The Malta Maritime Authority published recommendations this week on the development of yachting facilities in which it proposed 860 additional berths.
Thus 310 berths were being recommended at Sa Maison, 170 at Menqa, and an additional 100 and 280 berths were recommended at Ta’ Xbiex and Manoel Island (South side) respectively.
In principle, the authority suggested that the development of new permanent marinas should be focused inside existing harbours. Furthermore, it suggested that the development of temporary marinas should not be exclusively restricted to installed floating pontoons but must also take into consideration the possibility of utilizing other acceptable systems such as “organized mooring fields” in certain areas.
A 300-berth-marina extending from the Gozo Channel berth at Sa Maison up to beyond the existing entrance of the Armed Forces of Malta Maritime Squadron will be developed. Thus the AFM will concede part of its site to make way for the development since Grand Harbour has limited quay space to meet AFM needs. The authority will complete the planning process, including the preparation of an environment impact assessment, to obtain a full development permit for the development of the marina and required breakwater at Sa Maison. The planning process is planned to be concluded by September 2010, after which the Authority will issue a request for proposals for the development and operation of the marina.
Menqa in Marsa was also recommended for development as a permanent marina in line with the government’s vision to regenerate Grand Harbour. However, the development of this site is dependent on the relocation of the petroleum berth at Flagstone wharf.
Meanwhile, the proposed additional 380 berthing spaces at Ta’ Xbiex / Manoel Island marina is dependent on the construction of a breakwater at Lazaretto Point by MIDI plc.
MMA will continue to liase with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to ensure that MIDI develops the breakwater within the next five years. Once the development of the breakwater is completed, the Authority will issue a request for proposals for the privatisation of the Ta’ Xbiex (Gzira Gardens) marina.
For the time being, most of the other sites proposed as permanent marinas were not recommended for future consideration. Sliema, Valletta and St Paul’s Bay – Veccja, were considered an expensive option in view of the investment required to construct an adequate breakwater in relation to the number of berths created, and the necessary reclamation to provide adequate parking facilities and amenities. Likewise, Marsascala and Birzebbuga need adequate breakwaters and may eventually be considered as part of a proposal to further develop the areas.
The MMA commissioned Colin Toms & Partners (CTP) to prepare the necessary technical studies associated with installing a floating breakwater at Kalkara, which concluded that a floating breakwater does not provide the required levels of shelter to adequately protect the site from the longer period waves created by the north-easterly swell. The site was also not recommended for further consideration.
Furthermore, St Julian’s was not recommended for further consideration due to the likely environmental impact associated with the development and the loss of amenity due to the proximity of established swimmers’ zones.
Mgarr (Gozo), Cirkewwa, Marfa (ex Gozo ferry quay), Qawra (East side), Ta’ Xbiex (next to Royal Malta Yacht Club), Kalkara (between Villa Bighi and Villa Portelli), Marsascala (Zonqor point), Birzebbuga (San Gorg) were being considered as temporary marinas while Ta’ Xbiex (between Gzira gardens and the water polo club) and Sa Maison (assuming Gozo ferry is transferred to Grand Harbour) were pending the development of a permanent marina.