Momentum encourages broader consultation on the future of Għadira Bay

Following a request for information, Transport Malta confirmed that the new mooring plans for Għadira Bay have the potential to accommodate around 460 moorings within a total area of 623,000m². This is roughly the size of a 2 km stretch, the combined length of Valletta and Floriana, with a 300-metre-wide mooring zone. While TM tries to downplay the environmental visual impact of the reorganisation of mooring areas, a graphic image shows how 460 moorings will look on a map in the mooring zones, highlighting the intensity of the mooring.

See attached maps.

Matthew Agius, executive member of Momentum, welcomed the clarity provided by TM but expressed concern that the consultation process has so far been limited. “In their reply, TM confirmed it consulted with mooring holders and water sports operators, but we believe the process should also actively include local councils, sailing clubs, non-motorised water sports groups, environmental NGOs, and tourism stakeholders. A broader consultation would ensure that all those who value Għadira Bay, whether it is for leisure, sport, environment, or tourism, can contribute to shaping its future.”

The proposed plans indicate that the front of the bay would be fully taken up by moorings positioned just behind the swimming zone. This would mean that motorised and sailing boats without designated moorings would need to anchor further out in Mellieħa Bay, during summer and winter. Momentum believes that with a more inclusive approach, a balance can be struck.

Momentum is proposing that:

• An environmental impact assessment is done, irrespective of whether this was a mooring reorganisation exercise.
• All stakeholders, such as the local councils, sailing clubs, non-motorised water sports groups, environmental NGOs, and tourism stakeholders, should be involved in a consultation process, not just the commercial people who gain financially directly from the bay.
• A section at the front of the bay behind the swimming zone should be left free without any moorings for everyone to enjoy.

Momentum sees Ghadira Bay as a national treasure that should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone: swimmers, people on the shore, and those at sea. The current configuration has prioritised moorings, leaving little space for non-motorised activities and general public enjoyment. A balanced plan that respects both the environment and the different public interests is urgently needed.

Momentum jinkoraġġixxi konsultazzjoni usa’ dwar il-futur tal-Bajja tal-Għadira

Wara talba għal informazzjoni, Transport Malta kkonfermat li l-pjanijiet il-ġodda tal-irmiġġ għall-Bajja tal-Għadira għandhom il-potenzjal li jakkomodaw madwar 460 irmiġġ f’erja totali ta’ 623,000m². Dan huwa bejn wieħed u ieħor id-daqs ta’ medda ta’ 2 km, it-tul ikkombinat tal-Belt Valletta u l-Furjana, b’żona ta’ irmiġġ wiesgħa 300 metru. Filwaqt li TM tagħti impressjoni li l-impatt viżwali u ambjentali taż-żoni tal-irmiġġ huwa minimu, immaġni grafika turi kif 460 irmiġġ jiġu jidhru fuq mappa fiż-żoni tal-irmiġġ, u tenfasizza l-intensità tal-irmiġġ.

Ara l-mapep mehmuża.

Matthew Agius, membru eżekuttiv ta’ Momentum, laqa’ l-informazzjoni pprovduta minn TM iżda esprima tħassib li l-proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni s’issa kien limitat. “Fit-tweġiba tagħhom, TM ikkonfermat li kkonsultat mas-sidien tal-irmiġġi u l-operaturi tal-isports tal-ilma, iżda nemmnu li l-proċess għandu jinkludi wkoll il-kunsilli lokali, il-klabbs u gruppi tal-isports tal-baħar mhux motorizzati, NGOs ambjentali, u partijiet interessati fit-turiżmu. Konsultazzjoni usa’ tiżgura li dawk kollha li japprezzaw il-Bajja, kemm jekk għad-divertiment, l-isport, l-ambjent, jew it-turiżmu, jistgħu jikkontribwixxu biex ifasslu l-futur aħjar tagħha.”

Il-pjanijiet proposti jindikaw li quddiem il-bajja se tkun kompletament okkupata minn irmiġġi pożizzjonati eżatt wara ż-żona tal-għawm. Dan ifisser li dgħajjes bil-mutur u bil-qlugħ mingħajr irmiġġi jkollhom jankraw aktar ’il barra, kemm fis-sajf kif ukoll fix-xitwa. Momentum jemmen li jista’ jintlaħaq bilanċ b’mod aktar inklużiv.

Momentum qed jipproponi li:

• Issir valutazzjoni tal-impatt ambjentali, irrispettivament minn jekk dan hux eżerċizzju ta’ riorganizzazzjoni tal-irmiġġi.
• Il-partijiet kollha, kunsilli lokali, il-klabbs tal-baħar, gruppi tal-isports, NGOs ambjentali, u partijiet interessati fit-turiżmu, għandhom ikunu involuti fi proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni, mhux biss in-nies kummerċjali li għandhom interess finanzjarju direttament mill-bajja.
• Parti mill-bajja wara ż-żona tal-għawm għandha titħalla libera mingħajr ebda irmiġġ biex tkun tista titgawda minn kulħadd.

Momentum jara l-Bajja ta’ Mellieħa bħala teżor nazzjonali li għandha tkun aċċessibbli u mgawdija minn kulħadd: l-għawwiema, in-nies fuq ix-xatt, u dawk fuq il-baħar. Il-konfigurazzjoni attwali pprijoritizzat l-irmiġġ, u ħalliet ftit spazju għal attivitajiet mhux motorizzati u t-tgawdija tal-pubbliku ġenerali. Huwa meħtieġ pjan urġenti li hu bilanċjat u li jirrispetta kemm l-ambjent kif ukoll l-interessi pubbliċi.

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