New Dwejra park manager expected to organise boathouse area

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has issued a tender for the appointment of a managing body for the Qawra/Dwejra Heritage Park.

One of the problems facing the new management is the existence of two categories of boathouses standing next to each other.

While scores of boathouses were completely legalised a few days before the elections, others had their permits turned down in the past months.

The new managing board will also draft a new Management Plan for the Park.

Ironically, it was a similar management plan approved in 2005, which paved to the sanctioning of illegal boathouses before the election. But the present board has ignored the plan when refusing similar applications in the new area.

The new manager will be given 15 months to organise the boathouse area through “consultation with boathouse owners.”

The manager will also have to eliminate a number of slipways and concrete patches in front of boathouses.

Other tasks which have to be carried out include a scheme for tourist-boat operators, the identification of at least four terrestrial nature trails and two boat-trips that provide an interesting experience to the visitor, the installation of signage and adequate fencing to control trampling, provide suitable parking facilities for coaches and organise the parking area at il-Pjazza tad-Dwejra.

A considerable part of the park area is included in the EU’s Natura 2000 network, while the marine area has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation of International Importance in 2010.

The park is administrated by a Management Board, which includes representatives of MEPA, government and NGOs. The Managing Body of the Park, to whom this tender will be awarded, will act as the executive arm of the Board.