Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1013924
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 AUGUST 2018 NEWS JAMES DEBONO THE generation of one mil- lion tonnes of waste for the construction of the Gozo tun- nel proposal is set to aggravate Malta's limited space to take in waste, a move that will like- ly lead to greater pressure for land reclamation. The Environment and Re- sources Authority has warned in a report listing the threats posed by the construction of the tunnel that the creation of the waste will "exacerbate pressure for high-impact dis- posal on the seabed", and de- manded a further assessment in the Environmental Impact Assessment. The ERA is presently draw- ing up the terms of reference for an EIA for the tunnel pro- ject which will have to address these concerns. The generation of the large volume of rock waste was considered "very substantial" especially in view of the short time-frame in which the exca- vated material would need to be managed. In the eventuality that the tunnel-boring technique would involve blasting, such works would generate addi- tional types waste due to the use of explosives. This reflects concern among environmentalists that the Gozo tunnel – coupled with other infrastructural projects which include tunnels – may now make land reclamation projects inevitable. Tunnel to pass under Ghadira nature reserve But construction waste is not the only environmental chal- lenge posed by the Gozo tun- nel. The ERA is calling for stud- ies on the impact of the tunnel on inland water bodies like the Ghadira and is-Simar reserves. Another option of locating the tunnel entrance in the Marfa ridge was discarded be- cause of its closer proximity to the nature reserve. But the proposed tunnel will still be excavated underneath the Ghadira reserve and major road cuttings are also envis- aged to take place behind the hinterland of the Simar re- serve. "It is unclear whether the excavation and construction of the tunnel may impact the protected inland water bod- ies at l-Ghadira and Is-Simar, which in its turn may affect protected habitats and spe- cies," ERA said. Furthermore, the tunnel will pass through underground aquifers, which according to ERA constitute important natural capital of the Maltese Islands. Impact on Pwales valley One sure impact is the change in the landscape cre- ated by the proposed tunnel entrances which "are likely to be highly visible and may af- fect the sensitive visual amen- ity of the area", the ERA said. The tunnel will include an entrance in Malta at L-Imbor- din, between Manikata and the Pwales valley, and emerge in Gozo at the ridge just below the Kenuna Tower, south of Nadur. According to ERA the con- struction of the proposed tun- nel portals and its ancillary connections to the existing or realigned road network, is likely to be significant in terms of land use. The high level of traffic flows envisaged to pass through the tunnel may also result in higher noise levels in the rural areas and the nature reserves. The ERA is also calling for an assessment of underwater noise, both during the con- struction and the operational phase as this may impact on marine life. The impact on these pristine localities is expected to be se- vere in the construction phase which would see the erection of "a highly visible construc- tion site" which will include the machinery required for the "extensive excavation and construction works". The setting up of queuing areas or car parks could also result in additional visual im- pacts, ERA warns. The excavation works may also potentially have an impact on the caves in the escarpment at L-Arġentier, which have cultural heritage significance. Pressure on road network The proposed development is likely to generate increased traffic flows in Gozo and therefore increasing pressures on the present road network. According to ERA the Gozo- bound traffic is likely to shift towards Mgarr, Ghajn Tuffie- ha and Manikata roads, which are already subject to conges- tion during the weekend. On the other hand, a re- duction in traffic (especially Gozo-bound traffic) is likely, translating into a minimisa- tion of existing impacts and pressures, at Xemxija, l-Im- bordin, Mellieha and Ghadira. Further investigation is also needed on the possibility of seismic activity in the area, which could pose potential risks on the tunnel itself. This is because active faults in the channel between Gozo and Comino may be present and these could cause difficulties for the tunnel construction. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Gozo tunnel may increase pressure for land reclamation ERA lists environmental risks of proposed Gozo tunnel passing under the Ghadira nature reserve CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Earlier this year, the government received flak over the billing system through which customers were receiv- ing actual bills every two months. Economist Marie Briguglio had showed how the annual allocation of free units per household set at law, was being eroded when the units were broken down every two months. Some families ended up paying more for electricity as a result of the manner by which bills were being issued. The issue was also taken up by the Na- tionalist Party that had also requested a parliamentary discussion on the matter. But Mizzi insisted the existing tariff bands had been introduced far back to discourage people from wasting elec- tricity and the investment made over the years was intended to sustain a two- monthly billing system "I asked to see how the whole system works and the billing process is legally correct, but I also want to see what is fair. I have to incentivise those people who are being cautious with their con- sumption," Mizzi said, adding the focus would instead be on the eco-reduction. According to ARMS, the utility bill- ing company, a single-member house- hold currently benefits from a 25% eco-reduction on its electricity bill if consumption is less than 2,000 units during the whole year. The same reduction applies for resi- dences with more than one person, and where consumption is less than 1,750 units per person. A reduction of 25% per person will apply on the first 1,000 units and a fur- ther 15% per person will apply on the remaining 750 units. Asked whether some consumers will be given a refund in the wake of prov- en claims that they were overcharged, Mizzi was non-committal. "I want to wait for all the report, in- cluding the results of running actual bills on computer models using differ- ent systems," Mizzi said. The Opposition had insisted that con- sumers were being cheated by the two- monthly bills and called for refunds. Minister cannot say whether refunds will be due The Environment and Resources Authority has warned that the creation of the waste from te Gozo tunnel will "exacerbate pressure for high- impact disposal on the seabed"