Diving Master Plan for Malta. Dive Site Report 13: Cirkewwa South Point Mellieha

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1 Dive Site Report 13: Cirkewwa South Point Mellieha Version 1: December 2010

2 Report Reference: Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd, Diving Master Plan for Malta,. San Gwann, December 2010; v + 11pp + 1 Appendi. Please consider your environmental responsibilities before copying this Report i

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4 Quality Assurance Diving Master Plan for Malta Dive Site Report 13: Cirkewwa - South Point (Mellieha) December 2010 Report for: Malta Tourism Authority Revision Schedule Rev Date Details Surveys by: 00 Dec 2010 Submission to Client Andrea Pace, Yury Zammit Report Authored by: Yury Zammit Junior Consultant Approved by: Adrian Mallia Managing Director File ref: F:\ADI\Master Plans\Malta Diving Master Plan\Dive Site Reports\Report 13 - South Point - Cirkewwa.doc This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Adi Associates appointment with its client and is subject to the terms of that appointment. It is addressed to and for the sole and confidential use and reliance of Adi Associates client. Adi Associates accepts no liability for any use of this document other than by its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided. Ecept as provided for by legislation, no person other than the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the contents of this document, without the prior written permission of Adi Associates. Any advice, opinions, or recommendations within this document should be read and relied upon only in the contet of the document as a whole. The contents of this document do not provide legal or ta advice or opinion. Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd 2010 Kappara Business Centre 113 Triq Birkirkara San Gwann SGN 4197 Tel. / Fa: info@adi-associates.com Web: iii

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6 CONTENTS Introduction...1 Description of site...1 Access...1 Land use...2 Site Usage...2 Eisting facilities...3 Proposed interventions...3 Permit requirements...9 Timing and Priorities...10 Conclusion...11 FIGURES Figure 1: Location of site...1 Figure 2: Access point E2...2 Figure 3: Eisting facilities...5 Figure 4: Proposed interventions...7 TABLES Table 1: Rankings for Cirkewwa South Point (Mellieha)...2 Table 2: Permit requirements...9 Table 3: Prioritised interventions APPENDICES Anne 1 Data card v

7 DIVE SITE REPORT 13: CIRKEWWA SOUTH POINT (MELLIEHA) INTRODUCTION 1. Cirkewwa South Point is located to the south of the inter-island ferry terminal and to the west of the Paradise Bay Hotel. Cirkewwa forms part of the Locality of Mellieha (see Figure 1). Figure 1: Location of site DESCRIPTION OF SITE Access 2. Cirkewwa South Point can be accessed from the road leading to the Gozo Ferry at Marfa Point. There are two access points to the South Point area. One is fairly easy to reach whilst the other is slightly more difficult. The easier access point (E1) leads to the South Quay of the inter-island ferry link, which is located to the immediate east of the dive site and access from which requires a giant stride. To get to the other access point (E2) one has to pass over an uneven rocky surface (see Figure 2). 1

8 Figure 2: Access point E2 Land use 3. The surrounding area is a mainly known for its ferry terminal facilities and related activities connecting Malta and Gozo. The area is also popular with tourists due to the bathing facilities present and due to the presence of a holiday resort. The area is also much sought after by anglers; it also reserves some eceptional views of the south cliffs of Gozo and the Qammieh area. 4. Ample informal parking space is available in the area, including an etensive area dedicated to the parking of divers vehicles. This space is shared with the users of the other Cirkewwa dive sites. The south quay itself is also used for parking since this quay is only used by the ferry service when weather conditions make it impossible for the north quay to be used. 5. The area has public toilets and a food and beverage outlet within walking distance. Site Usage 6. In 2005, a survey carried out by Adi Associates among dive schools did not identify any usage patterns at this dive site. 7. Based on the online questionnaire undertaken for the Master Plan, Cirkewwa South Point (referred to as Paradise Bay in the survey after the adjacent hotel) was ranked overall the 14 th most popular dive, see Table 1. Table 1: Rankings for Cirkewwa South Point (Mellieha) Overall popularity 14 th Overall shore dive 13 th Overall dive eperience 11 th Novice divers 5 th Eperienced divers 25 th Best wreck dive 30 th Best technical dive 37 th Best cave dive 25 th Best marine life 11 th 2

9 Eisting facilities 8. The site itself offers some facilities for divers apart from the informal parking areas. The nearest fuel filling station is found at Mellieha, more than 2 km away from the site. The closest dive centre is located at the nearby Paradise Bay Hotel. 9. Entry point E1 is located on the south quay. The site is used for parking when not in use by the ferry service. 10. Entry point E2 is located around 100m from the parking area. To get to E2 one requires walking over uneven surfaces. 11. The site needs some maintenance; litter encountered deteriorated the quality of the area and protruding iron rods from the rocks can be a hazard. 12. Figure 3 shows the location of the eisting facilities. 13. Further details on this dive site are available in the Data Card in Anne 1. PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS 14. Some interventions are required at this site to improve it for diving purposes. It must be emphasised that most dive-related facilities can double-up for use by other recreational users, e.g. swimmers, etc. The proposed interventions are shown in Figure 4 and include: Provision of bins; Provision of signage; Provision of a kitting-up area; Installation of a new CCTV system; Cleaning the area and better landscaping; and Provision of a stainless steel ladder at entry point E1. 3

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11 Figure 3: Eisting facilities 5

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13 Figure 4: Proposed interventions 7

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15 Permit requirements 15. The entire list of interventions required to upgrade this Dive Site is reproduced in Table 2 below. It must be noted that some of these interventions may require development permission, and hence cannot be considered quick interventions but nonetheless are important components of the upgraded product and should be pursued with a view to being implemented as soon as possible. The locations for the proposed interventions are shown in Figure 4. Detailed engineering proposals, complete with drawings, are outside the scope of this Master Plan but will be required before specific interventions are implemented. 16. Although some of the interventions require development permission, most of the minor interventions directly linked to the dive site per se do not, and can so be implemented immediately. Subject to MEPA s agreement, a number of these proposals may be allowed through the Development Notification Order (DNO) process. Table 2 identifies the permissions required for the various interventions proposed. Table 2: Permit requirements Reference Intervention Permits required E1 Provision of bin. Permitted development. No DNO or DPA required. Why? Although the proposed bin/s are located ODZ, Class 4-1(2) of the DNO deems such small scale infrastructure as permitted development, in situations where the infrastructure falls within an eisting parking area or carriageway. Provision of signage. As above. Provision of a stainless steel ladder. As above. Provision of life-saving equipment. As above. Provision of kitting-up area. As above. E2 Provision of bin. As above. Provision of signage. As above. Cleaning and landscaping area None. If proposals involve clearing site of litter and debris. Landscaping may require DPA. Install security cameras. Permitted Development. No DNO or DPA required. Why? - Class 2(1)(vii) defines the fiing of surveillance cameras, security equipment, and other similar small-scale equipment, as permitted development in areas that are ODZ, provided it is aesthetically compatible with its surroundings. If it is to be effected in a UCA or ODZ, it is not conspicuously finished in unpainted metal (including gold, silver or bronze aluminium) or other visually intrusive coloration. 9

16 Timing and Priorities 17. The priorities set out below are specific for this dive site. Before implementing any interventions, the current popularity and the potential of the dive site need to be considered so that precedence is given to the highest ranking sites. 18. Since most of the interventions proposed do not require permission, they can be carried out immediately. The interventions are prioritised in Table The priority ranking is based on the importance of the intervention in providing: A safe and hazard-free environment; Improved facilities that would facilitate the sport and enhance the diving eperience; and An improved and visibly upgraded environment. Table 3: Prioritised interventions Reference Intervention Priority E1 Provision of bins. Medium Provision of signage. Low Provision of a stainless steel ladder. High Provision of life-saving equipment. High Provision of kitting-up area. High E2 Provision of bins. Medium Provision of signage. Low Cleaning and landscaping area High Install security cameras. High 10

17 CONCLUSION 20. This report has outlined the interventions required to upgrade the onshore facilities for the Cirkewwa South Point dive site. These interventions would bring about a visible improvement to the Site; however, it must be pointed out that the approaches to the dive site (subject of this report) are only one aspect of the dive eperience (albeit an important one that gives the tourist the first impression of the site). Equally important are the underwater environment and the quality of the dive itself. 21. The quality of the underwater environment can be improved by: Undertaking regular monitoring of the sea bed to identify interventions that need to be made; Undertaking regular clean-ups of the sea bed (and providing adequate waste disposal containers on shore to promote safe and proper disposal of waste); Establishing some form of management structure for the site (this can be amalgamated with other sites in the vicinity); and Controlling fishing activity in the area. 22. It is also important that any new facilities provided are constructed of appropriate materials that can endure the harsh conditions of the marine environment, and that the facilities, and the general area, are regularly maintained to ensure that the efforts made are enjoyed in the long term. To this end, a maintenance programme that covers all the dive sites should be put in place and performance standards and criteria established to ensure that the right service is being delivered. 11

18 Anne 1 Data card

19 MALTA DIVING MASTER PLAN On-Shore Facilities Inventory of Malta Dive Sites Ref. No. MDS 013 Dive Site: Cirkewwa South Point Locality: Mellieha Current Status: NIL Proposed Status: Officially designated Dive Site Nearest village: Mellieha Boat Dive Shore Dive Distance to nearest village: Distance to nearest Police Station: Distance to nearest Health Centre: Distance to nearest diving school / air filling station Within 500m Within 1km Within 2 km Over 2 km Within 500m Within 1km Within 2 km Over 2 km Within 500m Within 1km Within 2 km Over 2 km Within 500m Within 1km Within 2 km Over 2 km Distance to nearest fuel / service station: Within 500m Within 1km Within 2 km Over 2 km Approach Roads: Arterial Road Distributor Road Local Access Road Other Road / Track Off-road Parking Area: Available Formal Informal Dedicated parking spaces for divers Against payment Free of Charge Facilities available on site: Telephone Toilets Showers Life-saving post First Aid Post Site information

20 MALTA DIVING MASTER PLAN On-Shore Facilities Inventory of Malta Dive Sites Ref. No. MDS 013 Telephones On site Within 100m Within 500m Within 1 km Over 1 km Mobile Reception None Poor Intermittent Good Very Good Bars/Refreshments Areas: Security features on site: None On site Within 100m Within 500m Within 1 km Over 1 km Site cleanliness: Presence of tar residue Animal waste Small litter Medium Litter Large Litter Mooring facilities: None (anchoring) Single point moorings Tie-up buoys Managed moorings Pontoons Quays Suggested level of diving qualification / eperience: Beginner Open Water Advanced Open Water Technical Presence of Onshore Hazards: Yes No Type of Hazard: Sharp rocks Slippery Surfaces Uneven surfaces Accumulated litter Unsuitable structures Other Hazard information Protruding iron Number (and name) of entry/eit points: 2 E1 - Quay E2 - Rock pool

21 MALTA DIVING MASTER PLAN On-Shore Facilities Inventory of Malta Dive Sites Ref. No. MDS 013 Entry/Eit Point: Distance of parking area to entry point: E1 - Quay <5m 5-20m 21-40m 41-70m m >100m Access to water: Stairs Giant stride from Quay/Rock Slope Slipway Ladder Walkway Rocks Eit Points: Rocks Rock-cut steps Hand Rails Slope Slipway Ladder Steps Entry/Eit Point: Distance of parking area to entry point: E1 - Quay <5m 5-20m 21-40m 41-70m m >100m Access to water: Stairs Giant stride from Quay/Rock Slope Slipway Ladder Walkway Rocks Eit Points: Rocks Rock-cut steps Hand Rails Slope Slipway Ladder Steps