The Marsascala local council shall participate in the yacht marina decision-making process, Transport Malta has said.

Transport Malta recently issued preliminary designs for a marina project in Marsascala, which saw strong criticism. The proposal included plans to provide a docking area for 700 yachts of different sizes. The marina would be constructed across the bay from where. in time, a new water polo pitch could be built.

The Marsascala local council earlier this week took a vote against the project.

The Malta Independent sent a number of questions to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg, the majority of which were unanswered.

Borg was asked whether, since the local council voted against the project, it would be cancelled; if the ministry plans on contacting the council and discussing alternate designs; whether social and environment impact assessments will be carried out before taking any further steps; whether the council should have been more involved in the initial discussions before the document was released; and whether this proposal by Transport Malta really has resident’s interests at heart.

“Transport Malta has issued a Pre-Qualification Questionnare for the award of the concession of the design, build, operate, finance, maintain and transfer of a marina in Marsascala, in an Environmental Friendly Manner. The scope of this document is to identify potential sites suitable for all weather marinas and others that could be considered for establishing temporary and seasonal marinas,” Transport Malta said in response to the questions sent to the minister.

“This document is a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) therefore the design you are referring to is just an artistic impression.”

Transport Malta said that with the exponential growth of the yachting industry in Malta, the scope of the project is to develop Marsascala into a yachting centre, making it and the Southern region area more appealing. “The local council shall participate in the decision making process.”