Momentum said that following a request for information, Transport Malta confirmed that the new mooring plans for Ghadira Bay have the potential to accommodate around 460 moorings within a total area of 623,000m². The Party said that this is roughly the size of a 2 km stretch, the combined length of Valletta and Floriana, with a 300-metre-wide mooring zone.

“While TM tries to downplay the environmental visual impact of the reorganisation of mooring areas,” Momentum said a graphic image shows how 460 moorings will look on a map in the mooring zones, highlighting the “intensity of the mooring.”

Matthew Agius, executive member of Momentum, welcomed the clarity provided by TM but expressed concern that the consultation process has so far been limited.

“In their reply, TM confirmed it consulted with mooring holders and water sports operators, but we believe the process should also actively include local councils, sailing clubs, non-motorised water sports groups, environmental NGOs, and tourism stakeholders. A broader consultation would ensure that all those who value G?adira Bay, whether it is for leisure, sport, environment, or tourism, can contribute to shaping its future.”

He said that “the proposed plans indicate that the front of the bay would be fully taken up by moorings positioned just behind the swimming zone. This would mean that motorised and sailing boats without designated moorings would need to anchor further out in Mellieha Bay, during summer and winter. Momentum believes that with a more inclusive approach, a balance can be struck.”

Momentum is proposing that:

An environmental impact assessment is done, irrespective of whether this was a mooring reorganisation exercise.

All stakeholders, such as the local councils, sailing clubs, non-motorised water sports groups, environmental NGOs, and tourism stakeholders, should be involved in a consultation process, not just the commercial people who gain financially directly from the bay.

A section at the front of the bay behind the swimming zone should be left free without any moorings for everyone to enjoy.

Momentum said it sees Ghadira Bay as a “national treasure that should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone: swimmers, people on the shore, and those at sea. The current configuration has prioritised moorings, leaving little space for non-motorised activities and general public enjoyment.”

It concluded by saying that “a balanced plan that respects both the environment and the different public interests is urgently needed.”

Photos: Momentum

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