Paceville public meeting irks Labour councillors

Labour party  representatives on the St Julians Local Council and the Paceville administrative committee "categorically disassociated" themselves from a  public meeting organised by Kamp Emergenza Ambjent and the St Julians Local council held in the Milennium chapel last Friday describing it as  one sided.  Labour councillors did not attend the meeting.

In a statement the Labour councillors claimed that the the meeting was turned in to "a meeting of opposition to the project" and decreed the participation of   "only groups who are opposed to the project."  The meeting which was advertised wasannounced in the social media and was open to everyone.  But the Labour councillors insisted that the meeting was meant "to create alarm" among Paceville residents.

In a statement the St Julians Local council explained that all Paceville residents were invited to the meeting through a circular.  The meeting was also announced in announcements read in church (as is the case with other local council activities). The Planning Authority was also invited to participate but none of its representatives attended. The council had asked the Planning Authority to hold a public consultation for residents and the public meeting was only held because no such meeting was held.

The position of Labour councillors in St Julians contrasted with the position taken by Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manche who actively participated in public protests organised by Kamp Emergenza Ambjent with regards to access to the foreshore at Manoel Island.

The Labour councillors also welcomed the masterplan praising the government's commitment to improve the environment in the area and to give "added value to the natural and historical environment" in this zone.  The councillors referred to infrastructural improvements and the creation of new public spaces but made no reference to proposed land reclamation on the Portomaso foreshore and the impact of high-rise developments proposed in various areas including the foreshore.

During the meeting St Julian’s deputy mayor, Albert Buttigieg insisted that the council was not opposed to a masterplan for Paceville as long it was sustainable and did not lead the locality to ruin.

The meeting was attended by around 200 people, with many residents – Maltese and foreigners – expressing their disbelief and anguish at many of the proposals included in the master plan.

One of the most contentious issues discussed was the expropriation of private residences and businesses which, according to the plan, stand to be handed over private companies for re-development, when expropriation usually involved property taken over by government or for public use. 

The local council will be discussing the masterplan next Thursday in an official meeting during which it will be taking  an official position on the proposed developments.