Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543837
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 MARCH 2026 NEWS Over 2,000 tonnes of waste disposed outside collection time in St Paul's Bay IN 2024, more than 2,000 tonnes of domestic garbage were collect- ed outside of waste collection time in St Paul's Bay. Responding to a parliamenta- ry question by PN MP Graziel- la Galea, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli gave a month-by- month breakdown of how much trash was collected in Malta's big- gest locality. The waste was collected by the Cleansing and Maintenance Di- vision (CMD) as the garbage was disposed of outside collection hours. August saw the highest amount of waste collected by the CMD, as 267 tonnes of trash was picked up. In fact, the summer months see the most domestic waste, as June and July saw 240 tonnes and 261 tonnes respectively. In total, the locality, which hosts many short-let properties, saw 2,041 tonnes of domestic garbage disposed of outside waste collec- tion time. Last summer, the locality's may- or pleaded with authorities to give local councils control over the contractors responsible for waste collection. Mayor Ċensu Galea called for systemic changes, including stricter discipline on what is dis- posed of in the bags and more en- forcement. Galea stated that local councils currently lack control over the collection routes being used by waste management services. He insisted that stronger over- sight is required for those us- ing the waste collection service, adding that local councils must be granted the authority to im- plement enforcement systems to strengthen discipline within their communities. Month Amount of waste January 124 tonnes February 96 tonnes March 145 tonnes April 123 tonnes May 176 tonnes June 240 tonnes July 261 tonnes August 267 tonnes September 186 tonnes October 175 tonnes November 132 tonnes December 116 tonnes MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt August saw the highest amount of waste collected by the CMD, as 267 tonnes of trash was picked up Momentum calls for authorities to act on padel courts construction on Manoel Island MOMENTUM has called on authorities to act on the con- struction of padel courts on Manoel Island. On Monday, MaltaToday re- ported that the Gżira United Football Club has confirmed it is responsible for the con- struction of the padel courts at Nicholl Ground on Manoel Island. The Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign raised con- cerns that at least six new padel courts appeared to be going up adjacent to existing facilities near the island's entrance. The campaign said the only publicly known planning ap- plication mentioning padel courts on Manoel Island was submitted by MIDI in 2023, but was not approved. Momentum executive mem- ber, Matthew Agius, said that "Manoel Island falls within the proposed buffer zone that protects the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valletta. UNE- SCO has recently warned that development around Valletta is placing pressure on the city's World Heritage status." Momentum stated that the issue is not about opposing sport or community, but en- suring that all development complies with the law and fol- lows necessary planning pro- cedures, especially since the construction seems to be pro- ceeding without "the most ba- sic requirement of a planning permit." The party also pointed out that previous planning deci- sions have already recognised these risks, after deferring a proposal for new apartment blocks to be built on Manoel Island due to concerns that the development could undermine Valletta's heritage buffer zone. The authorities are being asked to clarify whether a planning permit exists for the padel courts, whether enforce- ment action has been initiated and whether the development is consistent with planning policies protecting Valletta's heritage status. Momentum added that con- tinuing to allow the construc- tion would set a dangerous precedent and undermine public trust in the planning system, pointing out that the authorities have a responsibil- ity to protect Malta's heritage. The Manoel Island: Post Ghalina campaign raised concerns that at least six new padel courts appeared to be going up adjacent to existing facilities on the island (Photo: Manoel Island Post Ghalina)