Group chairperson Catherine Polidano said the valley had been an important cotton producing area but this industry had died down and the area was being threatened by illegal and industrial encroachment although it lies outside the development zone. Ms Polidano said there an application had been made for a waste separation plant to be constructed in the valley and this had led to the formation of an action group which was actively campaigning for a moratorium on all construction inside Wied Garnaw.

Ms Polidano insisted that the group was in favour of waste separation but the Santa Lucija community was not going to tolerate such plants being built on its doorstep. She said such a plant should be built inside industrial estates were there was 25 per cent spare capacity already and not in green areas. Ms Polidano said MEPA had promised that restoration works would soon begin inside the valley and that the 17 illegal developments would be tackled in the near future.

Ms Polidano concluded by asking MEPA to heed its collection of over 4000 signatures and for the development application of the waste separation plant to be refused. The recommendation of MEPA officials had also reported unfavourably on this development. The press was also addressed by Santa Lucija mayor, Frderick Cutajar who said that the council was foursquare behind the action group and would give its full support to its activities to safeguard the area of Wied Garnaw for future generations.

A symbolic activity was also conducted in the area close to the valley when white doves were released and some olive trees were planted close to the corbel stone hut that lies at the entrance of Santa Lucija.