Qala Local Council Mayor Paul Buttigieg has highlighted the fact that every summer, concerns are raised about the presence of caravans at Hondoq Bay in Gozo.

The Mayor added that “as in previous years, some have attempted to place the blame on the Local Council – or on me personally – for not taking action.

Buttigieg, in a statement, clarified that “the area where these caravans are parked is private property. Therefore, the responsibility for addressing this matter lies entirely with the property owners. The Council has no legal authority to intervene, regulate, or enforce any action on private land.”

He went on to say that this issue has also been referred to the police. “However, since it involves private land, it remains a private matter between the landowners and the relevant authorities.”

The Qala Mayor pointed out that, several years ago, he had attempted to clear boulders brought in by the sea during storms from that same area, in order to create additional parking space. “Unfortunately, I was stopped from proceeding with that effort.”

Buttigieg noted that “another issue that has been brought to our attention concerns the overgrowth of bamboo weeds along the road leading down to Hondoq. These are growing on private land and are obstructing drivers’ visibility, posing a clear safety hazard.”

He said that “once again, it is the legal responsibility of the landowner to remove this danger. The owner has been approached but is currently refusing to take action.”

“We also regularly receive complaints about the lack of upkeep in the landscaped areas at Hondoq,” stated the Mayor. “Once again, the Council cannot carry out work in these areas, as they are not public property. The Council’s authority and responsibility are limited strictly to public areas, which include the pier and the sandy beach area only.”

Mayor Buttigieg stressed that “these situations highlight the ongoing challenges we face when dealing with private property. While the Council remains committed to public safety and to keeping Hondoq accessible and enjoyable for all, we are limited by what the law allows us to do on land that is not public.”

The concluded by saying that the Qala Local Council “appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation in addressing these concerns through the proper channels.”

Photo: Qala Local Council/Paul Buttigieg

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