The PN has labelled the government’s to the proposed manure recycling site in Munxar is just “a game of words” and claimed that Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana, and her predecessor Anton Refalo, held a meeting with farmers and herdsman, where they insisted that they did not have any alternative sites.
There were also claims within the statement that the government has failed to implement the National Plan for Waste Management 2014-2020.
The Malta Independent on Sunday earlier reported how residents are up in arms because the plant, which will be used for the management and storage of manure, will begin operating despite the detrimental effect it could have on the surrounding community as the only road to the site is through Munxar's centre.
Sources also said that no planning application has yet been filed for a change of use of the area, formerly a cattle farm in Triq Zgħawri, to start functioning as a manure processing plant.
Earlier, Mayor Philip Vella confirmed with The Malta Independent that the Sannat Local Council has presented a letter of complaint concerning the proposed slurry and manure disposal site in Munxar to the Planning Authority and a number of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries after residents of the area expressed concerns regarding the lack of information surrounding the project.
This follows the Local Council of Munxar’s formal objection on the issue.
The letter was addressed to Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg, Environment Minister Jose Herrera, Energy and Water Minister Joe Mizzi, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Clint Camilleri, Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg, and Water Services Chairman Mario Zammit.
“Where is the site? What is happening? Why here? We have no idea what is going on,” the Mayor said yesterday.
Vella was keen to stress that the Local Council is in favour of the introduction of a proper waste management system for manure and slurry in Gozo, saying that the situation has gone unchecked for over 12 years. He insisted, however, that the proposed location is not suitable, given that its vicinity to the residents of Munxar and Sannat could pose environmental and health risks.
He also said that while the development does not fall within the boundaries of the locality, it will still impact Sannat’s residents and surrounding landscape.
Vella said that he has suggested “that the Tal-Fessej area in Ghajnsielem would be more appropriate given that the Gozo Sewage Plant is over there. I know it sounds frank, but once a site is already spoiled, they may as well concentrate similar initiatives there.”
Munxar council formally objects to proposal
The PL-led Munxar Local Council has also formally objected to the proposed processing plant for livestock’s manure in the locality, in a letter addressed to the Planning Authority and a number of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.
PN Statement
A PN statement read as follows:
"Although the Government has drawn up the National Plan for Waste Management 2014 - 2020, which was approved in January 2014, the government is yet to implement it, which places our country at risk with the EU."
"In Gozo, everyone knows that the current Minister of Gozo Justyne Caruana, and her predecessor Anton Refalo, held meetings with farmers and herdsman, were they insisted that they did not have any other alternative sites to Munxar."
"Contracts have even been signed between the farmers and the operator."
"The Minister even expressed her disappointment to the tourism sector that the Local Council of Sannat was against the project."
MP David Stellini said that "the Government statement failed to mention is that there are risks associated with the project which means that the small locality is not suitable for this project."