News | Sunday, 08 February 2009

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Marsaskala coast earmarked for yacht marina

James Debono
The southern seaside town of Marsaskala has been earmarked for the construction of a yacht marina, to be developed by the Marsaskala Sports Club (MSC) and Italian engineers Teseco.
The project will include redeveloping the former national waterpolo pitch into a sports, residential and commercial complex. The project includes a swimming zone between the waterpolo pitch and Zonqor point, which will not be affected by the marina, which instead will occupy the rest of the coastline.
Strangely, mayor Mario Calleja is claiming he did not know anything about the planning application for the marina, while the MSC and MEPA confirmed with MaltaToday they informed the council about the project before he was contacted by MaltaToday.
Silvio Scerri, a former president of the sports club, said Teseco, which specialise in environmental engineering, were leaders in this technology. He said Teseco will also use renewable energy sources to heat the waterpolo pitch in winter.
Kenneth Abela, the liaison between Teseco and the sports club, said the firm will use its experience to embellish Marsaskala and compensate for environmental degradation in the area.
The project also includes the development of a breakwater. “The breakwater will not be visible from land as it will be entirely submerged,” Abela said.
Abela said the breakwater will solve the problem of rusty seacraft that are left parked on the promenade in winter because of strong winds.
He also promised more berthing spaces for these boats. “Our aim is to create organised mooring facilities for both existing boats and other yachts.”
He also hinted that Teseco might be interested in the rehabilitation of the Maghluq nature reserve.
Fans and foes
But the project also includes the development of a hotel and residential units on the former national pool, which was granted to the sports club in 2001.
Silvio Scerri claims the residence will attract sport tourism and serve as accommodation for sportsmen recovering from injuries.
Kenneth Abela added that the new hotel will compensate for the impact of the closure of the Jerma Hotel.
Abela said the government gave him a favourable response to the project, and that the local council is fully informed of the plans for the new marina.
For some reason however, both the Labour mayor Mario Calleja and the executive secretary told MaltaToday that they knew nothing about the new marina. “What has MEPA to do with yacht marinas? Shouldn’t such a project be undertaken by the central government?” a seemingly incredulous Calleja asked.
A MEPA spokesperson however confirmed that an email was sent to the council had informed them on the application before it was published on the MEPA website last week.
Calleja has refused to take a position on the project, claiming he knew nothing of the project. “This is a matter on which there should be full public consultation.” Calleja said.
In 2007, Calleja expressed his position in favour of a yacht marina in Marsaskala to change the town into a tourism hub, and argued that it was “useless to hark to the good old times when Marsaskala was a tiny village”.
Two PN councillors have claimed in newspaper Illum that Calleja boasted of international contacts that were interested in developing the marina and transform the small village into a “Porto Fino”, the Italian playground for the rich and famous.
Opposition to the project in fact comes from inside the village core, Wied il-Ghajn, especially among boat owners and fishermen.
Even the PL’s local committee is believed to be unfavourable to a yacht marina.
Other Wied il-Ghajn residents however, especially the business community, welcomed the prospect of investment after the closure of the Jerma Hotel.
As explained by a Labour activist, the real issue at hand is the need for consultation and transparency. “What’s important is that full consultation takes place and that the council is fully involved in the planning process. What irks us is the lack of consultation and that the mayor has already pronounced himself in favour of a yacht marina.”
Local plan paves the way
The local plan for Marsaskala already paves the way for marina projects, always subject to the usual environmental impact assessment.
Even the site of the former national waterpolo pitch is earmarked in the local plan for residential and commercial development, on condition that 20-30% of the entire site is dedicated to sporting and recreational facilities.
But the marina will certainly need a breakwater – in 1997, MEPA’s study on yachting said Marsaskala was exposed to easterly winds and severe wave problems, even arguing it would not be attractive to international yachters.
The breakwater would be funded from revenues made from the commercial development.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt

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