Heavy going was reported in two meetings called yesterday to discuss a draft plan for the improved management of the Dwejra area and even more storms are expected today when the draft plan is discussed at a meeting for San Lawrenz and Gharb residents.

The draft plan was drawn up by a steering committee for the management of Dwejra and its surroundings.

There is widespread agreement, a spokesman for the steering committee told The Malta Independent on Sunday, that the Dwejra area must be better managed or else it can be lost for posterity. NGO Nature Trust has also obtained funds from the EU programme LIFE with this aim.

The draft plan includes:

• The setting up of an “interpretative centre” to explain Dwejra to its visitors. This will have its own restaurant.

• Better arrangements regarding parking;

• The resurfacing of roads;

• Better upkeep of Torri Dwejra, recently restored;

• Saving the Dwejra Window which, unless something is done to it, could collapse in a future storm;

• Better management of fishing (only traditional fishing will be allowed) and diving (It is simply not true that divers will be made to pay, said steering committee spokesmen);

• Eliminating the practice of fuelling boats out at sea;

• Better management of anchoring;

• The restoration of degraded sites, although one must be careful here, the sources said, because almost all the franka stone used in Gozo comes from this quarry;

• The owners of the boat houses in the Inland Sea area must pay a fine for their illegal development and all future development will be blocked. Embellishment must be carried out.

• More use of solar energy;

• More toilets in the Inland Sea area;

• Restoration of the Dwejra chapel.

The draft is available on the Mepa website. The consultation period is still open.

The steering committee will also contribute to the implementation of the project, which will be reviewed every two years.