Proposals for Wied Il-Buni Options being considered for proposal for the Ministry of Infrastructure to be taken up with Transport Malta following the extension of Terminal 1 by Malta Freeport Corporation. The operation of the terminal extension has encroached on existing mooring berths in the area, prompting harbour authorities to request their reallocation. Voting should indicate preference to one option (Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3) Option 1 Resist developments and refuse to move moorings. Residents and owners believe that the decision to extend Freeport activities in the direction of Birzebbuga is not aligned with the expectations of the large majority of residents, mooring owners and businesses in the locality. The development was not approved within the norms of normal planning procedures, and required the express approval of cabinet on the basis that the extension of the Freeport was required to safeguard national interest. The national interest that can accrue from the development can only be of an economic nature, and to date there is no evidence that the hardship endured by the community in Birżebbuġa will accrue a corresponding national benefit. The absence of an adequate socio-economic impact assessment for the development undermines seriously the claim of national interest which was the basis of the decision taken by the previous administration. Thus residents feel that it is legitimate to claim for additional constraints on the operations of the extension of terminal 1, such as the nature and time of operations that can be carried out.
Option 2 propose the development of a mooring site with pontoons. This option needs to be sheltered from north easterly gales if located in Wied il-buni, and south easterly gales if located in Qajjenza. Should this option be developed it would be more appropriate to build a breakwater which will extend the area presently available for moorings in San Gorg towars Qajjenza or San Gorg.
Option 3 / Phase 1 Extract from the development permit PA 03368/05 39. The social impact resulting from the removal of certain mooring buoys could be mitigated to result in an insignificant impact to the boat owners currently using the buoys if the Malta Maritime Authority, possibly at the cost of the Applicant, installs managed moorings between Terminal One and Pretty Bay. Assuming the buoys will be relocated to an area that does not interfere with the Sailing Club activities, relocation will result in a minor beneficial impact on Sailing Club members and the pleasure craft owners that moor their craft in the area. It is also noted that the changes to the spur at the mouth of the Bay are likely to afford a greater degree of shelter to the small craft. In line with the conditions of the development permit we are proposing a new managed mooring site which is organised along the length of the berm, outside the swimmers zone, and including the area indicated as outside the dredging area plan to the south of the berm. The location of the moorings sea floor anchor should be the responsibility of Transport Malta, and paid by the development applicant, while the mooring rope, chain and float could be the responsibility of the owners. This arrangement could be extended to the area in front of the water polo pitch. This phase should be agreed by October completed.
Option 3 / Phase 2 Boat owners in the area further propose extending the existing underwater berm to 1 meter above sea level to provide better rough sea protection and remove the navigational hazard introduced by the berm to yachts which have a draught in excess of 3 meters which frequently call to the bay for temporary shelter during the summer months. This bern should be extended to the shoreline to protect swimmers and moorings from silt movement and bywash from assisting tugs. Mooring operations during Freepoort operations performed during 2013 have shown that the swimming zones available need protection from silt movement to continue to be viable.
Option 3 / Phase 2 propose the development of new safe harbours in Birżebbuġa Bay Extracts from MARSAXLOKK BAY LOCAL PLAN - APPROVED Authority - 20th January 1995 by the Planning MC 02 - The Planning Authority will encourage investments from both the private and public sectors for improvement and embellishment of the urban seafront and the provision of appropriate facilities for recreation. This is subject to Structure Plan Policies on Coastal Areas. MP04 - Apart from the Freeport and Power Station area the main waterfront zones will be dedicated to; (1) leisure use (Birzebbuga, St. George's Bay) (2) their "natural" state (St. Lucian Peninsula) (3) fishing related uses and boat repair (Marsaxlokk). Applications for development which are incompatible with these uses will be refused. MQ01 - Ix-Xatt ta' San Gorg (between Triq iz-zejtun and Ferretti Battery) is to be developed for a wide range of leisure and recreational facilities as follows; i. A small yacht marina is to be provided off the coast. This will be subject to the outcome of a feasibility study, including an environmental impact analysis and full consultation with the Malta Maritime Authority. ii. Unused buildings along Triq Cachia Zammit and ix-xatt ta' San Gorg are to be rehabilitated and reused for residential use. iii. Ferretti Battery is to be restored and re-used for commercial/leisure uses, (for example cafeteria, restaurant, boat hire). iv. A promenade is to be provided from Triq iz-zejtun up to Ferretti Battery and beyond. v. Commercial activities will be permitted from the lower floor of buildings along Xatt ta' San Gorg. vi. A single vehicle carriageway is to be provided along the shore allowing one-way traffic from Qajjenza towards Birzebbuga. The carriageway will be designed such that pedestrians will be given priority. vii. A suitably designed garden including possibly some facilities for children's play is to be provided in the vacant land behind Ferretti Battery.
MQ03 - The site currently used for the L.P.G. plant will be considered for i. residential use ii. some commercial use such as bars and restaurants iii. area for small boat storage/minor maintenance No residential or commercial development will be permitted until a site is identified, and starts operating as a boat storage yard. The area of boat storage yard should be at least ¾ hectare. Industrial use will not be acceptable. Early consultation with the Authority on any residential proposals will be required. MQ4 - The Planning Authority, in conjunction with Works Division and the Local Council will draw up an improvement scheme, including the provision of a promenade, for the waterfront at Il-Qajjenza from the L.P.G. depot to Ferretti Battery. Some land reclamation will be required. A site for a public slipway will be identified. Refer to:mc02, MQ01, MQ03. The eventual removal of the L.P.G. depot will increase the attractiveness of he waterfront and will enable the upgrading of this area to be examined. A promenade here will also allow limited commercial facilities such as an open air cafeteria to be considered, helping to defray the construction costs of the promenade itself. Policy MQ01 envisages the eventual redevelopment of the L.P.G. site mainly for housing and storage area for small boats. Malta generally lacks adequate public slipway facilities and this area is a suitable location. The scheme should take into account proposals for L.P.G. site as per policy MQ03. The current site is now established as part of the existing built-up area and does not intrude into the St. Lucian Peninsula. It has an impressive waterfront location and is appropriate for residential development. There exists a great demand in Birzebbuga and Marsaxlokk for sites where small boats can be stored during the winter and where some minor boat maintenance can take place. Part of the area can be used as a boat-trailer depot. This will relieve congestion caused by trailers on the road network. The Authority expects boundary planting and landscape treatment to be considered as part of the overall design of the site, and not added as an afterthought. The linking of the site to a small slipway and an area for small boat moorings is desirable. Therefore, the proposal is to be related to a scheme for waterfront improvements as per policy MQ04. Although the structure plan contemplated a number of developments which contribute to positive development of the area in the areas of Qajjenza and San Gorg, to date no such development has materialised except for the removal of the L.P.G. depot. This imbalance needs to be remedied in the short to medium term as the areas are progressively becoming structurally neglected and depressed. There is substantial rational for the location of a substantial sized marina in the Qajjenza / San Gorg area which will greatly embellish the social and economic potential of the area. This development requires further effort to organise better recreational mooring facilities which have the potential of attracting the same level of interest and economic development currently enjoyed in Marsaxlokk. There are today 1000 boats moored in the area of Birzebbuga, of which only 250 are within any form of appropriate organised management plan, with around 350 having the appropriate mooring permit. The new facilities will be complimented by a comprehensive management mooring plan which will ensure efficient management both for the moorings and associated land based services which need to be developed. They can also include the installation of pontoons if there are infrastructural developments, such as breakwaters, that make this possible. The areas with potential for growth are listed in Option 2 above. The association recognizes that should the authorities feel that the infrastructural developments are feasible and beneficial, it would offer it s support and assistance in the definition of a strong and viable management plan that makes efficient use of resources made available while limiting to the extent possible abuse or misuse of the facilities. The Birżebbuġa recreational boat owners association is thus offering its assistance in the definition, implementation and if required management of facilities related to all aspects of recreational boating.