Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/578491
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2015 3 News Malta to have international racetrack Expression of Interest for design, construction and operation of motorsports racetrack launched, ODZ site not excluded MIRIAM DALLI AN international expression of interest for the design, construc- tion and operation of a motor recreation and education park was launched yesterday morning by parliamentary secretary for sports Chris Agius. The launch of the EOI was wel- comed by motorsports enthu- siasts, who for years have been promised a professional race- track. Motorsports in Malta is extremely popular, with several local names hitting internation- al headlines when competing abroad. Although a small number of fa- cilities exist, these preclude the organisation of events of inter- national standard. The EOI leaves it up to inves- tors to come up with their own choice of location: "Several sites were proposed in the consulta- tion process for the drafting of the EOI. We decided to leave it open and consider the sites in line with what the investor pro- poses," Agius said. However, the proposed track could provoke the ire of envi- ronmentalists as it could sited on an ODZ area. Asked whether the government would prefer committed land over ODZ land, Agius said the privatisation unit will consider all proposals and plans will be subjected to the various authorities. "The government wants to ensure the maximisation of the land used, especially for the cre- ation of jobs." Likewise, PN spokesman for sports David Agius said the Op- position would seek to ensure the maximisation of land used. "The choice of land will be the main issue. We will therefore consider the proposals that will be submitted and help enthusi- asts with the realisation of this dream," the PN spokesman said. The parliamentary secretary added that the government was not only after a race track of in- ternational standards but also a facility that serves to educate drivers in a bid to reduce acci- dents and promote safety. According to Chris Agius, the EOI has already generated inter- est from foreign investors. The EOI seeks the develop- ment of racing tracks for cars, bikes, go karts, mini motos and scooters, meeting international standards. The complex must attract international events on a regular basis. The park's admin- istration, in agreement with the government, must allow slots to be used by local enthusiasts for their training. The complex must provide an educational facility on road safe- ty, parking facilities, spectators' stands, a media area and must make use of renewable energy. "Other guidelines which could form part of the projects" in- clude a transport museum, a hotel, administration offices and a facility for repair and mainte- nances. Motorsports journalist Pierre Vella said that there was a dire need for such a complex, which however should not remain unu- tilised when no tournaments are organised. "The amount of land that will be taken up by this project will be substantial and therefore it must be both productive and economically feasible," he told MaltaToday. According to Vella, the com- plex can serve as "a brilliant op- portunity" to teach people how to drive. "Our driving tests take place on busy roads. With such a com- plex, we could train drivers for different scenarios by creating different environments: what to do if it's raining or if the road is slippery," he said. Vella added that the whole project "won't work if it will sim- ply address amateur racing". Interested investors may col- lect the document from the Privatisation Unit, which will receive submissions until 20 January 2016. An international expression of interest for the design, construction and operation of motorsports complex has been launched Front Harsien ODZ wants transparency on Mosta hotel MAT THEW VELLA A proposed 30-room spa hotel in an ODZ area in Mosta – previ- ously earmarked for a contro- versial shooting range that was later refused permit – has raised demands for full transparency, consultation and for clear condi- tions from Front Harsien ODZ. The lobby group said it want- ed clear conditions imposed by the government to prevent any present or future development outside the footprint of the site. "Since this is public land being handed to the private sector we demand full transparency on plans and consultation involving local communities and the gen- eral public. Developers should not hide behind rhetorical dis- course like describing a hotel as a retreat house but should present their plans in full," the Front said. The Front also called on the government to be transparent by publishing all agreements with company and any agreements or contracts submitted in par- liament. Any agreement should also exclude any development beyond the existing barracks and any expansion of the project in the future. "The Front welcomes the decla- ration by GP Borg Construction that the project will be limited to the existing barracks and no further construction will take place, but insisted on the publi- cation of all plans. The footprint should be restricted to the exist- ing barracks and no ODZ land should be sacrificed for ancillary development including pools, pathways, car parks, infrastruc- ture and other paved recrea- tional areas. The traffic impact should also be studied in full, especially in relation to the site's rural nature." Front Harsien ODZ also insist- ed that local communities should be consulted in full on the best use of the site in question before a final decision is made on allo- cating land to private sector. A former shooting range at Busbesija in Mosta formerly threatened the peace at Mount St Joseph retreat home, prompting the opposition of the Jesuit Order and Mosta residents Maltese roads at a standstill as traffic blocks major roads ROAD closures and the habitual school traffic chaos brought vehicles to a standstill on major roads across the island yesterday morning. Gridlocks have been reported in roads including Regional Road in both direc- tions, Mdina Road in Attard and Qawra, with several on-going road-works in the ar- eas aggravating the condition. Commuters used social media to vent their frustration and reported being stuck in traffic for hours ahead of work. Some 31,500 chil- dren returned to school Monday morn- ing as most public, private and church schools started the new scholastic year. Recently a white paper on school opening hours and traffic congestion had recommended that schools open earlier to alleviate traffic congestions at rush hours. The document was re- ceived with a lot of criticism and the opposition criti- cising the recom- mendation, and insisting that it was further proof that the government didn't in fact have a roadmap to tackle traffic, as it had promised. PHOTOGRAPHY BY: RAY ATTARD