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7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 2 SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWS Blue Lagoon pier threatens iconic landscape, culture watchdog warns JAMES DEBONO THE Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage is holding its ground against renewed at- tempts by Transport Malta to construct a 136m-long pier at the Blue Lagoon first proposed but than dropped by the Gozo Ministry two years ago. TM is proposing the con- struction of a pier within the Blue Lagoon, extending from the existing pier and running along the course of the fore- shore, as well as the removal of existing concrete walkways. "It inevitable that such struc- tures will have a negative and extensive impact on iconic views of high landscape value," the SCH warned while lament- ing the absence of photomon- tages. While the SCH is "not averse to the proposed removal of ex- isting concrete walkways", it made it clear that it "objects strongly" the construction of the pier "which should be re- fused". The Superintendence also reminded TM that the pro- posed development "is almost identical" to that previously proposed by the Gozo Ministry in 2018 to which both the Su- perintendence and the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee had strongly objected. The plans were dropped last year from an application pre- sented by the Gozo Ministry in 2018 which also foresaw the repaving of the road leading to the proposed pier. When similar plans were presented two years ago, the Planning Authority's cultural heritage advisory committee which is chaired by heritage su- perintendent Joe Magro Conti had already warned that the extended pier "will completely destroy the natural foreshore of the picturesque Blue Lagoon." Birdlife calls for carrying ca- pacity study Reacting to the latest proposal Birdlife Malta has also warned that the proposed pier may re- sult in an increased number of visitors to an already clogged area which suffers immensely from a lack of visitor manage- ment to Comino Island. In view of this Birdlife has proposed a carrying capacity study to determine the num- ber of visitors to be allowed in Comino. "The size, orientation and capacity of the pier should be regulated accordingly". Moreover the pier should not introduce new light sources to the area – such as through reg- ular boat parties during sensi- tive periods for bird colonies, or through unregulated over- night stays of vessels. Waste collection facilities at the pier and around should al- so appropriately provided and managed to avoid attracting rodents which represent an ex- istential threat to the bird col- onies. Aim is to remove makeshift concrete paths - TM TM claims the pier would ad- dress the shortfall of mooring facilities in the Blue Lagoon. "The high number of visitors results in heavy boat traffic as these are ferrying passengers to and from the Blue Lagoon." The extended wooden-decked pier will rest on piles embed- ded in the seabed. TM says the pier will also eliminate make- shift concrete paths. "Large ferry boats currently disembark passengers along this stretch of the coast, and passengers then access the bay via the said structures which are a health and safety hazard, especially for the mobility im- paired." TM justified the pier as a way to improve passenger safety by providing a level surface to ac- cess the ferries, apart from re- moving the concrete passages and restoring the shoreline to its original state. But the pier is also expected to have negative environmental impacts. TM's project devel- opment statement warns that the artificial structure along the otherwise natural coastline will be visible in views of the Blue Lagoon from the higher grounds around the site. And since the pier will facili- tate the mooring of larger fer- ries, it introduces the risk of having large vessels that will further disturb the views of the Blue Lagoon inlet, apart from increased numbers of visitors that disturb the protected or sensitive Natura 2000 habitats and species. EIA consultants AIS have proposed a capping for boats of various sizes to ensure the inlet is not over-saturated with mooring boats. The proposed use of a jack-up barge during works for the new pier will further extend the footprint of the damage on the seabed. The 655sq.m deck area will shadow the marine life un- derneath. While SCH objects to visual impact on iconic landscape, Birdlife calls for carrying capacity studies to determine number of visitors Call for Tenders Laptop devices for employees in church schools The Secretariat for Catholic Education (SfCE) in Malta would like to announce the launch of the following tender: SfCE 001/2020: Tender for the supply of Laptop Devices for Employees in Church Schools [Deadline: 12 October 2020 at 09:30] Tender documents may be obtained from the Archdiocese of Malta website: https://church.mt/jobs/ Interested bidders are to submit their SEALED TENDERS by the deadline indicated above. Tenders are to be addressed to the Secretariat for Catholic Education 16, The Mall, Floriana FRN 1472 Further information may be requested by email on tenders.schools@maltadiocese.org This project may be part financed by the EUROPEAN UNION

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