Zip-lines proposed over picturesque beaches

Five zip-lines passing over Golden Bay, Ghadira Bay, Wied iz-Zurrieq, Paradise Bay and the Ta’ Qali family park are being proposed by a private entrepreneur in an application presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority over the last week.

A zip-line usually consists of a pulley on a cable, usually made of stainless steel, on which a user propelled by gravity can travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on to, or attaching to, the freely moving pulley.  

Zip-lines generally serve as an outdoor adventure activity. The jungles of Costa Rica and Nicaragua are popular destinations for zip-line enthusiasts.

At Golden Bay the users of the proposed zip-line would depart from a structure located uphill on the countryside overlooking the beach to arrive on a structure located near an existing kiosk at the edge of the beach next to the sunbed hire shop. 

At Paradise Bay clients would leave from a structure located near an existing road uphill passing over the sea to arrive on a structure located in the car park. At Ghadira Bay clients would be departing from l-Ahrax from a point along the existing road to arrive at a point set on the beach opposite the police station.

And at Wied iz-Zurrieq the departure point would be located near the pedestrian walkway to pass over the Blue Grotto.

The structures, consisting of steel mesh from which clients would depart, will be between 4.7 metres (Golden Bay) and 12.3 metres high along the road at l-Ahrax and the road leading to Paradise Bay.

If ever approved the proposed structures would be located on protected ODZ sites. 

The applications are sited on public land and the Lands Department has been notified of the developers’ intentions to seek a permit for the erection of these private structures.