Recently, an application (PA 01141/06), along with an Environment Planning Statement of the area, was submitted to MEPA to relocate a petrol station from its present site in Floriana to the area known as Ta’ Buqana limits of Rabat.

Moviment Graffitti argues that Ta’ Buqana should not be ruined by the building of a petrol station. Apart from the fact that such a development would ruin the surroundings of the locality, it would also have negative impacts on the water conservation of the area.

Consequently, Moviment Graffiti is against the relocation of this petrol station due the fact that the locality:

• lies outside the development zone

• is utilised for agricultural purposes, where a substantial number of farmers cultivate their land and grow vegetables, fruit and cereals.

• is classified as a high landscape value and conservation area, particularly since the northern side of Buqana is linked to the Chadwick Lakes valley.

• aids rain water conservation through a mean sea level aquifer, a number of reservoirs and open culverts as well as a number of boreholes by the Water Services Corporation.

• the area is of historical cultural significance, being the oldest fief on the islands in continuous ownership.

Furthermore:

• The development runs counter to any concept of agro-tourism in the locality.

• There are already three petrol stations in the area, and, with Malta being so small, distances are short so it does not make sense to destroy more agricultural land. The Rabat Local Council in the Environment Planning Statement has also put such consideration forward.

• The local council is against this development due to environmental, agricultural and historical issues.

• The farmers of the locality are also against this same development.

• The area lies in the parameters of Rabat, Mtarfa and Mosta, and is an open agricultural space that separates these villages from one another.

Moviment Graffitti urges MEPA to refuse outright this application for development. The area is currently an open landscape that surely shouldn’t be touched. It should be noted that a number of residents, the Rabat local council as well as the farmers working the land are against this development because of environmental, agricultural and historical issues.

Moviment Graffitti maintains that the only development that should be permitted in the area should be one related to agriculture and the conservation of water