Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) welcomes the fact that the latest plans for the Valletta bus terminus upgrade no longer include changes to the Tritons Fountain. This fountain is the work of Vincent Apap, one of Malta’s leading sculptors, and its Grade 1 protection stipulates that it cannot be tampered with in any way.

While FAA recognises the need to upgrade the area, the NGO maintains that with judicious planning this can be carried out sustainably in every sense.  The plan to remove around forty local mature trees and replace them with imported, non-indigenous trees needs to be re-examined urgently.

The Italian landscape company is proposing to plant some 45 Pinus pinea trees around the bus terminus area as was done at the Coliseum in Rome.  While this tree is in context in Italy, it is out of place against Maltese bastions. Being very sensitive, Pinus pinea is not easy to transplant; from the 30 or so planted at the bus terminus, seven or more have already died and some have been replanted. Considering that these cost up to €10,000 each, one has to keep in mind the excessive expense for 45 such pines to be planted around the Triton fountain.

The FAA Tree Group recommends that if a tall tree which is not dense is needed, the indigenous (local) Poplar tree, Populus alba can be used. Such trees can also grow quite fast if given the proper attention. This would be far more affordable and acceptable considering that the bastions, the focal point of this project, will be in the midst of local indigenous species, and not seen in the background of something which never grew in the Maltese Islands.

Some of the trees to be destroyed are protected indigenous old oaks (Quercus ilex). Their replacement by non-indigenous trees adds to the lack of commitment to protect local biodiversity which Malta is committed to do by EU directives. This is the only urban oak canopy we have on the island and is iconic of the King Edward streetscape, the only large tree canopy and cooling element in the area.

Health issues must also be considered.  Last week it was revealed that Malta has the highest rate of increase of CO2 in the EU. A leading Maltese economist has just stated that “pollution is costing Malta an estimated at 70 million”. This would be incurred in treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as cancer triggered by pollution and deaths caused by pollution, as well as in damage to property.  This serious health issue cannot be overlooked and steps have to be taken to remedy this situation. The lack of shade and appropriate trees has serious health implications and repercussions especially as regards the very real threat of skin cancer. Needle trees such as pines, are also less effective in controlling pollution than broad-leaf trees and provide less shade, which makes them a poor choice for this project.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar reminds the authorities that the EU obliges government to hold wide consultation with its citizens on major projects like the one being contemplated for the Floriana Valletta open space and green enclave. The Aahrus Convention was already ignored by the previous government and if Government persists in ignoring the general public, the FAA will not have any other alternative but to discuss the matter with the EU.

Regrettably this project by the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure lacks good governance, giving more importance to commercial interests than to biodiversity and health concerns, however the proposals can all be undertaken sustainably if social and ecological aspects are respected.

Astrid Vella

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar