Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/519957
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 31 MAY 2015 News 11 yacht marina, apply to the one pro- posed in is-Simar. Even the recon- figuration of the coast requires studies on geological impacts and on water currents. Even the reasons that led MEPA's Environment Protection Directo- rate to recommend a clear refusal in 2011 to Hondoq, may apply to the Simar proposal. Hondoq was refused because it was a "major urban-type development proposed ODZ and in an area which should be kept free from even small-scale urban development." The directorate had also said that rehabilitating the quarry at Hondoq could be addressed with- out any new development, but through simple measures like the accumulation of quarry debris and afforestation. In fact it said that the project could set a "dangerous precedent which will result in fur- ther undesirable development" on natural areas because of the need of new roads. The most controversial aspect of any such project such as the Simar terminal would be the de- velopment of a new road passing through agricultural land. Other impacts would be those on marine life, such as legally protected Posi- donia meadows, and the impact of light pollution on bats and birds. Another major obstacle to the project is the strong prevailing winds, that would make any land- scaping through the use of plants and trees difficult. Impact on Posidonia A scientific report that had formed part of the EIA for the Hondoq project had clearly shown that excavating parts of the rocky shoreline to create a channel for the yacht marina's inlet, would turn the waters murky and lead to a significant degradation of the marine life in the area. "The effect may extend to 1,000 metres away from the shore… this includes the nearest shoreline at Comino and the eastern-most tip of Gozo." The Hondoq project also risked major damage to Posidonia mead- ows in the Gozo-Comino chan- nel from construction dust, while other substances such as nitrates and phosphates could be released into the bay. The study expressed concern that effluent from sea craft could also pollute the Gozo- Comino Channel. One major difference between Hondoq and the Simar project is that the latter includes the cruise liner terminal: back in 2012, MEPA's Environment Protection Department said a cruise liner berth at Mgarr harbour would be "objectionable in principle" be- cause of the threat posed by dredg- ing to the protected Posidonia meadows and other protected spe- cies like the lesser Neptune grass. That project envisaged a new berthing facility within the port consisting of a platform 80 me- tres long and 15 metres wide, po- sitioned on concrete piles, and connected to the shore via a 100 metre-long bridge. A preliminary environment im- pact study indicated that almost half of the continuous Posidonia beds in the area would be directly lost as a result of dredging. And increased turbidity levels from the manoeuvring of large cruise liners, would also jeopardise any remain- ing Posidonia beds. So MEPA can only approve such a large-scale project like a cruise liner terminal, when it is clearly in breach of EU nature protection directives, in the event that it must be carried out for reasons of "over- riding public interest". But then this would have to be justified with the European Com- mission, accompanied by an ap- propriate compensation for the "loss of habitat". jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt esigns stoke public fears Good Morning MALTA When early and fast delivery is your priority As from tomorrow, 1st June, TNT Malta will be operating direct connections to and from its Euro Hub in Liege with the TNT-owned aircraft. With our international team of experts, we connect industries, businesses and people - everywhere, every day, every time. There is no better way to experience the power of our network and its people, than by shipping with us. Contact us at: 2558 4600 www.tnt.com sales@tnt.com.mt Aerial shot of the proposed development, with a quarry on its edge, owned by Roads Construction Ltd, depicted as farmland Chapman Taylor architects' designs of the project proposed by Kalamarine Consortium in Gozo The quarry at is-Simar, owned by Gatt Constructions' rivals Road Construction Ltd, being depicted here as farmland