Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1062629
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 DECEMBER 2018 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 This confirms earlier studies carried out in 2006 and 2007, conducted by Dan- ish experts Carl Bro and British consult- ants Scott Wilson. Bahar ic-Caghaq, which is the pre- ferred site for the Maltese construc- tion lobby due to its vicinity to the golden mile between Paceville and Bugibba, is still considered a no-go area according to the ERA report be- cause of the presence of Posidonia meadows – an important habitat pro- tected by EU law. The site was already considered in previous studies carried out under the Gonzi administration and was excluded for the same reason. Sources indicated that the aim of the site selection study is that of ex- cluding no-go areas. This represents a drastic change from the method used in 2013, when the government issued a call for expression of interests which yielded 21 land reclamation propos- als, without excluding any site from consideration. But even if studies confirm that Xghajra is the most suitable site from an ecological perspective, other en- vironmental factors – including the further commercialisation of the relatively pristine coastline between Xghajra and Marsaskala – will have to be considered. One major factor weighing on land reclamation is the question of eco- nomic feasibility. The 2007 report had concluded that a land reclama- tion project on the northern part of the Xghajra coast would cost between €250-€439 million with the major cost being the creation of breakwaters to protect the artificial islands. Ironically, it was the extension to the coastline on the Bahar ic-Caghaq coast – excluded for ecological rea- sons – which yielded the best eco- nomic performance. In their 2007 report on the Xghajra site, consultants Scott Wilson sug- gested that the cost of land reclama- tion can be offset by the project's vi- ability, taking as an example Smart City. But it also said that "there re- mains a question mark over whether there is sufficient demand for this scale of development." And although the project in Xghajra was considered to have the potential to achieve the required rate of return that made the investment attractive, "the combina- tion of rather marginal returns with risks associated to lack of security of material supply, would make any such project unattractive to the private sec- tor." Land reclamation not the only option On its part ERA has confirmed that the site selection exercise forms part of "a national strategy on land recla- mation" which does not exclude op- tions for construction and demolition waste in general. But ERA did not reply directly when asked whether a Strategic Environ- ment Assessment, an EU requirement for any major plan or policy with an impact on the environment, will be conducted. Such an assessment, which must include public consulta- tion has to be carried out on the plan itself and has to precede any individu- al application. ERA simply confirmed that "any proposal for land reclamation will be subject to existing legal processes and parameters, including authorisations form relevant entities." One risk of land reclamation is that it would fuel the creation of even more construction waste in the next decade. But the ERA insisted that the reduc- tion and recycling of construction and demolition material is not just an alternative to land reclamation but must be considered as "a stand-alone requirement". According to the ERA, a proper sys- tem for the management of construc- tion waste is important as it gener- ates a multitude of advantages and will help the country move towards a more circular economy to close the loop of products' lifecycles. "ERA's ul- timate aim is to bring about a cultural and behavioural shift within the con- struction sector. The identified meas- ures aim to be sustainable alternatives to disposal of the material that has the potential for reuse and recovery." jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt ERA carries out site selection for land reclamation The Gozo tunnel project is set to create one million tonnes of waste, coupled with waste created by various private sector projects like the DB project in Pembroke which by itself will create 336,000 cubic metres of waste