Transport Malta fails to address real concerns on the Għadira Bay moorings plan

Momentum notes with disappointment that Transport Malta’s reply on the permanent moorings in Għadira Bay fails to address the main issues raised. While the authority claims that “everyone is enjoying Għadira Bay equally” and that this is a reorganisation exercise, they have avoided answering questions that directly affect public access, safety and environmental protection.

Momentum Party Leader and Chairperson Arnold Cassola stated “Transport Malta has not clarified the true scale of the project, offering no confirmation of the total number of moorings nor challenging our statement that they will now cover nearly half the bay, roughly stretching 2 kilometres, equivalent to the size of Valletta and Floriana combined.

On the contrary, Transport Malta has confirmed that they have increased the number of moorings and also increased the space for yachts to set anchor. Basically, Transport Malta is confirming what it has depicted in its own plan, i.e. that the number of vessels in Ghadira will increase, in order to make up for the long waiting list, as also confirmed by Transport Minister Bonett.”

Transport Malta has also failed to commit to a transparent public consultation or to commission an independent environmental impact assessment, or even at least consult with the Mellieħa Local Council. The impact on other watersports, not jetskis or water skiing, but windsurfers, kiteboarders, small sailing boats, kayaks and other non-motorised sports, has been ignored. And no rejection of our warning that permanent moorings will make it harder for visiting boats to anchor facing the bay, risking the transformation of Għadira into an exclusive space for mooring owners. 

Transport Malta has a reported waiting list of 4,500 vessels seeking moorings, and one wonders if more large-scale moorings are planned across Malta and Gozo.

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