Caroline Caruana from the Marsaskala Residents Network has voiced serious concerns about the proposed fast ferry service between Marsaskala and Valletta, warning that the project risks transforming the quiet seaside town into a commercialised tourist hub. Caruana said the community was never properly consulted before the plans were drawn up and that residents are still unaware of what the regeneration project actually entails.

"Before creating a project of this kind, there are many things that must be considered," she said. "We are still unaware of what the project actually consists of, because it has never been discussed publicly."

Caruana explained that when some residents approached some local councillors for information, they were told that even they had not seen any plans. "So how can the community evaluate something it hasn't seen?"

Caruana said the Marsaskala Residents Network has been asking for discussions with government officials since the beginning of this year. "They only contacted us for a meeting on 17 September, just five days before the first two applications related to the ferry project were submitted," she said.

"That's not consultation. Consultation happens before, not after decisions are made." She added that by the time the group was approached, the press conference announcing the project was already being prepared, making it clear that the decision had already been taken.

Caruana acknowledged that Marsaskala's promenade needs improvement but insisted that the project should begin with proper studies and genuine dialogue. "Anyone who has eyes can see that the promenade needs a revamp," she said. "But before creating a project of this kind, there are many things that must be considered. If I were designing a space for families and children, I'd include more trees and natural elements. In Nordic countries, they encourage children to connect with nature - we should be doing the same."

She expressed concern that the project could destroy much of the town's natural character. "If you're bringing in a ferry that carries 350 people every hour, you need a large vessel. How can such a boat enter a small bay like Marsaskala without changing its appearance and affecting the coastline?"

Caruana questioned whether the proposed ferry would even serve residents. She referred to government projections showing that around two million passengers a year are expected to use the service - an average of 5,500 passengers per day. "It has been said that only 25 per cent of fast ferry passengers use the Tallinja card, which is mostly used by residents," she said. "That means around 75 per cent, or roughly 4,125 passengers a day, would be tourists. If you're bringing that many tourists into Marsaskala, you're turning it into a tourist hub. That means more hotels, more restaurants, and less tranquility."

She warned that such development could erase the town's unique character. "We want quality tourists and to keep our identity," Caruana said. "Tourists should come because of who we are, not because we change for them." She added that repeating the same approach used in areas like St Julian's would be a mistake. "If everything becomes the same, then what makes Marsaskala special?"

Caruana also criticised what she described as the careless use of the term "sustainability". "We keep hearing the word 'sustainability', but what does it really mean?" she asked. "Before spending millions of euros, we need to start by defining it properly. We live in a world facing rising sea levels and climate change - these are the issues we raised directly with the minister. But we are not being heard."

She questioned the validity of the government's survey on the project, saying she never received a call and knew no one who did. "The surveys were done over the phone, but the sample doesn't represent the community," she said. "The questions were also leading. If you ask people whether a fast ferry is a good idea, of course some will say yes - but that's not how you measure impact."

Caruana argued that a real study should have examined how many Marsaskala residents actually travel to Valletta, how often they do so, and for what reason. "We need to know how many go to work, how many are pensioners or students, and how many use their cars," she said. "The focus should have been on car users, because they're the ones causing traffic - not the ones using the bus."

She also questioned claims that the ferry would save time or fuel. "People were told it will save time, but based on what?" she asked. "Has anyone measured how long it takes for Marsaskala residents to reach Valletta? Were traffic or shuttle-bus tests done? No one has shown us that data." As for fuel savings, she said the argument doesn't add up. "People will still have to drive to the park-and-ride and take a shuttle bus, which also uses fuel. Then there's the boat itself. It makes no sense."

Caruana suggested that if the goal is to improve southern transport, towns with existing infrastructure and already committed with big ships should be considered instead. "According to the minister, the ferry would fill a missing link in the south," she said. "But why not consider localities that already have the required port infrastructure?  You could easily connect them with shuttle buses that meet the ferry schedule. It would only take about fifteen minutes to reach Cospicua from Marsaskala using a shuttle bus, and you wouldn't destroy a swimming bay in the process."

She said Marsaskala Bay should remain a recreational space. "Leave it as it is - let people swim and fish," she said. "Just because there are boats doesn't mean it's a port. We should be protecting it, not turning it into another harbour." Caruana added that environmental awareness should guide development decisions. "Nature has limits. We need to be more aware of what those limits are and stop treating development as the only way forward."

Caruana insisted her activism is not politically driven. "We've never protested about something purely political," she said. "It doesn't matter who's in government - if this project had been proposed by anyone else, we would have reacted in the same way. Our goal is to protect Marsaskala."

She expressed disappointment at how residents' voices are often dismissed despite claims of public engagement. "They say they 'listen to' us, but listening isn't the same as caring," she said. "When the yacht marina plan was scrapped, we were thrilled because it showed they heard our plea. But that doesn't mean that after one victory, they can ignore us again."

Caruana criticised what she called a disregard for planning policies and residents' input. "If you tell me that local plans mean nothing, you're saying your word means nothing," she said. "Today you promise one thing, and tomorrow you change your mind. What value do people's voices have in that case?"

Even the local council, she said, was excluded from meaningful consultation. "Some local councillors told us they never saw any plans or documentation regarding this regeneration project. The narrative being pushed is that Marsaskala needs development to 'come back to life', but that ignores what residents actually value about this place."

Caruana concluded by calling for genuine dialogue, transparency, and respect for the community's voice. "If this project truly benefits the people of Marsaskala and of Malta, then prove it," she said. "Take our suggestions into consideration, carry out proper long-term studies on carrying capacity, environmental impact, and traffic, and only then decide. Anything less is just another rushed project that ignores the people it claims to serve."

She added that meaningful consultation requires honesty. "You can't build a sustainable future by silencing the people who live there," she said. "True consultation means inclusion and respect - not ticking boxes after the decisions have already been made."