Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1407953
JAMES DEBONO BIDDERS concerned by pub- lic opposition to marina plans for Marsaskala have been told that the marina project will be planned "in the manner whereby most of these NGOs are satisfied with the design", with Transport Malta describing present objec- tions by NGOs as "speculative" since they will only be in a po- sition to object after a design is chosen. During a clarification meeting on 24 August, bidders specifical- ly referred to opposition to the project by the Marsascala local council and the residents, ask- ing how will this impact on the project. Transport Malta insisted that present objections "should not be of concern" to bidder as the process was limited to the choice of the proponent of the project, describing objections from var- ious entities as "speculative due to the fact that there is no ap- proved design of the Marina." It is only after Transport Malta approves the design of the Mari- na and a planning application is subsequently presented, that the local council and NGOs will be able to bring up their objections. "So, at this point, it is not of concern. Had it been a design that is being imposed on the proponents, then it would have been of concern," bidders were told. When further pressed to state whether the opinion of the coun- cil and citizens would influence the call for bidders, Transport Malta's answer was that this will have a bearing "when the design is being chosen" and until then "the opinion is speculative" and based "on a hypothetical model". Bidders also expressed concern that even if chosen they would still have to prepare an Environ- ment Impact Assessment, which "may not necessarily have a pos- itive outcome". In view of this uncertainity, they asked "what comfort Transport Malta will provide in terms of a negative outcome". Transport Malta said it expect- ed proponents to come up with a design and a model that would fulfill environmental require- ments and planning require- ments. "It is up to the proponent to come up with a project that would fulfill those require- ments." Bidders sought further assur- ances, asking whether Transport Malta would "be facilitating the process of the application with the Planning Authority." Transport Malta confirmed that it "will back the applica- tion" based on a design which it has already approved and which "at prima facie seems to fulfill environmental and planning re- quirements". But bidders were also reminded that the Planning Authority also "takes into con- sideration concerns of NGO's and local groups". The confusion among bidders and the general public stems from the fact that Transport Malta has opted to choose the bidder before submitting the conclusion of a site selection ex- ercise or a formal planning ap- plication, rather than vice versa. This means that bidders will be chosen before the formal public consultation process has even started and before an Environ- ment Impact Assessment is even commenced, let alone concluded. Moreover the call for bids was accompanied by design plans with 818 berths occupying most of the bay, even though TM in- sists that there is nothing defini- tive about these drawings. During the meeting bidders al- so asked for assurances that the project would increase the num- ber of berths from the existing 67 to 700. Transport Malta said that "the layout of the yacht marina is ex- pected to increase the current berthing capacity to a minimum of at least seven hundred" while the "concessionaire shall be ex- pected to host and provide for a re-organisation of the current 567 berth holders". It also confirmed that berthing fees for existing berth holders will increase after a transitional period, referring to a mecha- nism by which the present tariff has to be maintained for a cer- tain amount of time, "and then subsequently it will increase as will be permitted by the eventual contract". Tender under the lens The Pre-Qualification Ques- tionnaire, a tendering proce- dure aimed at choosing a bidder, states that the marina project has to be carried out in an "en- vironmentally friendly manner". But the document fails to refer to the fact that il-Magħluq is a Natura 2000 site, and that the bay includes protected posido- nia meadows. Moreover 3,000sq.m of the inner part of the bay, next to il-Malgħuq is being proposed to be reclaimed possibly impact- ing on the water flow. There are various areas in the bay in which the sea bed has to be dredged be- tween 2.5 and 3m. Curiously, in an indication that the PQQ document is based on older drafts, it refers to the draft local plan of 2005 and not the Approved Local Plan of 2006. The document also refers to the Structure Plan Policies, and not to the SPED which has re- placed the Structure Plan in July 2015. It also failed to re- fer to a document published by the Maritime Authority in 2009 which did not identify Marsas- kala as the site for a permanent marina while referring to a 1997 document which also gave this location a low ranking. It also refers to the Coastal Strategy Topic Paper issued in 2002, even if the SPED went in- to much more in terms of policy then this document. NEWS 7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 08 SEPTEMBER 2021 KICHEN HELPER Padthai Kitchen(Jungel Joy) of Gzira are seeking the immediate employment, on a partl-time basis , of a person with knowledge of Thai cuisine, to work as a Kitchen Helper to assist in Kitchen and general restaurant duties, Although no particular qualifications are required, the ideal candidate must be fluent in written and spoken Thai and English, must also demonstrate sound knowledge of Thai traditional and Thai cuisine. Experience in a similar position would be considered in asset. The candidate must also have a clean criminal record. The salary of €5.00 per hour is being offered to the suitable candidate. Interested candidates are to send CV by email to padthaikitchen.malta@gmail.com with the words "Kitchen Helper" as the subject, by not later than Wednesday 15th September 2021. CASHIER/GENERAL ATTENDANT Padthai Kitchen (Jungel Joy) of Gzira are seeking the immediate employment, on a full-time basis , of a person with knowledge of Thai cuisine, to work as a Cashier/General Attendant and to also assist in general restaurant duties, for example explaining to customers the Ingredients of dishes offered. Although no particular qualifications are required, the ideal candidate must be fluent in written and spoken Thai and English, must also demonstrate sound knowledge of Thai traditional and Thai cuisine. Experience in a similar position would be considered in asset. The candidate must also have a clean criminal record. The duties of the chosen candidate will include handling sales, assisting patrons with queries, helping as necessary in the restaurant (not cooking). The salary of €5.00 per hour is being offered to the suitable candidate. Interested candidates are to send CV by email to padthaikitchen.malta@gmail.com with the words "Cashier/General Attendant" as the subject, by not later than Wednesday 15th September 2021. Marsascala marina: The cart before the horse? While sticking to plans to increase berths to "a minimum" of 700, Transport Malta told bidders that opposition to Marsaskala marina plans is 'speculative' as design of project still has to be approved