The overdevelopment in Gozo, and its future, which is very much a hot topic at the moment, was the subject of a debate organised by the Gozo University instead of Gozo Week, which this year could not take place due to the current situation.

This debate was moderated by local TV presenter Mr. Mark Laurence Zammit and the panel was made up of various organisations, namely, the Gozo Regional Development Authority, Regjun Ghawdex, the Gozo Business Chamber, the Gozo Tourism Authority, Din l-Art Helwa, as well as Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar.

Chelsea Muscat set the ball rolling for the debate with her very own video on overdevelopment in Gozo, focusing in particular on her hometown, Nadur.

The Gozo Regional Development Authority started off by expressing its concern regarding excessive development which is “tarnishing Gozo’s unique characteristic,” it said.

On its behalf, Mr. Mario Borg also stated that if this irreparable damage continues, the people in Gozo “will have a price to pay, both in the short term and in the long term.”

Regjun Ghawdex speaker, Dr. Samuel Azzopardi, argued that Gozo’s development needs to be more prudent and respect the characteristics which make up part of our island’s culture. Moreover, he appealed for the need for policies focusing specifically on Gozo, and not just for all conservation areas.

The Gozo Business Chamber – represented by Architect Edward Scerri – expressed its concern regarding the green-belt between Gozitan villages which at the moment lies at the mercy of developers.

Additionally, it stressed the importance of up keeping and upgrading urban conservation areas through incentives aimed at safeguarding their characteristics. Furthermore, “the quality and height of buildings are two concepts which must be taken into consideration in a practical manner,” Scerri said.

Dr. Astrid Vella’s concerns, on behalf of Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar were very similar to that of her peers. Statistics show that housing units in Gozo increased by 223%, of which 900 were flats, a rate which is higher than Malta’s, she noted.

Dr Vella also stated that 17% of permits issued in Gozo were in ODZ areas. “Sadly, such overdevelopment is negatively affecting Gozo’s tourism, a sector upon which our island greatly depends.”

The Business Chamber responded that although amending such policies and schemes would be the way forward, such a process is too time consuming. It also suggested that short-term amendments be completed to cater for the transition period whilst major long-term amendments are drawn up.

In this regard, Din l-Art Helwa stated that politicians must find a system through which a balance is found without the need of eliminating economic development. “After all this is what keeps the wheel turning,” it said.

On a final note, everyone agreed that Members of Parliament “should take more effective actions since, after all, they serve as our representatives. It is a must that politicians realise, preferably sooner rather than later, that certain development practices are leaving a negative mark on Gozo, one which will not be easily erased.”

The panel noted that, “besides politicians, local councils must also be allowed to have their say on decisions taken by public authorities; they should be involved in affairs that concern them. Considering the centralisation of power which permeates today’s day and age, it is rightful to agree with the speakers’ proposal that planning and development, should be placed under the cap of regional governance, since the Public Authority’s adoption of a one-size fits all approach, has turned out to be defective, causing irreparable damage to our island.”

This debate may be accessed in full on the GUG’s Facebook page. The GUG will now be drafting a policy document addressing this issue of overdevelopment in Gozo. It said that this document will then be published and accessible by the general public and will be forwarded to the relevant authorities.

GUG appealed that everyone voice their concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Gozo. “Drastic times call for drastic measures and, if the current situation continues, it will not be long before the applaudable actions taken in Had-Dingli this week by protesters will become even more common across the islands.”

“Hopefully, we can finally reach a conclusion where the current uglification of Gozo stops once and for all and future development on the island would be sustainable and respects Gozo’s unique character,” it said.

The GUG concluded by saying that “Gozitans and residents have had enough of seeing their interests brushed aside by the greedy, rich few. Unity is strength and only through such unity will we be able to save our island.”

Photo: GUG

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