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James Debono
The President of the Republic has terminated agriculture leases affecting 178,608 square meters (0.18 square kilometres of land) for its new “public purpose project” in Ghajn Tuffieha – the golf course.
The area in question is the equivalent of more than 22 full size football grounds, although this will not be the total area required for the siting of the golf course.
Fourteen of the leases have been issued on land in Manikata, Mellieha. The termination of the leases in the area identified for the Ghajn Tuffieha golf course indicate that the golf course is set for a fast track approach by government, where unlike other golf course applications like the rejected Verdala course and the pending Habel Bellu application, the Xaghra l-Hamra site has already been endorsed by the government before an environment impact assessment was carried out.
The notice of termination was signed by President Eddie Fenech Adami on request of the Malta Tourism Authority, now taking up the spadework for potential private developers for the golf course.
The government is considering the development of a golf course in Ghajn Tuffieha as “a public purpose project.”
With the exception of a golf consultant’s report issued in May, no studies have been yet published to justify the choice of Ghajn Tuffieha, although the government is determined to push through its golf course plans in the absence of these studies.
Farmers are being deprived of their land despite statements by the Malta Environment and Planning saying that at this stage it considers a golf course in the area “worth exploring” but that any application should include the necessary studies, including a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
The farmers in the area are up in arms against the termination of the leases in the area earmarked for the Ghajn Tuffieha golf course. MaltaToday has also learned that the parish priest in Manikata is supporting the farmers who have organised an action group.
Mario Cardona, the spokesperson for the newly formed group said farmers from two particular areas in Manikata have received notice of the termination of agricultural leases. According to Cardona one group of farmers who received the notice work the land in an area called tal-Bajjad.
This area is being earmarked for possible building development, mentioned in the report prepared by golf consultants Hawtree.
Cardona insists that the land in question is very fertile and a number of farmers rely on this land for their livelihood. “Some of the farmers in this area who have received the termination of lease have received funding from the government related to the development of vineyards and the restoration of rubble walls”
The other group of farmers at ix-Xaghra l-Hamra itself are mainly part-time farmers who still consider agriculture as an important part of their life.
The action group has so far already organised a meeting in the parish hall in which the parish priest was also present.
Mellieha mayor John Buttigieg also expressed his concern on the termination of leases in Manikata. “We have asked MEPA to give us more information but so far we have received no reply,” the mayor told MaltaToday.
Buttigieg also expressed his concern that in the light of the termination of these leases, a couple of farmers will lose their livelihood.
But the Malta Tourism Authority considers golf as more important than agriculture. Replying on behalf of the Prime Minister, and the tourism and environment ministries, the Department of Information said that when a project is planned it is normal practice for the co-ordinating authority on the project to request the termination of all government leases on the area identified for the project.
“The Malta Tourism Authority is in no doubt that a project coordinated by itself to enhance tourism, a major pillar of our economy, qualifies as a public purpose project.”
The DOI did not confirm whether the environment ministry had been consulted before the termination of the leases. No justification was given on why the termination was issued before the publication of an EIA.
Last week, referring to the concern on the future of the scout camp in Ghajn Tuffieha, a spokesperson for the environment ministry told MaltaToday that “at this point there is only a proposal for a golf course site. In view of this, there is no definite course of action and all decisions will be based on the outcome of studies and consultation processes that will be conducted.”
It seems that the same caution is not being shown with regards to agricultural leases on this site.
jdebono@newsworksltd.com
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