Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar welcomes support for reclamation of public access at Manoel Island

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has expressed its support for the Gzira local council’s initiative to reclaim public access to Manoel Island, and reiterated its plea to declare the area a nature park.

“Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar welcomes and supports the Gzira local council initiative to reclaim public access to Manoel Island and to allow the public to make use of these areas for recreation and swimming,” the eNGO said in a statement.

Yesterday, the Gzira local council filed a judicial protest against MIDI, accusing the company of blocking off access to the foreshore to the detriment of Gzira residents. The local council demanded that the development consortium open up Manoel Island’s foreshore to the public, noting that a 99-year emphyteusis granted to MIDI in June 2000 for the regeneration of Manoel Island specifically excluded the island’s foreshore.

In July, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar filed all the relevant documentation with the Planning Authority and the ministries involved to have Manoel Island, among 13 other areas, categorised as public domain.

“The foreshore is automatically recognised as being in the public domain under the Public Domain Act. To date the authorities have not replied to our proposals, showing that they do not care for residents’ plight,” it said.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar also highlighted the importance of Manoel Island for its surrounding areas.

“The Sliema, Gzira area is choking with traffic congestion, all our open areas are being commercialised at an alarming rate and the public is being deprived of its access to practically all public spaces and beaches. Manoel Island is the only wooded green oasis between Msida and Madliena,” it said.

The eNGO claimed that governments have disregarded studies pinpointing the importance of green areas.

“Successive governments have ignored all the international studies that show that green areas, and especially trees, are essential to residents' physical health, while improving children's concentration and academic achievements and helping those suffering from mental health issues,” it said.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar restated its stance that Manoel Island should remain as green as possible.

“Malta's heritage is a national asset to benefit the public, and should not be sold off. In the light of Manoel Island's heritage status, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar reiterates its plea to the government to declare Manoel Island a much-needed national heritage and nature park - Manoel Island should be the area's green lung, our Central Park.”

On his part, MIDI chief executive Luke Coppini warned, however, that turning Manoel Island’s foreshore into a free-for-all swimming zone is not an option, claiming that it risks opening the floodgates to vandalism and drug abuse on the island.

Coppini added that MIDI remains fully committed to regenerating the former military base at Manoel Island.