Proposed airstrip dotted with archaeological remains!

Proposed site for Gozo airstrip, dotted with archaeological remains, is drowning in waste
by FRANCESCA VELLA

Ta’ Lambert, the main site earmarked for the proposed airstrip in Gozo, is dotted with important archaeological remains, but it is truly going to the dogs, as waste is dumped there illegally on a daily basis, this newspaper has learnt.

Despite enforcement notices issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority regarding the illegal dumping of waste at the site, it has turned into a horrible, foul-smelling dump.

Alternattiva Demokratika recently held a press conference at Ta’ Lambert on the matter, saying that “either the authorities are turning a blind eye to certain individuals, or, that the government, contrary to its much-vaunted eco-Gozo campaign, is hell-bent on irreparably harming the long term sustainability of Gozo as a quality tourist destination”.

AD spokesman for Gozo Victor Galea told The Malta Independent on Sunday yesterday that he went to have a look at Ta’ Lambert on Friday, and said the situation had worsened since the party held the press conference at the beginning of last month. Animal carcasses are also being dumped there now, he added.

The site is mostly mentioned because of its close proximity to the non-operational heliport, and the fact that it is the main site earmarked for the proposed airstrip.

Little importance is given to the site’s archaeological remains, including cart ruts, which the Gozo Ministry itself mentions on its website and gives directions on how to get there. How could the ministry promote a site that has been turned into a dump? READ HERE

Even the Environmental Impact Assessment report on the Tal-Kus Waste Transfer Facility, close to Ta’ Lambert, makes reference to the “site in vicinity of area is of archaeological value”.

The archaeological and cultural heritage features identified within 500 metres of the site include a number of vernacular structures such as rubble walls and agricultural stores.

The site is also home to St Cecilia’s Tower and St Cecilia’s Chapel – the only chapel in Gozo that dates back to medieval times – as well as Ghar ix-Xih, which is important for the rock-cut features carved on the cave’s walls and the surrounding garigue.

One of the fields at Ta’ Lambert also has a stone alignment, consisting of a row of six large stones that may have formed part of a much larger megalithic structure, possibly buried underground.

Joe Muscat, from the Gozo Tourism Association told this newspaper that whenever presentations on the heliport are made to the authorities, reference is always made to the fact that the area has been turned into a dumping site.

Indeed, illegal dumping has been going on for years; the first enforcement notice was issued in 1996, a year before Roy Perry proposed the idea of building an extension to the non-operational helipad.

Asked what the GTA was doing to stop the illegal dumping at Ta’ Lambert, Mr Muscat said the association always puts pressure on the authorities by insisting that the island’s “product has to be taken care of”.

But he spent more time talking about the proposed airstrip, which he said is necessary as a means of providing alternative access to Gozo. He added that it does not necessarily have to be built at Ta’ Lambert.

“Access means success. We have a very good link to Malta by sea, but that does not mean we should not have an alternative in the form of a financially viable air link using a fixed wing aircraft. We’re not talking about an airport; that would not make sense considering the island’s infrastructure.

“Gozo is not a crib; it is not a place where people simply move to when they reach retirement age. We need to strike a balance between the rural character of the place and development as a means of sustaining the tourism industry.”

He acknowledged the need for a study on the impact that the airstrip would have on the environment, agriculture, and archaeological remains.

Time is pressing however, he said, insisting on the need for a solution to have an airstrip in Gozo.

But AD’s Victor Galea is not convinced, particularly because so many people have been so secretive about the airstrip issue.

“The GTA and the GBC (Gozo Business Chamber) are all for an airstrip in Gozo (specifically on this archaeological site). At the same time, they have been extremely silent about the dumping of waste at Ta’ Lambert. What do we really want for Gozo?”


Xewkija Temple in Malta : In collaboration with British Archaeological Jobs Resource Contents: Natural stones or ancient megalithic remains in Coate? Reprint of Xewkija temple report A brief history of Stonehenge theories Underwater excavations of a Turkish prehistoric settlement 4,000-year-old 'Abraham's Gate' reopened to public Rare Iron Age bowls unearthed in Wales Walkers are dismantling ancient Yorkshire cairnsa New technology for dating ancient rock paintings 6,000-year old cave paintings found in Peru Bronze Age burial site damaged by Scottish Police Speaker: David Connolly (BAJR) Â Listen to the weekly Archaeo News. Listen to Podcast HERE

Is an air link a real necessity?

People like Franco J. Scicluna would say yes.

One of the reasons (?) Mr. Scicluna gives is that "If only a serious air service was in operation between Gozo and Malta International Airport a lot of hassle and hardship would have been avoided during the (bus) strike."
In his letter to The Times on Friday 25th July 2008 he wrote about a serious inter-island air service.

Once again, his letter provoked other people to add their comments on The Times on-line.

Here they are:

apgrech

What's wrong with extending Gozo's runway a bit and put two or three smaller aircrafts to service between Malta and Gozo? If prices are reasonable, the service will be used by many.

John Portelli
Gozo needs a viable airlink. Period. It's ridiculous that in this day and age, there is no airlink. We have gone back so much in time, it's not even funny. Is this what we call progress. Or is this a big joke.

Liam Kelly

So we're trying to justify using air transport to take us the gigantic distance of a few miles?

The spannish company stopped operating for a reason; no market.

Isn't it obvious what Roy Perry will want given is well known agenda?

The truth is it is unrealistic, unnecessary, irresponsible and down right damaging to have any form of air link to Gozo, deep down we all know that.

Hovercraft is the answer.

N Palmer

@Liam Kelly

I think you will find that Helisureste stopped operations because the cost associated with operating a helicopter in terms of maintenance and fuel far outweighed the price that people were willing to pay for the ticket.

It's not that there is no market for an air-link to Gozo but rather than it needs to be a cost effective solution, and helicopters are not the answer! This means that an air-link can only be served by a suitable fixed wing aircraft, and then one goes back to the various ongoing issues that have been discussed over the past couple of years.

Vincent Gauci

Before jumping to hasty conclusions about the need for increasing the length of the air strip in Gozo, we should see how this would feature within the concept of Gozo as an eco-island.

John Mizzi

If the heliport is not going to be used it should be decommissioned and all the buried cart ruts underneath uncovered. The Roman vine canals should be cleared as well and the whole area turned into a tourism archaeological park. The heritage superintendence should schedule the whole area ASAP. At Ta' Lambert Gozitans go to worship the Virgin Mary since they realize that the whole area is a special place.

L Galea

A Gozo aircraft link with the necessary extension to the runway is simply a continuation of the rape of Gozo. A bridge is an all-weather means of linking the Islands.

I agree with John Mizzi that the Roman vine canals be uncovered as they would serve as a tourist attraction.

How on earth can you boast of an eco-island when you want to continue to rape it to satisfy your greed and comfort?

Liam Kelly

@ N Palmer

So your saying when Helsureste did their feasibility research in the first place they thought...there's a market....so it must work....Operating costs... what are those?

Perhaps not.

Roy S. Perry

I wish to thank Franco for keeping the subject in view. The problem here is that nobody listens to exactly what is being proposed nor do they appreciate the need. There is a perfectly good ferry service for commuters in both directions. There is NOT a quick, comfortable and reliable fast link for our visitors, the elderly or infirm, those without patience or medical staff.

Go to the GozoAirlink blog and note that 85% of voters support it. Ask most Gozitans and they agree. Most of all, why don't we stop this 'pussyfooting about' and set up a meeting to exchange ideas instead of this perpetual slanging match.

An Airlink will bring discerning visitors, a bridge would ONLY be valid between communities of similar size. Most of all, I say, let Gozo decide.

By the way, I have designed and costed the idea of a bridge (actually two would be needed - via Comino - and a submersible tunnel. Both options are incredibly expensive and impractical. This, after all, is not Manhatten!

James A. Tyrrell

First of all I would like to say that I support what John Mizzi says 100%. I also agree with most of what Liam Kelly says although I don't think a hovercraft is the answer. Nor is a bridge as suggested by L Galea. The problem with a bridge apart from the obvious one of cost is that it provides easy access for criminals.

As for Roy S. Perry and his desire to concrete over more of the little island of Gozo I would be interested in knowing if he personally has a vested interest in any such development.

The only answer and the least disruptive one given the short distance involved and the small size of the island is a restoration of the helicopter service. If the Government were serious about Gozo as an Eco island then surely they would be more than willing to subsidise such a service to protect the Gozo environment.

Adrian Cardona

"The problem with a bridge apart from the obvious one of cost is that it provides easy access for criminals"
What kind of reason is that??!! Are you worried that poor crime-free Gozo will be raped and pillaged by the nefarious Maltese?

apgrech

I had a second thought. To go to Gozo by ferry say from Lija, one would have to drive to Cirkewwa. If same person have to fly to Gozo, s/he has to drive to Luqa so, it's Cikku briku plus, one can't go by car if s/he uses the aircraft.

It is amazing what reasons people who say they arte in favour of an airstrip on this little island comes up with. As if the buses strike which occured in malta mid this month are going to take place on a monthly basis! As if the sea between Malta and Gozo is going to be so rough that the 20-minute ferry will stop working!

On the otherhand it seems that for a 20 minute ferry journey, some are ready to put more tarmac and cement the whole idea once and for all.

What Gozo really needs

The Times of Malta today published a letter by the Secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA).

Basically the GTA referred to Franco Scicluna's previous letter to the Times entitles 'Serious Inter-island Air Service'.

The GTA reiterated that "since its inception in February 1999, our stand regarding the air link between Malta and Gozo has always been in favour of an air strip"

The GTA states that "The association and its members are living the experience of the absence of an air strip and are fully aware what tourism on Gozo is losing through this lack of alternative service".

A quite strong and much debatable statement by the GTA is this one: "The future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an air strip" and in order to tone this done, the secretary of the GTA added "...well situated and blending with the Gozitan countryside".

The GTA statement concluded by encouraging the government to "to take the bold decision in favour of an air strip and surely in favour of Gozo."

BOLD indeed. Is this what the GTA will be proposing for the eco-gozo project? Hope not!

Interesting are some of the comments published on The Times on-line.

Here they are:

emanuel bajada

The GTA Secretary would better tackle the issue of the construction works ongoing in Xlendi and Marsalforn destroying the holiday of hundreds of holidaymakers in both resorts. What is the use of wooing holiday makers to the island offering first class air link service to find construction rogues waking them at 6 in the morning with all type of excavation, shattering noise from construction machinery and shouting.

If Mr Muscat wants his association to be credible he should explain why Xlendi and Marsalforn had since last year lost the status of a touristic area for construction purposes bar 5 streets in each location. He should tell us what the association has done to have competent authority reinstate this status for this 2 important tourist resorts. Glad to know this have been corrected since the 7th instant for which I would like to thank Mr. David Apap area manager MTA and also Parliamentary Sec. Hon Chris Said for their efforts for having the relevant authority correcting this anomaly. Now it is up to competent enforcement authorities to see that this new legislation is adhered too. Our visitor's holiday is destroyed by construction works not because there is no air link !!!!

M. galea
We have the GTA reacting again where it suits the books of some of its businessman-members.
"The future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an air strip"
Oh come on....

Instigate a general cleanup of the island.

Look at the illegal dumping sites over archeological remains at Ta' Lambert - Xewkija so near the heliport.

Look at the welcoming concrete monster at Dwejra.

Look at the attitude of some bars, shops and restaurant owners ready to rip off tourists (yes they need to make a living)

Look at the nonexistent public transport system on the island!

Look at the behavior of taxi drivers down at the harbor as soon as they spot a tourist coming down from the ferry.

Look at the shabbiness around the Gozo countryside including the filt around the hiostoric salt pants.

If the GTA is not pro-active in such basic areas, how could they be trusted in overlooking the building of an airstrip?

I wonder sometimes why neither the GTA or the Business Chamber never applaud AD's proposal of sea-links (catamaran, sea-planes) directly from Gozo to other parts of the Mediterranean.

Perhaps they are afraid that Giovanna will fire them?

Roy Perry

I wish to thank Mr Muscat for supporting the idea of an airstrip in Gozo. There seems little point if the major hotels in Gozo improve their standard of accommodation and facilities if the discerning visitor is excluded from a fast and convenient transfer by air. I invite Joe to contact me on 27016277 to attend a meeting on Saturday morning - August 2nd. See also http://gozoairstrip.blogspot.com

Liam Kelly

You must be deluded if you think that building a airstrip constitutes a 'balanced' development on a tiny island!

However, since you've also said that the future of your tourism industry relies on an airstrip, you won't be needing the ferry service anymore then will you? We'll just take that away in order to pay for your air strip....then you'll realise what a ridiculous statement that was I'm sure.

Its particularly worrying that since you work in the tourism industry yourself, you have yet to figure out the rationale of tourists coming to Gozo....peace and quiet, tranquility, greenery and to get away from life....How does an airstrip fit into that raison d'etre?

That IS your market because it is what makes Gozo so NATURALLY beautiful, any destination can copy another destination, but the price of this is that it takes away what made it attractive in the first place.

Franco Farrugia

Go on, Gozitans! Destroy the tiny island, the only environmentally-sound area we have in the Maltese islands.

An air strip will destroy Gozo as we know it now. Think of the land that it will necessary eat up; think about the noise of the aircraft, that same that we hear in the Gudja/Luqa areas. Think of the building amenities which will have to mushroom!!!

Perhaps Mr Muscat can elucidate on what 'other opportunities the island needs to enhance its primary tourism industry'.

I think the Government should be committed to the sparing of Gozo of the same downward development that has destroyed the mainland!

I don't personally believe that 'the future of the tourism industry on Gozo relies on the availability of an airs strip.'

How can Mr Muscat speak about an air strip which is 'well situated' and 'blending with the Gozitan countryside'? We are speaking about two opposite things - airstrip and countryside. God and the Devil. Right, and wrong. Black and White. Plus and minus.

Kapixx?

Alfred Grech

I'm in full agreement with Joe Muscat. It's about time the government considers Gozo as an excellent destination for Maltese and tourists alike. It's a gem that needs to be promoted and made easy to access.

Gozo is unique and beautiful and its people are warm, friendly and accomodating.

Accomodating indeed, especially if Gozitans fall for this trap by a few businessmen!