Looking at the major projects in the pipeline for the locality, Marsascala mayor Mario Calleja mentioned the Mwadar Natural Park, the American University of Malta, a garden above the old waterpolo pitch, an embellishment project financed by the Foundation for tourism zone development, and the new local council administration building on a small part of St Anne’s garden.
Mayor Calleja also revealed that he will be going out for the general election on the PL ticket, in both the third and fifth districts. “I contested last time round on the fifth. One might ask why I didn’t contest the third, because there was the local council and I didn’t want to contest the three on both. But I got 700 first counts on the fifth, which is very good.”
Asked how he plans to deal with his anti-environment image, he mentioned that he is in favour of sustainable development. “I wouldn’t agree with hotels on Zonqor for example. While I am pro-business, at no time will I agree that the land there be taken up by business.” He mentioned that the project was for educational purposes, given that a university will be built. He asked whether the sites of Mater Dei Hospital and the Ta’ Qali football pitch were also built on open land. He said that if a project is sustainable, one must discuss it. “At no time am I saying I am against the environment, God forbid.”
The Council was divided over the AUM construction in Zonqor. Has this changed?
Those who were against are still against. We are a democracy and you cannot force anyone. There was so much transparency that the Deputy Mayor, who is a PL Councillor, went out against the project. Can you blame her? Definitely not. She is a tree lover, as her own Facebook page reads. She likes the environment.
Overall, I don’t think the issue was an environmental one, but it was more political. We know what happened, the Opposition Leader came, many people did not know where Zonqor was. I think the issue became political, which I didn’t like.
In addition, I did not agree with the project because I am a Labour Councillor. I agreed with the project as Marsascala needs investment. Since Jerma closed, Marsascala has died. The restaurants and bars here remain open thanks to the Maltese not tourists. In fact we are trying to introduce a hop on - hop off to bring a few tourists. This is a nice area, natural, and the place strikes you, but they need something better for tourists, not just to walk the promenade.
The university will create tourism. Students here will have their families come over, they will need places to stay etc.
Where will the students stay?
There are a lot of unrented apartments in the area. Students tend to rent apartments in groups. From when the university was last mentioned, properties had a breadth of fresh air. It is completely different from when we were fighting the recycling plant controversy, as there we were talking about property values dropping. This had the opposite effect. Since people know more people will be coming here, those persons who own apartments, were careful, raised rents slightly etc.
Isn’t there somewhere else around Marsascala that the University could be placed, rather than an area that was earmarked for a nature park?
The nature park will be built and only a small part will be taken up by the university. There isn’t anywhere else to build it.
What about Jerma?
It’s private. Can you oblige them to sell it? The last person who spoke to me about negotiating over Jerma told me he was told that the owner was not ready to sell it. We have a parking problem here, where there are garages that can fit six cars, yet would be empty at night. Can I make them put their cars in the garage. No, as it is private property.
One of the major pros in favour of the university debated back when the council was discussing the project was access to the university sports venues for the local sports clubs. Is this still the case?
It depends on what they will have. We don’t know the plans yet. If the university remained at the original proposed size in Zonqor, the new Waterpolo pitch being proposed would have been built there. I believe that is what we were debating, that no matter what facilities they would have, the Maltese would be able to use them. That all fell now, as the waterpolo pitch won’t be there and will be built elsewhere, and the new football pitch will be elsewhere.
I also supported the project as nothing was going against the law. The only way to develop ODZ land is for healthcare or educational services, so no laws were broken.
The PN said they will try and convince the Sadeen group not to use Zonqor if elected…
Firstly I doubt they will be elected as they are not doing anything well. I am not just saying this as a PL Councillor, but even due to the way they handled this week. I think the PN is going too personal. But, to answer your question, if they do that they will destroy businesses in the area. For many years, this area was forgotten. If anything happened in the area, it was thanks to the Council, through schemes. Government had done nothing here. Today, since we see some development, we try and create obstacles.
Nowadays, when government tries to create a project, there will be an objection no matter what it is. This is due to the close elections.
Will you be seeking a planning gain for the project?
The planning gain is a UIF scheme. The UIF has funds by developers for the inconvenience done by developers during construction. If you do not use them, government will take them, so we literally drink them up. So for planning gains we are covered by law.
Have you been in contact with AUM administration?
No, the only time I met with them was when they met the council, and presented us with a power-point presentation.
Where will the new local council administrative building be constructed?
On a small paved area in St Anne’s Garden.
Why don’t you choose another location, given that it has caused some controversy?
Where? There is no location and there are no currently existing buildings that can be used for the council. We’ve been looking for the past years.
We are trying to create a one stop shop. Next to the school, the new police station will be built, to replace the temporary one currently placed in Marsascala. The Council and the station will be near the Berga, and near the meeting hall.
By constructing the new building, we will avoid the €11,000 rent for the current council building each year, and we will gain accessibility given that the current council building does not have a lift or anything like that.
What's going on with the Jerma site?
It is private property, and we have done all we can to try and push them to clean the area and do something with the place, but it is private property, and they must deal with the Planning Authority regarding fresh plans. But the last time plans were presented, they dealt with three enormous towers which are a non-starter.
You had previously said you liked the idea of high-rise there…
There is a high-rise, then there is a high-rise. I couldn’t agree with those three proposed monstrous towers. It was more than I expected.
What’s your ideal result for the Jerma site?
That there be a hotel. If there are luxury apartments or villas and a boutique hotel, one would consider. What is also important is that there be no obstacles for present villas, and we also hope the St Thomas Tower be refurbished and remain visible from the sea.