Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1147486
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 JULY 2019 ANALYSIS JAMES DEBONO THE major uprooting of ma- ture and protected Aleppo pine trees (sigar taz-Znuber) resulting from the now ap- proved Central Link project will take place in two clusters, one near the Pit Stop petrol station round about and an- other further up the Rabat road before the Madonna tal- Vitorja chapel. In the final maps a total of 44 Aleppo Pines (Pinus halepen- sis) are marked to be uprooted throughout the entire Central Link project. These are located in two main areas, a cluster of 12 trees located before the Kap- pella Madonna tal-Vitorja coming from Ħ'Attard and another cluster of 20 trees near the Pitstop roundabout at Ħ'Attard. Also earmarked for uproot- ing is a cluster of around 30 mature she oaks located just before the chapel, which un- like the znuber is not protect- ed by law. Three other Aleppo pine trees will be uprooted fur- ther up from the Madonna tal-Vittorja chapel towards Saqqaja. Another significant clus- ter which will be uprooted includes 18 cypress trees (which are also protected) on the stretch of Mdina road between San Anton and the Attard cemetery before the intersection with Triq Oliver Agius and a further eight cy- press trees presently located on the central strip in the same stretch of road. The Environment Impact as- sessment on the basis of which the project was assessed fore- saw uprooting of 549 trees of which 237 are protected trees. But interviewed by the Sun- day Times Infrastructure Mal- ta CEO Frederick Azzopardi confirmed that while the per- mit permits the uprooting of 549 trees the application for a nature permit from the En- vironment and Resources Au- thority envisages the removal of 440 trees. Plans submitted last year also foresaw the uprooting of 76 pine trees along the stretch of road between the Our Lady of Victories Chapel and the Saqqajja junction. But following an uproar in the media, these were first re- duced to 15 and than to three. This comes at the cost of an additional take up of agricul- tural land as one lane of trees will be incorporated as a traf- fic island, whilst the new road will take up agricultural land on the side. According to the EIA a fur- ther 237 trees will be trans- planted to another site. These include a very large commu- nity of nearly 40 almond trees located along Triq Tumas Chetcuti. The EIA notes that "some species are unlikely to survive transplantation and therefore will be collected by appropri- ately registered waste carri- ers". According to law at least one tree must be planted for each uprooted unprotected tree, five or 10 for each protected tree depending on its protec- tion level. This would require the planting of around 1,650 trees at the Central Link project. However the EIA determined that the minimum number of trees that can be planted along the scheme is equal to 766 trees. The EIA also revealed that Infrastructure Malta will be paying €500 for every tree not planted. The new trees which are to be planted include 42 new Aleppo pine trees on the road stretch between the Madonna tal-Vitorja chapel and the pit- stop station junction. While an attempt has made done over the past year to de- Central Link: Which trees before the (or get tied to) Vacancy for Executive Officer (Scale 13) & Clerks (Scale 15) with San Pawl il-Baħar Local Council Permit issued on 14th Nov 2018 A vacancy has arisen within the San Pawl il-Baħar Local Council for the posts of Full-Time Executive Officer (Scale 13) & Clerks (Scale 15). Applicants should : Clerks - Be in possession of five different subjects at ordinary level (a minimum of 'O' level passes in Grade C or equivalent), which shall include Maltese, English and Mathematics. Executive Officer – Be in possession of two different subjects at advanced level (a minimum of 'A' level passes in Grade C or equivalent) and three other subjects at ordinary level (a minimum of 'O' level passes in Grade C or equivalent), which shall include Maltese, English and Mathematics (at advanced or ordinary level). • Be Computer Literate – ECDL Level or knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Applications, including a detailed CV together with copies of relevant certificates, should reach this office by not later than noon Wednesday 07th August 2019 and shall be addressed to: – The Executive Secretary San Pawl il-Baħar Local Council, Triq San Pawl, San Pawl il-Baħar. SPB 3411 Candidates will be required to sit for an interview. Expression of Interest Call for an On-line Booking and Admission System at the National Pool Complex, Tal-Qroqq. Site Visit : 29/7/19 at 9.30am Closing date for Proposal & Quotations: 9/8/19 For more information please contact SportMalta on 22036114. Expression of Interest Call for an On-line Booking and Admission System at the National Pool Complex, Tal-Qroqq. Site Visit : 29/7/19 at 9.30am Closing date for Proposal & Quotations: 9/8/19 For more information please contact SportMalta on 22036114. Some of the trees to be uprooted in Rabat Road