inhi etika meta johorgu pozizzjonijiet cari kontra spekulazzjoni f'Ta' Cenc, il-qerda tas-sbuhija tar-Ramla l-Hamra u postijiet ohra bhal Hondoq ir-Rummien u d-Dwejra'

Ara... tassew Eku-Ghawdex u mhux EKO-Ghawdex. Hemm differenza.

Insomma qabel ma tlaqt mort fuq il-Ministru u s-segretarju taghha is-Sur Borg u fakkarthom li nistenna li tibaghtilna ghal laqgha mal-Ministeru bhala parti minn dan il-process konsultattiv.

Nemmen li bhala Alternattiva ghandna wisq x'noffru biex dan l-EKU jsir tassew EKO.

Meta l-AD hrigna bl-idea ta' Ghawdex bhala gzira ekologika (sentejn ilu) konna nafu x'qed nghidu.

Tlaqt nigri ghax ridt nara x'qed jigri mill-appell quddiem il-bord tal-MEPA dwar il-famuzi villel tar-Ramla l-Hamra li ironikament instemghu f'Ghawdex fl-istess jum u kwazi fl-istess hin.
Imma lahhaqt ma' kollox.

Naf li hawn minnkom jiehdu gost jidhqu u allura dalwaqt nikteb ir-rakkont minn go l-'awla' tal-bord tal-Apelli tal-MEPA. Ha nsemmiha 'Il-Qorti tal-Kangaruw'. Naf li mhux title originali sakemm ma nsibx xi haga aktar originali :)

Sahhiet

Victor

Red Alert once more at Ramla l-Hamra

Pardon me for having to repeat, but as predicted, the fate of Ramla l-Hamra was to be decided after the last general election.

At the same time we are talking about the prospects of turning Gozo into an ecological island thus creating sustainable jobs and quality tourism infrastructure, the MEPA which falls under the direct order of our Prime Minister is to decide on the further developments at the former Ulysses Lodge site by the legendary Calypso Cave in Ramla l-Hamra.

The MEPA’s Appeals Board (which, mind you, falls under the direct responsibility of Gonzi) will decide this coming Friday, the 11th of July, the proposed development at the former Ulysses’ Lodge site, in Ramla Bay.

If the government truly believes that Gozo deserves to be a distinct tourist destination, investing in buying the property and turn it to its original state would be a long term solution for such controversies. The same way the Malta government invested in spending millions of Euros to buy ‘Dar Malta’ in Brussles, the same should be dedicated in the creating a tourism infrastructure at Ramla l-Hamra combining its geomorphologic features, Roman archaeological remains and the endangered fauna, flora and sand dunes. All these provide a future of niche market tourism where all Gozitans in general would benefit from.”

On the other hand, if the Government does not have the courage or will power to safeguard Gozo, environmental NGO’s should be encouraged to set-up a National Trust Fund in order to do so.

And a last word to those greedy ones:

"The island of Gozo does not belong to you or me or them - it belongs to all the people of Gozo and their future progeny. We only have it on loan and it is our duty to safeguard it for future generations"

Fingers crossed

Victor

Malta missed it. Why?

The local media missed it. Arnold Cassola mentioned this during his first speech as new AD Leader. I am told that the One News were more interested to report that Dr. Vassallo cleaned up the office toilet. The Net News (as typical under GonziPN) did not give coverage at all. The printed media missed on this one as well. How insular we are at times. I feel sad.

On the 10th June 2008 (just 7 days ago) all EU member states participated in the Urban Audit. Sorry not ALL member states. The government of the Republic of Malta was not there. Why? Was he busy following the latest developments at Mistra and Fort Cambridge in order to give his trademark on environmental credibility?

The Urban Audit brings together a broad range of indicators on the quality of life in European cities.

The purpose of the conference was twofold:

• To provide information on The Urban Audit to city representatives and other interested communities. Beyond participants in the Urban Audit, the conference provides the opportunity for anyone interested in urban statistics to collect useful information and make contacts.
  
• To present the ways in which the Commission, Member States and cities have benefited from the Urban Audit.

A number of key questions for the future of cities were dealt with during the conference, including the aging of the population, migration phenomena, housing, competitiveness and the attractiveness of cities. Each of these areas was addressed by the Urban Audit.

Is the government of Malta not interested? I think that when the Malta Independent on Sunday editor choose to give such a title to the Gozo as an ecological island concept was right. He called it: Gozo an ecological island? You must be joking

Pity.

Gozo - Ecological island

Sabine Cassar-Alpert was commissioned by The Times to report the event when Gisela Kallenbach (Green MEP) took part in the Civil Forum organised by the EU Office Valletta regarding 'Gozo as an ecological island.

I thought to publish in full this feature which was published on the Times of Malta, since sometimes, some features are not accessible on-line after some weeks. And I think that the write-up by Sabine is a very good one. The photos that goes with this article are brought to us by courtesy of the Author herself. Here it goes:


Stronger than expected, according to Julian Vassallo, was the response from Gozitan residents to an invitation to discuss Gozo as an ecological island, the first of a series of civil fora to be organised by the European Parliament Valletta Office this year.

Around 100 attendees flocked to Ta' Mena Estate, an agro-tourism site located at Marsalforn Valley, to listen to keynote speaker Gisela Kallenbach, a German member of the European Parliament from the Greens/European Free Alliance Group, and to air their opinions about the requirements for making their island a better place to live in. However, discounting officials of various constituted bodies and members of Gozo's expatriate community, who formed a sizeable part of the audience, it was obvious that only a handful of native Gozitan residents were present. Dr Vassallo, head of the EP Valletta Office, explained that the citizens' fora, rather than being a series of lectures, had the purpose of collecting ideas from people who were directly affected by legislation and the planning of new projects.

Ms Kallenbach, who is currently a member of the European Parliament's committee on regional development, said that the committee had observed a much higher success rate of projects if citizens were involved in the decision-making process. A new strategy for distribution of EU funds was to demand an integrated approach that would see all authorities of a region collaborating on sectoral projects. Moreover, partnerships were encouraged between authorities and citizens, who often came up with more creative and innovative ideas.

Ms Kallenbach thanked Alternattiva Demokratika for inviting her to Gozo and for an extensive tour around the island. "You showed me the bright and the dark sides," she said. It had surprised her that the new road to San Lawrenz did not include a bicycle lane, and to see so many empty houses as well as new and abandoned construction sites. "But on the whole, from what I have seen, I really believe that Gozo is a unique place, it has potential for becoming an ecological island."

Before opening the discussion to the floor, hydrologist Marco Cremona outlined the importance of sustainable tourism and utilisation of renewable energy. The pressure on resources such as water was critical. If normally a person consumed an average of 70 to 80 litres per day, for each tourist in a 5-star hotel this figure was inflated to up to 300 litres. More groundwater was being extracted than input, resulting in the salination of aquifers. Even one of the islands' most obvious raw materials, limestone, was limited. If construction continued at its current rate, this resource would be used up in 50 years' time and would then have to be imported. So would it not be sensible to utilise currently-empty houses, which made up 30 per cent of all dwellings?

Mr Cremona gave the example of the small Danish island of Samso, which took part in ‒ and won ‒ a national contest for offshore islands to come up with an ecological master plan to become entirely energy-sustainable. Its 1,500 inhabitants worked together and devised a successful plan, which ultimately stimulated the economy and afforded the population an improved quality of life and a clean environment.

Ultimately it was up to the Gozitans to decide whether an ecological island was what they wanted. Were they prepared to limit the amount of tourists? Would all farmers accept organic farming, which was imperative for an ecological island? What about accessibility of walkways in the countryside, which was at present problematic when tourists met hunters?

Participation in the ensuing debate was lively and peppered with criticism, yet notably amic-able. Joe Spiteri, one of the owners of Ta' Mena Estate and responsible for its agricultural aspect, fully embraces the organic farming concept. But he pointed out that establishing an organic farm in Gozo was actually impossible. Regulations stipulate a minimum distance of five miles between organic and other farms, in order to eliminate the risk of contamination. This was unworkable on an island the size of Gozo, unless all farms were organic. Mr Spiteri also deplored the bureaucratic formalities which all but hindered anyone who wanted to establish an organic farm; he had waited for two years for a permit to construct a reservoir for the collection of rainwater.

One gentleman angrily remarked that the "integrated approach", which Ms Kallenbach had mentioned, was not practised in Gozo. "What about Ħondoq?" he asked "80 per cent voted against, but the result is ignored!"

With regard to lack of water, which was a problem affecting the entire Mediterranean, Arnold Cassola remarked that the water treatment plant had been chosen without taking agriculture into consideration; its water cannot be used for farming. He also pointed out that families had to have two cars because the existing public transport provided no alternative.

Betty Berry, an English resident in Gozo for 32 years, said she still loved the island, but the air quality had deteriorated. It was an ordeal to visit Victoria in the mornings, due to traffic jams and massive, overloaded construction trucks that were way too large for the island. Were they ever checked for their axle weights?

An Australian gentleman, who together with his wife had chosen Gozo as location to set up a high-tech business after travelling to more than 30 countries all over the world, had words of praise for the support they had received from the local authorities. He marvels at the idea of Smart City, but would like to see it extended to Gozo, which was perfect for IT-related business, as no more than computers and internet access were needed.

In closing, Ms Kallenbach reiterated that it was a good idea to bring people together and let them encourage one another by working together. She expressed her hope that this was a start and not a one-time event.Following the discussion, all guests were treated to tasty samples of Ta' Mena's organically grown food and wine ‒ a practical approach to teaching the difference!