Hondoq should be included in Public Domain Act – Graffitti

by Gozo News · August 22, 2023

Hondoq should be included in Public Domain Act - Graffitti Moviment Graffitti is calling for Hondoq ir-Rummien to be included in the Public Domain Act.

The activist group reminded that following the victory in Hondoq ir-Rummien, Prime Minister Robert Abela promised to amend planning laws to protect Hondoq.

“It’s obvious,” insisted Graffitti, “sensitive public and private areas that remain open for speculation should be protected.”

It also issued a “reminder” to “Robert Abela that in 2016, the state amended the Civil Code to strengthen the protection of and access to sensitive and important sites. This was popularly known as the Public Domain Act.”

Graffitti said that “the Act is meant to safeguard public access to the first 15 metres of the coastline as well as other sensitive sites.”

However – it pointed out that “since 2016, only 2 small areas have been included – 4 years later – and with none of the 24 sites suggested by NGOs acquiring the required classification.”

In fact, Graffitti highlighted that “a number of land giveaways over the years and the authorities’ refusal to classify new sites as public domain prove that the government is yet to start taking the Public Domain Act seriously and protect areas of natural and cultural importance.”

For example, it said, “in 2020, large tracts of land in Mizieb and Ahrax were transfered to the FKNK behind closed doors, thus depriving the public’s right to enjoy these areas throughout most of the year. FKNK still seemingly controls the site – despite the courts finding this agreement illegal.”

Then recently, in Sliema Chalet and Qawra, Graffitti said that “coastal sites were declassified from public domain.”

This, Graffitti claimed, was done “to appease business interests and robbed the public from beautiful coastal areas.”

It also argued that “there’s still a vast number of illegally occupied public lands, as well as privately owned sensitive areas that deprive the general population from rights of passage.”

Moviment Graffitti concluded by saying, “we reiterate our demand that the provisions within this Act should be implemented in order to safeguard the public’s right to enjoyment of areas of natural and cultural importance throughout the Maltese islands.”