Moviment Graffitti has expressed serious concerned about new proposals for the development of Hondoq ir-Rummien, which would convert a large part of the area into a tourist village complete with yacht marina.

”We feel that Hondoq ir-Rummien is once again under threat, and that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority should reject this project, as it lies outside the development scheme set up by Mepa itself. We should also remember that natural landscape in Malta and Gozo had already been given the green light for further destruction by the government,” a Moviment Graffiti spokesperson said.

The area earmarked for development is one of the few remaining beaches in Gozo and the one mostly frequented by Gozitan people. Residents of Qala voted overwhelmingly against the development in a referendum in 2002.

”Our country is losing a lot of land to rampant development. This situation is totally unsustainable, resulting in a lot of environmental damage and lack of adequate open public places,” the NGO said.

Moviment Graffitti concluded that the area earmarked for development at Hondoq ir-Rummien should remain free from development, and accessible to all Gozitan people.

The disused quarry which is very much to the developers’ heart can be rehabilitated and converted into a small forest.