Wirt Ghawdex has said this evening that they cannot agree with the proposed Hondoq ir-Rummien project and has submitted their objections to MEPA.
They went of to say that while they agree that the disturbed land of the quarry needs rehabilitating, the society has grave reservations about this project.
“Typically, marinas tend to pollute the surrounding waters and Wirt Ghawdex’s biggest concern is that a marina would ruin this unique shoreline and unspoilt area. The society also questions the need for another marina right next door to the one at Mgarr which has just been privatized and is planned to grow.”
“Gozo already has too many empty dwellings and building another massive complex of apartments and villas carries no benefit to the overall standard of life on the island. In fact the effects of air pollution during construction will be of great detriment to the residents and the environment. While the construction phase would create some temporary employment opportunities, this project has a high risk of non-sustainability.”
Notwithstanding the developer’s EIA, the society said that they believe that this project will have a significant, negative impact on the island’s environment.
Wirt Ghawdex concluded by saying that that they do not believe that this is the type of development that is appropriate, sustainable or in line with Eco-Gozo. MEPA has an obligation to judge this project as to whether it addresses the balance between Gozo’s need for prosperity and the need to protect the island’s unique environment.
Wirt Ghawdex Committee
6 Comments To "Wirt Ghawdex objects to Hondoq ir-Rummien project"
#1 Comment By CHARLIE MIZZI NICK NAME TA-RE On June 10, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
I AGREE 100% WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN, THE GOVERNMENT SHOVLD KNOW THAT THE OIL AND DIESEL IS UNHEALTHY IN THE SEA FOR PEOPLE TO SWIM IN HONDOQ-IR-RUMMEN.
THE GOVERNMEnT SHOuLD STOP TAKING THE PEOPLE OF QALA FOR A RIDE – NO YACHT MARINA AND TOURIST VILLAGE, (MGARR IS GOOD) NOT AT HONDOQ
#2 Comment By l. Theuma On June 10, 2010 @ 5:37 pm
Wirt Ghawdex is right in objecting to the Hondoq ir-Rummien project. Gozo can’t afford losing a panorama in its natural state where tourists and locals relax in contact with mother nature alike.
Why should we not enjoy it as people beyond archeology enjoyed it five thousands years B.C. Progress in Gozo should not turn out into regress. Blessed are the generations of the past millennia who left it unspoiled for us.
#3 Comment By Mario On June 10, 2010 @ 5:38 pm
This sounds good to us. Up till now only the GRTU have issued a statement in favour of this project. What does this mean that EVERYONE IS WRONG and the developers are right?
Come on Giovanna if you really mean everything that you say about ECO Gozo then join the rest of Malta and Gozo and declare that you are against this rape of Hondoq
#4 Comment By Lesley Kreupl On June 10, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
Well done Wirt Ghawdex for having the guts to make a statement against this project. If this project goes through it will totally destroy one of the last (relatively) unspoiled gems in Gozo.
I was in the beautiful Blue Lagoon today and even though there were not many boats there, the water had a distinct oily film covering it by the time we left mid-afternoon.
The two coves in front of the hotel were also very murky and smelly – I certainly would not have liked to swim there. Unfortunately it seems that it is almost impossible to prevent some leakage of sewage from underwater pipes and of course a lot of yacht and boat owners have no compunction about emptying their sewage tanks into the sea or cleaning their diesel tanks. It is so much cheaper!
A marina and complex in Hondoq would be much, much larger than the complex on Comino and cause much more pollution. Comino would also be adversely affected as would the surrounding coast – from Mgarr to Ramla…..
Let everyone sign the petition and say NO to this project!
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#5 Comment By Joseph Cutajar On June 11, 2010 @ 2:25 am
Couldn’t have been said any better by Wirt Ghawdex.Hondoq needs to be really cleaned up and turned into a Park and Beach so all of us and generations to come can enjoy this beautiful place.Gozo needs places like Hondoq in its Natural beauty and not concrete buildings and stinky marinas .Thats why tourists visit Gozo because of places like Hondoq .This is not HARD to understand .Wirt Ghawdex really got it right .Clean up Hondoq cause thats what it really needs……….
#6 Comment By CHARLIE MIZZI NICK NAME TA-RE On June 11, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
DEAR PEOPLE OF QALA DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOW THAT YOU AND YOUR BELOVED ONES ARE FROM QALA AND THAT YOU ARE HERE TO SAVE HONDOQ-IR- RUMMIEN BAY.
GOZITANS AND MALTESE SAY NO TO THE YACHT MARINA AND TOURIST VILLAGE. IT WILL BE A GOOD IDEA TO PUT THE YACHT MARINA AT TAZ-ZRIEZAQ NOT AT HONDOQ-IR-RUMMIEN BAY. CLEAN UP HONDOQ AND MAKE A NATIONAL PARK. I AM PROUD OF OUR GRANDFATHERS WHO KEPT THE MILLONAIRES OUT OF HONDOQ-IR-RUMMIEN.