The eNGOs Friends of the Earth Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Birdlife Malta, Moviment Graffitti, NatureTrust, Ramblers Association Malta and the Marsaskala Residents’ Network strongly condemn large-scale works that have commenced at Maraskala Promenade, when to date no complete plans of what is being proposed have been made public.

Two applications, PA 6645/25 for works to change a dilapidated quay below the promenade in Triq is-Salini into a ferry landing waiting area and PA 6646/25 for works to carry out dredging works, are still being processed with the objection period open for the general public, and yet it would seem that Infrastructure Malta has begun works without any permits in hand.

Moreover, these applications violate planning regulations as they lack visual impact studies which would show how the proposed ramp would intrude on this prominent coastal area, degrading its openness and character in violation of SPED Coastal Objective CO3, which protects recreational coastal areas. The proposed promenade works risk causing significant harm to the Natura 2000 site of Il-Magħluq, especially in the absence of thorough environmental impact assessments focusing on the site’s vital marine connectivity. The Authorities are being reminded that this is the site for very rare flora and fauna including the endemic National Fish of Malta – il-Buzaqq / the Killifish. Sidelining the ecological sensitivity of this site would represent a serious failure of the responsible authorities to safeguard rare species and habitats as required by the Habitats Directive.The eNGOs also highlight the fact that the proposed dredging poses serious threats to protected Posidonia meadows, affecting biodiversity, water quality, and coastal erosion, and risks to 5th Century underwater archaeological remains discovered there in 1993.

Most of all, the eNGOs and residents condemn the fact that the works are starting without an Environment Impact Assessment, habitat mapping, ecological assessment, archaeological assessment or marine survey, all legal requirements at both local and EU levels, demanded by SPED CO1, the EIA Regulations, EU Habitats Directive, the Cultural Heritage Act and Public Domain Act (public use of the first 15m of coast).

Malta is a signatory to the UN Aarhus Convention and the EU Directive which stipulate that Government “shall provide for early public participation, when all options are open and effective public participation can take place… identify the public concerned, to enter into discussions, and to provide information regarding the objectives of their application before applying for a permit.” None of this was done as not only the residents, but the very Marsaskala Local Councillors are being kept in the dark as to what is being planned beyond Infrastructure Malta’s claim of roadworks. This reckless and authoritarian behaviour breaks both Maltese and EU Law on a project that will affect the lives and health of the Marsaskala residents.Far from being a ‘Gvern li jisma’ (Government that listens to the people), IM is brushing aside the needs of residents through its lack of Social and Traffic Assessments, and greatly undermining their quality of life through the increased traffic, increased air and sea pollution, disruption to bathers, fishermen, and walkers in a much-needed recreational area in a densely-built-up area.

This is the arrogance and abuse of power that we are witnessing even before the passing of Bills 143 and 144, let alone what we will see once the bills dismantle planning regulations and the public’s right to participate in the planning process. This is why the eNGOs urge the public to attend the protest on Monday 27th October at the Law Courts in Valletta. Malta’s landscapes, heritage and residents’ quality of life depend on the revocation of these bills that will destroy Malta as we know it.