| ...An advert appeared in the winter edition of the British Airways in-flight magazine Mediterranean Life. The full colour advert claimed that the Verdala Mansions are the only "golf residence" on the islands. According to the advert, the mansions "enjoy breath-taking scenery overlooking a world class golf course, where membership is waived for residents and watch the sunrise from your living room." Alternattiva has filed a complaint with the British Advertising Standards AuthorityAX Holdings is offering for sale goods and services not yet authorised to be sold. And yet the Planning Authority has said nothing. Nor has the government. On the subject of golf courses in general, Tourism Minister Michael Refalo told The Malta Independent on Sunday that the "government is strongly in favour, as long as they don't harm the environment. It sees golf courses as an important tool to increase off-season tourism." He said Malta is lagging behind other Mediterranean countries including Sicily, Italy, Tunisia, and Spain which all have golf courses. "I can't tell the PA what to decide, but we're telling them to hurry up with the processing of applications for golf courses." Minister Refalo said the government was aware there were difficulties of space on a small island, but it was nonsense to say that golf courses were not environmentally friendly in general. Asked what his ministry's position was on the Verdala golf course, Dr Refalo said he was unable to comment on individual applications. On the other hand Labour opposes the Verdala golf course "because it would destroy scarce agricultural land, deplete natural water sources in the area, deprive farmers of their livelihood, and destroy the fauna and flora in the area," says Labour representative on the PA, Joe Mizzi. Mr Mizzi told The Malta Independent on Sunday: "We accept that Malta might need a golf course for winter tourism, but we think this should be developed on a derelict site such as the landfill at Maghtab". Joe Mizzi has said he will vote against the golf course project. Will he be the only one? Arguments for the Golf Course - AX Holdings � No good quality agricultural land is being sacrificed in Rabat. � Only 30 per cent of the land in question is to be used for the golf course, the remaining 70 per cent will still be used by farmers to cultivate vineyards as well as traditional agricultural produce. � The farmers against the golf course amount to only 70 and most are part-timers. Most farmers will continue working in the area. � More profitable crops will be introduced, guaranteeing a better annual yield than they get today. � The project will only make use of water sources which currently are untapped and going to waste. � The Rabat golf course will make use of organic farming methods and biodegradable products. Rubble walls will be restored. � The golf course will provide a haven for bird life. Arguments against the Golf Course - Front Against the Golf Course � Malta is too small to give up a piece of land as big as Sliema to a few golf dilettantes. � It provides work for 150 farmers. Initially a number had agreed to leave the land under pressure, but eventually changed their minds. A number of farmers are prepared to swear under oath that their signatures were falsified. � Golf courses consume 1.8 million cubic metres of water a year more than is consumed by 11,000 persons. � The PA threw it out at first. � Golf is not the ideal sport for Malta since we lack land. Scuba diving makes more sense. � In other Mediterranean countries like Greece with similar climates it was found that after eight years golf courses are ruined because of the climate, the excessive use of water to keep them green and pesticides. � To grow turf on a golf course you have to obliterate all other organisms: animals and plants. � There is already some organic farming in the area and more projects by farmers in the pipe-line. � The fields of Verdala have protected fauna. Among them the weasel, an animal protected by law that is in danger of becoming extinct. The Front against the Golf Course is made up of:The Association of Progressive Farmers; The Environmental Movement (Friends of the Earth Malta); Graffiti; Nature Trust; Alternattiva Demokratika; ECO, the Malta Ecological Foundation; Zminijietna; Pembroke Residents Association; The Vegetarian Association. The Malta Independent on Sunday asked Anglu Xuereb, the chairman of AX Holdings the questions: "Why are you advertising the golf course when the application is still pending before the PA? How is it you are so sure of being granted a permit when there are so many objections?" Mr Xuereb chose not to answer the questions. |
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