| Land �the size of Sliema� will be lost to golf course Staff Reporter www.independent.com.mt Environmental campaigners yesterday, claimed the proposed Rabat golf course will use up farming land the size of Sliema. Moviment Graffitti and Alternattiva Demokratika urged planning chiefs to throw out a bid to build an 18-hour course near Verdala, accusing the developers of a �greenwash�. �One needs to keep in mind that since 1957, Malta has lost two kilometres squared of agricultural land every year,� said Chris Ellul of Moviment Graffitti. �Water in Malta is very scarce, and the golf course would consume several thousand cubic metres of water which can easily be used for agriculture. �The developers, AX Holdings, claim the project will employ about 200 workers, but were short on explaining how this will take place,� said Mr Ellul. AX Holdings chairman Anglu Xuereb launched a public exhibition last week, explaining the golf course proposals at the St James Cavalier Centre in Valletta. He insisted that the development would boost the Maltese economy, create 200 jobs, and increase tourist spending in Malta. But Green Party chairman Harry Vassallo yesterday stressed that the environmental cost of the development was too much. He said: �The environment impact assessment shows that the proposal should be rejected as it will cause negative impacts on the agricultural land in the area and will cause major negative social effects on the farmers. It also states that the golf course proposal violates the structure plan and the international agreement between the Maltese government and the Vatican.� �The Planning Authority Directorate had already recommended outright refusal of the golf course proposal, as it violates Malta�s structure plan. Should the course be approved, the role of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would be reduced to that of a rubber-stamp committee,� Dr Vassallo added. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna has agreed with AX Holdings to monitor the development of the golf course on environmental grounds. But the organisation�s decision has infuriated Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti, and Alternattiva Demokratika. AD environment spokesman Mark Causon said: �Many environmental, social, religious and political organisations oppose the development of the golf course, these include Din l-Art Helwa, Progressive Farmers� Union, Nature Trust, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, The Ecological Foundation, Pembroke Residents� Association, Inizjamed, International Animal Rescue and others. �Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna stands out like a sore thumb. Perhaps this is not surprising as it benefits from sponsorship by AX Holdings. This is a greenwash.� Mr Ellul, of Moviment Graffitti agreed: �The fact that Wirt Artna are supporting Mr Xuereb, with regards to the golf course, doesn�t mean that the project is an environmentally-friendly one. AX Holdings has repeatedly sponsored heftily the activities of this organisation in the past. �On the other hand, there are 13 organisations, who are members of Front Against the Golf Course as well as numerous supporters that have been opposing the project for a long time,� he added. |
 |
 |