From L. G. Kreupl

I feel must reply to Mr Gerada-Azzopardi’s letter “The Ta’ Cenc Heritage Park Project” of 26 August.

Yes, I am an interfering foreigner who settled in your midst 17 years ago, and one of the many foreign residents who contribute a considerable amount to the economy; and who indirectly create or sustain many jobs – from Air Malta to the greengrocer on the corner. I have invested a lot of money and time in Gozo and the majority of my income is spent there. I regard it as my home and have many wonderful Gozitan and Maltese friends and acquaintances. It is for these people and their children that I put pen to paper and attend protest meetings – not for myself. I am already an oldie and, as far as I am concerned, when I become a composty (that is, die), Gozo can sink under all the concrete being piled onto it. However, I am trying to ensure that future generations will perhaps still be able to experience the Gozo I know and love.

I am certainly not a pre-war self-appointed messiah (what a lovely expression), however, for your information, democratic countries do expropriate private property if it is in the national interest, even in modern times. An example are the National Parks in Austria. The concept was proposed in 1971 and the first National Park was officially opened in 1992, and the last in 2002. Obviously huge tracts of land were expropriated to establish these National Parks. Of course the owners were compensated. Today these parks are not only of environmental significance but they are important tourist attractions. Incidentally, in case you are unaware of the fact, Austria is a democracy.

A golf course on Gozo (or Malta for that matter) will not attract many golf tourists. The golfers of my acquaintance holiday in places where they can expect superb food and accommodation as well as the choice of several golf courses.

I commend the owner/developer for his generosity in offering to declare part of his property as a protected “Heritage Park”, but one cannot have a hotel and numerous houses/villas in the middle of a heritage park/nature reserve. By all means upgrade the existing hotel, which is beautiful and unobtrusive, but it is surely not necessary to enlarge it or to increase the present height. This will not create additional jobs – how many Gozitans are actually employed in the hotel business?

Gozo is not, and never will be a five-star destination – the infrastructure is simply not there and the competition from other, far more unspoilt islands and coastal resorts is too great. It could, however, be marketed as a destination for people who would like peace and quiet, who would like to be able to walk and enjoy the magnificent countryside and who would like to explore all the archaeological and historic aspects of the island – ideally from one national park, or nature reserve to another, right around the island. These people are not necessarily the mega-mega-rich, but neither are they without funds. They would create permanent employment in the form of guides, park rangers, and so on. in addition to the normal services required by visitors.

On the other hand, upmarket villas would only provide employment for domestic staff, most of whom would be guest workers from other less fortunate countries.

I suggest Mr Gerada-Azzopardi and the owner travel to America and visit the national parks there – which are all financially self-sufficient and which attract an enormous number of tourists.

Unfortunately most of the coastal areas of Gozo appear to be privately owned – a grave mistake of the various governments in the past. A mistake that should be rectified as soon as possible. Once permission is granted to build on the Ta’ Cenc plateau, Hondoq, Ramla and even Xlendi point will become concrete jungles.

If you don’t believe me, take a look at the upmarket ghetto squatting on top of the once stunning Fort Chambray, or the high-security prison-like hotel sitting in the middle of a field in San Lawrenz.

Gozo is so small and still so beautiful, please lets protect it for future generations while we can.

Lesley G. Kreupl

GHARB