Momentum calls for transparency on the Mellieħa Bay mooring project through a Freedom of Information request

Momentum has formally submitted a Freedom of Information request to Transport Malta, seeking full disclosure on the works for the reorganisation and expansion of boat moorings at Mellieħa Bay.

Recent public announcements by Transport Malta confirm the reorganisation of moorings and the establishment of expanded mooring and anchoring areas to address the existing waiting list.

The request aims to ensure that the project is based on sound governance, proper consultation, and robust environmental safeguards. Momentum’s FOI request specifically seeks:

• What is the total number of moorings placed at Mellieħa Bay after the reorganisation and expansion? What was the number previously?
• What is the total area covered by the mooring zone based on the layout of notification 129?
• What is the total anchoring space now available for visitors? What was it previously?
• Who are the organisations, associations, or individuals consulted prior to implementation, including local councils, sailing clubs, non-motorised water sports groups, environmental NGOs, and tourism stakeholders? Please provide minutes of meetings, consultation reports, or correspondence that informed the final design.
• Was an independent Environmental Impact Assessment commissioned? If yes, please provide a complete copy of the report.
• What enforcement or monitoring plans are in place to ensure compliance with maritime regulations in the mooring and anchoring area?
• How will waste management and pollution prevention be enforced for vessels using the moorings?
• How many individuals are currently on the waiting list for a mooring?

Mark Camilleri Gambin, general secretary of Momentum, said,  “Public trust depends on openness and accountability. This project will have a direct impact on the thousands of visitors who enjoy Mellieħa Bay. The public deserves full clarity on how decisions were made and what safeguards are in place to protect our coast.”

Momentum looks forward to Transport Malta’s reply within the statutory timeframe.

Momentum titlob trasparenza dwar il-proġett tal-irmiġġ fil-Bajja tal-Mellieħa permezz ta’ talba għal-Libertà tal-Informazzjoni

Momentum issottomettiet formalment talba għal-Libertà tal-Informazzjoni lil Transport Malta, fejn talbet żvelar sħiħ dwar ix-xogħlijiet għar-riorganizzazzjoni u l-espansjoni tal-irmiġġi tad-dgħajjes fil-Bajja tal-Mellieħa.

Avviżi pubbliċi minn Transport Malta jikkonfermaw ir-riorganizzazzjoni tal-irmiġġi u t-twaqqif ta’ żoni estiżi ta’ irmiġġ u ankraġġ biex jindirizzaw il-lista ta’ stennija eżistenti.

It-talba għandha l-għan li tiżgura li l-proġett ikun ibbażat fuq governanza soda, konsultazzjoni xierqa, u salvagwardji ambjentali robusti. It-talba FOI ta’ Momentum titlob speċifikament:

• X’inhu n-numru totali ta’ irmiġġi mqiegħda fil-Bajja tal-Mellieħa wara r-riorganizzazzjoni u l-espansjoni? X’kien in-numru qabel?
• X’inhi ż-żona totali koperta miż-żona tal-irmiġġ ibbażata fuq it-tqassim tan-notifika 129?
• X’inhu l-ispazju totali tal-ankraġġ disponibbli issa għall-viżitaturi? Kemm kien qabel?
• Min huma l-organizzazzjonijiet, l-assoċjazzjonijiet, jew l-individwi kkonsultati qabel l-implimentazzjoni, inklużi l-kunsilli lokali, il-klabbs tat-tbaħħir, gruppi tal-isports tal-ilma mhux motorizzati, NGOs ambjentali, u partijiet interessati fit-turiżmu? Jekk jogħġbok ipprovdi l-minuti tal-laqgħat, ir-rapporti ta’ konsultazzjoni, jew il-korrispondenza li infurmaw id-disinn finali.
• Ġie ikkummissjonat Environmental Impact Assessment indipendenti? Jekk iva, jekk jogħġbok ipprovdi kopja sħiħa tar-rapport.
• Liema pjanijiet ta’ infurzar jew monitoraġġ hemm fis-seħħ biex tiġi żgurata l-konformità mar-regolamenti marittimi fiż-żona tal-irmiġġ u l-ankraġġ?
• Kif se jiġu infurzati l-immaniġġjar tal-iskart u l-prevenzjoni tat-tniġġis għall-bastimenti li jużaw l-irmiġġi?
• Kemm hemm individwi bħalissa fuq il-lista ta’ stennija għal irmiġġ?

Mark Camilleri Gambin, is-segretarju ġenerali ta’ Momentum, qal, “Il-fiduċja pubblika tiddependi fuq l-aċċessibbiltà tal-informazzjoni u l-akkontabbiltà. Dan il-proġett se jkollu impatt dirett fuq l-eluf ta’ viżitaturi li jgawdu l-Bajja tal-Mellieħa. Il-pubbliku jistħoqqlu ċarezza sħiħa dwar kif ittieħdu d-deċiżjonijiet u liema salvagwardji hemm fis-seħħ biex jipproteġu l-kosta tagħna.”

Momentum jistenna t-tweġiba ta’ Transport Malta fil-perjodu ta’ żmien statutorju.

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