Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1527863
9 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 OCTOBER 2024 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt BirdLife decries airstrip works during shearwater breeding season THE Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has recommended that noise-gener- ating construction works on the airstrip in Xewkija be undertaken between September and December, to avoid disturbing various bird species that frequent the area during their breeding season. This condition was based on a recommen- dation made in a study assessing the impact on all the bird species that frequent the area, most of which have a breeding season be- tween March and September. However, if the works are carried out at this time of the year, they would still coin- cide with the breeding season of the Scopoli's shearwater, which nests in the Ta' Ċenċ cliffs between February and the end of October. The construction of the 445m-long airstrip, located on disturbed land near the heliport, was approved by the Planning Authority on Thursday, despite strong opposition from BirdLife Malta, represented by its conserva- tion officer Nicholas Barbara, who flagged the recommendation to allow works during the shearwater breeding season as an exam- ple of a flawed assessment of the project's impacts. The ERA issued its go-ahead for the project while imposing several conditions, including one stating that "high noise-generating inter- ventions" should be avoided during the "sen- sitive breeding periods of birds", with works ideally to be undertaken in autumn, between September and December. The ERA also called for noise abatement measures for machinery and equipment used during the works and limited the works to daytime hours. This recommendation was based on the results of an Appropriate As- sessment carried out by ornithologist Natal- ino Fenech. The assessment downplays the risk of dis- turbance to bird colonies during both the construction and operational phases of the airstrip. The reason given is that the distance to the nearest cliffs (1.6 km) is considered sufficient to render any noise and light ef- fects insignificant. However, as an extra precaution, the report recommends that works be avoided during the most sensitive period of the birds' life- cycle, specifically the breeding period, with works being carried out in autumn, between September and December. The report refers to each of the 17 species confirmed to breed in the surrounding area and includes a table identifying the breeding season for each spe- cies. While the breeding season for most birds on the list lasts from March to September, the breeding season for the Scopoli's and Yelkouan shearwaters extends over a longer period, including the autumn months. The report acknowledges that some noise will be generated by machinery while the land is being "excavated, levelled, and as- phalted", but it concludes that no "significant impacts" on "breeding or migratory birds" are expected. In addressing potential impacts on the Scopoli's shearwaters, the report spe- cifically recommends that lights be kept to a minimum if work takes place at night dur- ing the breeding season, which extends from February to October. Additionally, it calls for noise abatement measures during the late evening and night, particularly on days with northerly and north-easterly winds when sounds may carry over the sea to areas where the birds raft. The report also downplays the risk posed by airplanes during the operational stage of the airstrip, stating that airplanes will be fly- ing at over 180m above ground level in this area. It notes that when rafting at sea, these birds "encounter many boats of different sizes," which generate various noise levels that do not "negatively impact them." The report further states that "shearwaters continue to breed in the southern cliffs" despite noise and light pollution from the Ħal Far indus- trial estate. Although their numbers have decreased, the report argues that it is difficult to at- tribute the decline solely to light and noise, "as flights and lights have been present for decades" adding that "if these factors were disturbing enough, the whole colony would have been deserted". ERA defends expert reports In a response to MaltaToday, ERA defend- ed its recommendation to limit works to between September and December, stating that it followed recommendations made in studies conducted by independent consult- ants. According to ERA, both the Noise Impact Study and the Appropriate Assessment (AA) concluded that noise effects from the airfield on the Ta' Ċenċ area, including the cliffs, would not be significant. These studies also concluded that due to the large distance be- tween the proposed airstrip and the breeding areas on the cliffs, along with natural shield- ing provided by the cliffs, "no negative effects on their breeding colonies or rafting activi- ties at sea are expected." BirdLife criticises assessment Contacted by MaltaToday after the air- strip's approval, BirdLife's Head of Conser- vation, Nicholas Barbara, maintained his po- sition: "ERA still got their conditions wrong by proposing works between September and December, ignoring the breeding season of Scopoli's shearwater, which extends into Oc- tober." Barbara also insisted that BirdLife had no opportunity to question the conclusions of the Appropriate Assessment, which he de- scribed as flawed. During the public meeting, Barbara was interrupted by Planning Authority executive chairman Oliver Magro for not submitting BirdLife's reaction during the public con- sultation phase. This meant that BirdLife's objections could not be considered by the Planning Board. However, Barbara argued that BirdLife could not respond to the application because the two studies assessing the project's impact were published more than a year after the ap- plication was submitted and after the public consultation period had closed. The PA approved the Xewkija Rural Airfield project this week Palpable frustration Another minister shared their frustration with MaltaToday after seeing the backlash from environmental campaigners and residents to the Cabinet deci- sion. "Several of us were uncomfort- able with the Villa Rosa propos- al, some spoke up and others said nothing, but we really had no choice but to tag along seeing the Prime Minister's enthusiasm for the plans," they said. The minister added the situa- tion was symptomatic of Abela's leadership and his style of "say- ing one thing and doing anoth- er". "Ministers are at a loss on how to behave because even though they would be assured of the Prime Minister's support when taking tough decisions, they cannot bank on him to have their backs when the going gets tough," they said. The frustration with Abela among ministers is palpable, es- pecially in a situation where the need to change the local plan for the specific site has no overrid- ing public interest. "It seems we've learnt nothing from the June election," the min- ister said in a resigned tone. What the Villa Rosa project is about Designed by Dutch firm UNStudio, the €305 million project will include two towers of 27 and 34 storeys rising above St George's Bay. The towers will host 789 serviced apartments, 247 hotel rooms and 16,000sq.m of office space. The new plans have done away with low-rise buildings encircling the bay but retained a four-storey hotel on the Cresta Quay site and a commercial and residential development adjacent to Bay Street and on the Moynihan House site, which will be demolished. The plans have removed 15 villas in the valley, which ERA had objected to. In 2023, Anton Camilleri had justified the increased volumes of the project – with gross floor area rising from 141,000sq.m to 237,000sq.m – by referring to an 11,000sq.m 'Pjazza Trito- ni-size' open square along the beach. The Villa Rosa Palazzo will be re- stored and a private garden around it landscaped with indigenous trees and shrubs. government with a does another