Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531046
3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 3 JANUARY 2025 NEWS GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt LAST Sunday marked the successful conclusion of the much- anticipated Jump for Life event, an inspiring initiative aimed at encouraging individuals struggling with addiction to take the courageous step towards seeking help. The event began with an invigorating hike to the stunning San- ap Cliffs, followed by exciting kayak trips along Gozo's pictur- esque coastline. The highlight of the day was the symbolic sea jump, where 26 brave participants leaped into the cold waters at noon, represent- ing the courage needed to take the first step towards recovery. The Jump for Life event served as a powerful reminder that seeking help is an act of bravery, not weakness. Each jump sym- bolised a personal commitment to breaking free from addiction and embracing a healthier future. Organized by OASI Foundation, this event not only brought people together in solidarity but also raised awareness about the importance of community support in overcoming addiction. The OASI Foundation thanked the Ministry for Gozo and Planning for sponsoring the event. It also thanked ERRC, Victoria Scout Group, and Xlendi Water Sports for their support, as well as the staff and volunteers for their dedication and help to make this event possible. 'Jump for Life' inspires courage and action in the fight against addiction SEVERAL NGOs intend to appeal the Planning Authority's decision to demolish the historic British Barracks at Fort Cham- bray to make way for 105 residential units, an aparthotel with 64 rooms and 50 apart- ments, and other commercial facilities. The NGOs are calling for the public's support to help them fund the appeals to save Fort Chambray. The public is being encouraged to make donations to raise the funds needed from here: https://zaar.com. mt/projects/help-save-fort-chambray/ The organisations criticised the Planning Authority's disregard for the country's his- torical heritage to allow greed to triumph and stressed that the decision to demolish the British Barracks is nothing short of a travesty. "The absurd statements by the Minis- try for Culture that the Fort Chambray development plans align with the vision of the Knights show that politicians have completely lost the plot," the NGOs said in a joint statement. "The growing chorus of protest over the desecration of our land and the anger over the evident collusion be- tween the political class and developers are undoubtedly justified." The NGOs said that they are ready to make use of any means provided for by law to stop the Fort Chambray development plans, which they insist constitute a man- ifest violation of the laws safeguarding the cultural heritage. The demolition and dismantling of the British Barracks, which date back to at least 1895, go against the Fort Chambray Devel- opment Brief, which clearly states that the Barracks, along with other historic sites within the Fort, are to be retained, restored and conserved. The British Barracks is the most iconic building inside the Fort that is first seen when approaching Mġarr Har- bour from the sea. It is inconceivable that anybody would want to eradicate this image from our col- lective memory and identity," the NGOs said. "The proposal not only seeks to bury the façade of the Barracks behind a myriad of dwelling units, but includes a proposal to construct another three storeys over a new building sporting the re-assembled façade." They said that the omission of the British Barracks from scheduling — despite the various requests by Gozitan organisations to grant them due protection — and the de- cision of the Planning Authority's CEO to take a vote on the application (PA 3884/23) for the development of Fort Chambray be- fore a decision was taken on the application (PA 2454/16) proposing the demolition of the Barracks are some of the planning irreg- ularities that characterised the Chambray saga. "These irregularities seriously call into question the legal validity of the decisions concerning Chambray," the NGOs said. They said that neither the government nor any developer has the right to destroy part of Gozo and Malta's history. The statement was signed by BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Din l-Art Ħelwa – Għawdex, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Ramblers' Association of Malta, The Archaeological Society Malta, and Wirt Għawdex. NGOs call for public's help to save Fort Chambray