Updated | Environment a priority in identifying land reclamation sites, ministry says

Updated at 3.30pm with Xghajra mayor reaction

An investigation of potential sites for land reclamation will be completed next year, the Environment Minister said.

José Herrera has confirmed that the identification of potential sites for land reclamation by the Environment and Resource Authority (ERA) was at an “advanced stage”.

He said that “various sites” were being considered along the coast of Malta and Gozo.

On Sunday MaltaToday revealed that an extensive area of seabed between Xghajra and Portomoso in St Julians has been identified for large scale land reclamation projects while five other sites were identified for smaller or medium sized projects.

A spoil ground off Xghajra already used for the dumping of construction waste, the Mgarr harbour in Gozo, the Bugibba waterfront, the Marsaxlokk harbour and Qalet Marku in Bahar ic-Caghaq have been identified for smaller or medium sized projects.

The information was included in a memo issued by ERA seen by MaltaToday.

According to Herrera, the report will be concluded early next year and subsequently “presented to the relevant stakeholders,” with the aim of contributing to a national policy on land reclamation.

The aim of the report will be to outline the potential sites that fit within environmental parameters, like disturbance to protected areas on land through new road infrastructure and protecting marine habitats like Posidonia meadows, which are protected by EU law.  

Posidonia meadows are found mainly between St Julians and the north of Gozo. This includes part of the Xghajra to Portomaso site identified for large scale reclamation in the ERA presentation.

Xghajra mayor opposes land reclamation

Anthony Valvo, the mayor of Xghajra, has insisted that neither he nor the council were consulted on the site identification exercise undertaken by ERA.

In a Facebook post he said the council had opposed similar plans in 2006. "I will do all I can to ensure that Xghajra does not suffer another setback like it did with the sewage treatment plant," Valvo promised residents.

He said government exponents had assured him that the land reclamation report was prepared by ERA and was not official government policy.