A group of NGOs have published the responses received from PN, PL and ADPD 5th district candidates on Wied Żnuber area.

The NGOs: Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa, Moviment Graffitti, BirdLife Malta and Din l-Art Ħelwa - sent the following question to PL, PN and ADPD candidates: “Do you agree that the Wied Żnuber area where there are plans for a miniature airstrip for model airplanes, currently administered by INDIS Malta Ltd., becomes a designated ODZ to secure its future as undeveloped land?”

All PN and ADPD candidates stated that they agreed with the residents’ and organisations’ proposal to designate that area as ODZ so that it remains undeveloped, the NGOs said, publishing the results of their question. “All PL candidates failed to take a clear position by answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question.”

Under the additional comments section, the NGOs state that Minister Miriam Dalli said: “I understand the concern and I would not accept that the valley be touched. I asked about the project and I am informed that Wied Znuber will not be developed and that a buffer zone will be kept to protect the valley. For me the principle of the valley not being touched is sacrosanct.”

A couple of other PL candidates referred to comments Prime Minister Robert Abela had made separately. Abela had told the press that “there will be no development in Wied Żnuber”. NGOs have since called on the Prime Minister to categorically declare that the airstrip will not be built there.

The plan for an airstrip by the valley and the cliffs of the area was announced last month at the signing of an agreement between the government agency INDIS and an airplane model association. Residents, the Birżebbuġa local council and other stakeholders were not consulted about these plans, and the plans for the airstrip are under wraps till this very day, the NGOs said.

“Recent statements by the Prime Minister that no development will be created inside Wied Żnuber, and that part of the area around it might become ODZ, failed to quash fears arising from the airstrip development since the plan was not withdrawn.”

The area earmarked for the airstrip is home to rich biodiversity including protected species of flora and fauna, as well as important historical remains such as a dolmen, old water canals and a military shelter, the NGOs said. “Moreover, the loud and incessant noise of model remote control airplanes would drastically increase light and noise pollution in the area and destroy the serenity of the valley and surrounding cliffs, to the detriment of biodiversity, residents and visitors.”