The FEE International Jury has found no irregularities into the way MEPA assessed, processed and is monitoring the upgrading works of seven kiosks along the Għadira Beach in Mellieħa after having evaluated a report which was compiled by the national Blue flag operators early last month, MEPA said in a statement.
This year, the International Jury has granted the Blue Flag Status to a total of nine beaches in Malta and Gozo and confirms that Għadira Bay is to retain its Blue Flag status. The other beaches which received the Blue Flag status for the coming season include Fond Għadir in Sliema, the Westin Dragonara Beach in St. Julian's, the Paradise Bay Hotel Beach in Ċirkewwa, St George's Bay in Paceville, the Buġibba perched beach, Qawra Point, Għajn Tuffieħa Bay in Mġarr and Ramla l-Ħamra in Gozo.
The Blue Flag Status is awarded to beaches across the world which meet high standards for water quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services and environmental management.
The FEE International Jury awarded the Blue Flag to Għadira Bay on condition that MEPA continues to monitor the construction of the kiosks to ensure compliance with the permits' conditions and method statements, and that the operation of the kiosks is monitored to ensure full compliance with the Blue Flag criteria.
The permit for the upgrading of the existing kiosks along the Għadira Bay is part of a holistic plan spearheaded by the Malta Tourism Authority to upgrade and embellish this highly popular tourist area. Through this holistic plan, facilities such as the Għadira kiosks, will adopt a uniform design and ensure the proper collection and disposal of waste according to sanitary regulations.
The authority, over these past weeks has been monitoring the permitted upgrading works on these kiosks to ensure that they comply with the method statement which was assessed and endorsed by the Environment Protection Directorate. Although not requiring a full development planning permit, the processing of these applications was rigorous to ensure that all environmental and planning considerations were addressed.
MEPA is also satisfied that the International Jury has recognised the efforts that MEPA and the Government Property Division have made over the past months to ensure that Golden Bay will be awarded the Blue Flag status for the 2016 season.
Over the past weeks MEPA's enforcement officers supervised the removal and demolition of a 465 square metre 'kiosk', which for years was located on the sandy beach at Golden Bay and the wooden staircase that led down to it from the upper road. The kiosk and stairs have not only been an eyesore but were also having an adverse impact on the protected ecology of the area.