The proposed yacht marina in Marsascala by Transport Malta (TM) came as a surprise and shock to everyone as none of the residents had been consulted before the plans surfaced, activists said on Saturday.

Last week Transport Malta released a call for a tender for the construction of a massive yacht marina to be built across most of Marsascala Bay.

During a protest organised by Moviment Graffitti in Marsascala, against the plans for the development of the marina, Moviment Graffitti activist Andre Callus insisted that this was a national issue, affecting thousands of Maltese and Gozitans who love and enjoy the area.

Marsascala PN minority leader John Baptist Camilleri stated that Marsascala is not for sale.

“No one is buying the claim that the plans presented were just an artistic impression, Baptist Camilleri said.

Currently, only small boats can access the Marsascala creek. If the development for the marina would take place, this would cater for 700 larger yachts, leaving a very small recreation area for the public.

Activist and Marsascala resident Jeremy Camilleri said that these plans would ruin Marsascala and would only cater to the interest of the few.

He rubbished the claims that the bay was dirty and useless and said that although there were some issues that needed tackling, the place is still a gem.

Camilleri criticised the fact that very few members of parliament came out against the project and that some MPs who are aginst the marina were in favour of a bridge across the creek.

Meanwhile, David Spagnol, a coordinator for the Marsascala fireworks group, also spoke out against this development as the group wa told that with the yacht marina in place, they would not be insured to shoot fireworks out at sea.

He urged Prime Minister Robert Abela to ensure that no yacht marina, big or small, is built.

 

‘They destroyed the land and are now intent on destroying our sea’ – ADPD

At a separate event earlier on the same day, ADPD The Green Party said that after destroying Malta’s land, the government was dead set on destroying the sea in Marsascala, highlighting that this is yet another episode in the long history of the destruction of Malta.

ADPD Deputy Secretary General Melissa Bagely noted that the proposal for a marina in Marsascala Bay is another episode which lacks proper consultation with residents and with the Local Council.

“Once again the government and the authorities are ignoring their obligation under the law to consult with the local council, in this case that of Marsascala,” Bagely said.

ADPD highlighted the 2006 development by the then Nationalist government, saying that similar to its predecessors, the Labour party in government avoids proper consultation and is in favour of the destruction of Malta’s beaches and coast.

“They destroyed the land and are now intent on destroying our sea,” Bagely said.

Marsascala residents described the proposal for a marina as “a death knell for Marsacala”, saying that the sea is doomed as well.

Meanwhile, ADPD Chairman Carmel Cacopardo reiterated that Transport Malta’s proposal to kickstart the process of developing a marina yacht would be very damaging.

Cacopardo asked: “Who decided that we need a yacht marina? The documents published by TM declare that it is necessary for Marsascala to benefit from yacht-associated tourism. What they are not saying is that after transforming Marsascala into a concrete jungle, they now want to destroy the sea as well. The planning of public space is a public function that is supposed to improve the quality of life of residents. Residents don't want this development and so TM has to stop and listen to what people have to say. If people don't want this development, then what is the purpose for proceeding?"