The Committee for Sustainability at the University of Malta (C-SUM) has just published good tips which can apply to everyone:
Turn off air conditioners and lighting when a room is vacant unless it will be reoccupied within the next few minutes.
Block direct sunlight on hot days and keep windows and doors closed, otherwise air conditioners need to consume much more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Keep the AC to an appropriate temperature setting, typically not below 23 degrees C for cooling. Set the fan to automatic and the flaps directed towards you. Consider that every additional degree of cooling requires some 6% higher energy consumption.
When there are multiple AC units in the same space avoid setting the AC mode of any of the units to Auto and ensure that all ACs within the same room are set to the same mode (cooling or heating).
Close water taps completely after use.
Use the appropriate half or full flush buttons in the toilets.
Set the power options of the PCs to save energy. For example set turn off monitor after 20 minutes, sleep after 1 hour, hibernate after 2 hours. Note that as most PCs on Campus are powered through the University UPSs, the resultant power consumption is even higher due to losses within the UPS systems.
Minimise the use of printers by using soft copies of documents when possible. This conserves energy, saves paper, reduces ink/toner consumption and any associated ultrafine particle emissions.
In our first installment about the Magħluq’s fish fauna, we had talked about the common eel. In this second episode, we will be talking about 2 fish. One is the killifish; probably the fish that is most commonly associated with the Magħluq area.
The other is the seabass; another fish that habitates the area.
The information is again brought to our portal by Mr. Rio Sammut, who we thank for his valuable input.
Rounded body covered in big scales: large eyes; short mouth deflected upwards; single dorsal fin set at mid-point of the back; anal fin bigger than pectorals; fan tail, truncated and slightly convex; the male is smaller and yellow or greyish-green with blue areas and about twelve dark vertical bands across the sides; the female is 10% larger and more greyish, with alternating narrower and shorter black stripes.
Habits:
The Maltese Killifish is an endemic sub-species. It used to be extremely abundant in brackish water, occasionally penetrating into the seawater inside bays, especially following torrential rainfall and consequent flooding. It feeds on small organic scraps, mosquito larvae, and minute crustaceans and copepods. Being a carnivorous predator it must not be kept in a community aquarium, but only with others of its own kind. Its numbers have declined alarmingly in the last two decades and it is now an endangered species. If any specimens are collected for a period of study in a suitable fish tank, they should be released exactly where they had been found within the week.
Dicentrarchus labrax : Seabass (Spnotta in Maltese)
The sea-basses belong to a small family of elongated grey fishes that superficially resemble grey mullets. They are heavily built powerful predators that live near the coastline and often associate themselves with schools of grey mullets. When young they are gregarious and visit bays and harbours in shoals, looking for small fishes that they attack and devour mercilessly. They have two distinct dorsal fins, the first spiny and fan-shaped, and the second with one spine followed by a number of soft rays. There are three spines leading the anal fin and the tail fin is somewhat forked. The head, eyes and mouth are all moderately sized.
Max. length: 1m
Max. weight: 9kg
Characteristics:
A powerful stocky body, circular in cross section; conspicuous eyes; well developed strong jaws lined with fine teeth on the inside, the lower jaw protruding a little; the first gill cover has some spines on the lower edge and the second has no ridges; well attached, big cycloid scales cover the skin; the fins are short-based and well balanced, the tail fin is forked with a thick peduncle; dark brownish-grey on the back, with silvery-grey sides and almost white metallic belly.
Habits:
The European species inhabits the western Atlantic coasts, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. This handsome fish travels during daytime from coast to coast, penetrating inshore waters to prey on small or young fishes, sand-eels, squids and crustaceans. Actually it attempts to swallow anything that moves, in fact the author has personally found a bird chick, a number of large flying ants, pieces of dead sea grass, and a bite of pizza, inside Seabass stomachs!
The young frequent bays and inlets and consume more invertebrates than adult fish do. The Seabass is a hardy fish found at all sorts of seabeds and even in brackish waters. When the sea is rough the adults are to be found at the surf zone, close to the shoreline, attacking the confused smaller fishes. This habit makes the Bass a favourite sporting fish, well known for the tenderness of its scrumptious white flesh.
This bass is bred and farmed extensively since it is a fast growing fish and very hardy. It is exquisite to eat, especially when it gets away from the fish farms and feeds on a natural diet for a week or more.
This fish may be found inside the Maghluq (fish ponds) of Marsaskala (Malta) It belongs there naturally, but is a threat to the killifish, being a predator. Together with the killifish, eels, and hundreds of other vertebrates and invertebrates, its numbers are always diminishing, mainly due to toxic chemicals leaching into the ponds from the Sant Antnin Recycling Plant as well as fertiliser farming and firework fallout.
Well, that’s rather disappointing, to say the least. Following this morning’s Environment and Planning Review Tribunal meeting (more info on the meeting here and more info on the politically appointed EPRT here), developers have been given 30 days to present a method statement aimed at “minimising” damage caused by the Jerma site to Marsaskala’s coastline.
As reported on MaltaToday, “While confirming the legality of an enforcement issued by the Planning Authority against developers in which it decried the state of abandonment of the Jerma site, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal has modified the notice giving developers more lee-way in addressing the situation.“
In its decision, the tribunal insisted that due to the large size of the development, the extent of the damage, and its location on the coast, the original enforcement notice implementing the enforcement notice as originally issued (i.e. removal of the ‘damage’ within 16 days) veered on the impossible.
And that’s it folks. No mention of penalties, no discussion of what measures to mitigate/reduce the damage would be considered to be ‘satisfactory’ by the EPRT; in short, little accountability, if any at all.
To be clear, this is a step forward for Marsaskala residents. At the very least, the irresponsible owners are now obliged to actually propose measures and presumably carry them out eventually, rather than just leaving the site as it is. However, the Tribunal’s change in wording (a good chunk of the 18-page document outlining the decision is dedicated to explaining the difference between ‘mitigation’ and ‘removal’ of the abandoned building) means that developers are NOT obliged to dismantle the building, as the PA originally requested. We’ll keep you updated – more on this next month.
In August 2016 the Planning Authority issued an enforcement order against Jerma site owners Jeffrey and Peter Montebello, requiring that the “injury to amenity” be addressed after years of complaints by the local council and residents over the dangerous state of the site.
Two years later, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal upheld an appeal by the owners and annulled this enforcement order. In the latest twist to the sage, the PA went to court to appeal the decision of the EPRT and won it.
Today, at 13:00, the EPRT will discuss the matter again and hopefully decide in favour of the residents, considering that everyone (including the owners) agrees that Jerma must be demolished.
Thursday being a normal day of work and with only 24 hours previous notice, was not highly conductive to expect a good number of volunteers in an organised clean-up session for Il-Magħluq. It turned out that Rio and Marianne from our group Marsascala Community & Friends were the only two who could make it. Admittedly not the most able-bodied within the community, but well, we did our very best.
James Gabaretta from Nature Trust and a few of his younger colleagues transmitted the energy needed to immediately roll up our sleeves. We were provided with gloves, huge brooms, garbage bags and spade. A good amount of plastic and rubble was swept and collected, an unsightly skip removed, large stones were turned into seats and in less than a couple of hours we could look back and appreciate the now clear space which made the area look much cleaner and bigger. We had a couple of visitors asking us what we were doing, and showed their appreciation. It was a good advert for our group. Ducks came along too. Admittedly cute, but in no way did they help us in our venture. In fact, unfortunately, il-Maghluq is certainly not the place for them as they contribute very negatively to the area in many ways.
Answering our question with regards dredging the waters, which was in the news only a few days before, our high hopes were instantly lowered when we were told that although permits were issued, it wouldn’t be until a year, or maybe more, before the work would really start. The media does not help when it raises people’s expectations and promises are not delivered until months or even years later. Hence the negative effect on people’s morale and the perception that nothing ever gets done. Perhaps an explanation to the public about how things will be conducted will be in order.
We are happy that our group was, at least, represented. We certainly would appreciate better timing next time so that more of us may be able to participate in further improving several areas around Marsaskala. Clean-up sessions are just one way of participating. More ideas from the general public through our website and/or facebook page are always welcomed and much appreciated.
An article published yesterday on MaltaToday speaks about the killifish re-population in the Marsaskala marshlands, known as il-Magħluq. Killifish is not the only fish fauna to inhabit the Magħluq area. Here is some very interesting information about the common eel, brought to our portal by Mr. Rio Sammut.
Here is some info about the common eel; a predator found in the Magħluq of Marsaskala. It is a natural inhabitant of the fishpond as much as the killifish.
70. Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus) E. Common European Eel I. Anguilla Europea M. Sallura
Max length: 1.4m
Max. weight: 3kg
Characteristics: Typical elongated body with a smallish head; inconspicuous pair of eyes set over the mouth; large jaws, lower slightly longer than upper; minute concealed scales making the skin proverbially slippery; the dorsal fin starts far back and blends with the caudal and anal fins all around the tail end; may be silvery grey or yellowish above with a white underside.
Elvers are called leptocephali and appear small, leaf-like, and transparent, with a minute head.
Habits: The adults slip gracefully and effortlessly between rocks and weeds at the bottom of shallow water. They often conceal themselves in rock crevices, or in soft mud, with only their head exposed, expecting any small creature to pass by and be devoured. They occur quite frequently in all muddy inlets.
The elvers start life in the Sargasso Sea and swim thousands of kilometres across the ocean while feeding and growing into the adult shape. The journey may take up to three years. On arrival at inshore waters the young eels swim up streams or rivers to find a fresh water lake or pond where to spend the greater part of their adult life, about seven years for males and twelve years for females. On approaching sexual maturity they migrate back to the sea for spawning. In the Mediterranean Sea there are seventeen similar species. The Common Eel is edible and so it is extensively fish-farmed in many countries.
Marsaskala Community & Friends would like to thank Mr. Sammut for his contribution. Should you be interested in more information about this topic, you may check out his book entitled “Mediterranean Sea Fishes – (Central Region)“.
54 residents filled in our survey regarding Waste
Collection in Marsaskala.
This review analyzes responses given and presents
to you tips and (possible) solutions, some of which have been presented by participants
of our survey.
75.9% of respondents find that the current schedule meets their requirements, 22.2% respond in the negative, and 1.9% do not (yet) know. The reactions we received reveal opportunities for improvement.
Main issues reported
Many residents anger themselves at the apparent inability and/ or unwillingness of some to adher to collection schedule
Various residents have witnessed a number of “so-called temporary residents” and tourists leave their bags outside on the wrong day and / or in the wrong place. Despite being friendly informed that Malta dictates otherwise, these “visitors” just shrugged their shoulders and did nothing to correct their behaviour.
Others angered themselves at some people’s seeming inability to stick to schedule and or contents /bag.
Tip: One respondent took charge of the block where he/she lives, hanging up the collection schedule for all to see, and helping others get the message through.
Alternative facilities are necessary for tourists, temporary residents and residents leaving the country.
Good planning and proactivity are just as essential in this part of your vacation as they have been all along. It begins by reducing the amount of waste to be disposed off at the last moment.
When that moment arrives Malta offers you the following facilities:
Recycables (grey / green bag) can be disposed off at a civic amenity (CA) site but have to be sorted out beforehand into paper / plastic / metal / packaging. In other words the recycables cannot be disposed off in one container. Glass can also be brought to CA site.
Mixed waste (black bag) can be brought to CA site provided it does not contain any food. Note that food belongs in the organic bag!
Organic bags cannot be brought to a CA site, for this you will have to make alternative arrangements yourself like asking a neighbour or the owner of the appartment / B&B where you have stayed
Present schedule does not meet requirements
Residents with babies and cats report that their mixed waste (black) and recycable (grey/green) bags fill within a day; in other words, the present schedule does not meet their requirements.
Tip: Kindly go through the three R’s (Reduce, Re-use and Recycle) and think of possible ways you can diminish your waste: be creative and think out of the box! Report your successes to others so that they can benefit too.
Vulnerable organic bags
The organic (white) bag is flimsy and tears easily. When the white bag contains fish, meat and /or bones, cats and rats are attracted to it, tearing the white bag apart and littering the environment which in turn attracts rats and flies. Coupled with the windy weather this is an issue for both our health and our environment.
Tips:
Wrap fish/meat/bones carefully in newspapers before placing them in the white bag
Try making your own compost (wormery if you live in an appartment) and “usual” compost / “worm castings” / both if you have a garden with plenty of space. Composting will decrease your amount of organic waste, but above all, composting enriches the soil, renders plants healthier and better able to ward off disease, and can prove a rewarding hobby to self and the environment.
In the summer months residents can place “organic contents” in the deep freezer and get them out of the freezer and into the organic bag on the day of collection.
Keeping our own pavement clean especially when organic bags have spilled over or the wind has been at play is something all of us can do.
What to do with
Mixed waste that is neither small nor bulky and
A bag of garden waste when you do not own a car
Tips:
Call Marsaskala Local Council (telephone number 21637171) to avail yourself of the Bulky Refuse Service, offered free of charge. Check also https://www.wasteservmalta.com/bulkywaste
Depending on composition of your garden waste:
Rotten fruit and vegetables, fruit and vegetable peels, leaves and flowers go into the organic bag, branches do not – branches go to a Civic Amenity (CA) site.
Bundle large stems – devoid of leaves – and about one meter in length together with a string or rope. If you do not have a car or are disabled, call Marsaskala Local Council to check whether your bundle can be collected by the Bulky Refuse Service. If not try to find a neighbour or other resident who can and is willing to help you out.
Collection times irregular and inefficient Residents complain about irregular / too early / too late collection times. Going through and abiding by the tips given above will help solve some of the present issues. Where the timing is too early for you, strike an agreement with a neighbour who is willing to help you out.
Skips are in a poor state and always (over)full.
What is missing and what the remedy might be as suggested by participants:
Lately, a number of environmental “pressure” groups have been sprouting up across our lovely islands. These follow the lead of other recent, successful environmental groups such as Front Harsien ODZ and Kamp Emergenza Ambjent. In no particular order, we have heard from:
Inħobbu l-Gżira – This group is advocating for a sustainable plan for Manoel Island that benefits the whole population. This is an impression of what is at stake:
Xgħajra Seafront Interest Group – The group was re-kindled recently, after original comments about land reclamation in the past were dismissed, only to surface again now. Multiple articles published on the Times of Malta can be read here and here. James Debono also published an excellent piece on MaltaToday about why land reclamation is a bad idea. Renders of this abomination have not surfaced yet; however, here is something interesting to read on the subject from a country which unfortunately has opted to implement extensive land reclamation. The more sensible Dutch counterpart stopped reclaiming land (the Markermeer) in the Ijsselmeer because of the effect on the eels.
Save the North – The group focuses on large-scale development in the North of Malta and how these are detrimental to our life. The proposed Mistra project is one example.
This is what it would look like:
Marsaskala Community & Friends – Our own group advocates active citizenship, with the environment being one of 3 pillars that are the back-bone of the community. As the dust has temporarily settled on the Żonqor university given the troubles faced by the AuM, it is time for the Jerma relic to be in the news (again), as documented in this MaltaToday article.
This is a 3D render of what 13 to 15 storeys would look like, taken from the applicant’s Proposal for Development:
It is positive that these groups are not only working for their cause. Fund-raising organized by the Save the North group in order to appeal the Mistra project was a success, with documented donations coming from some of the above groups, hundreds of Maltese and even international contributions. Save the North is encouraging followers of their FaceBook page to attend a MEPA meeting on 7th March regarding the Manoel Island Project. Members of our own group attended the Xghajra meet-up last January 2019, where the group was objecting to possible land reclamation in the vicinity. The latter 2 groups also formally discussed possible ways to collaborate in March 2019 .
This type of collaboration is possibly one of the best ways to not only make our voices heard, but also to trigger discussion and change. When you treat behemoth development projects individually, localities and pressure groups feel stranded and many times the sensation that a decision has already been taken regarding a proposed development reigns supreme. This is well known by developers, who count on this feeling of helplessness to help them roll over any individual resistance and exploit the common good for personal gain.
It is easy to see how the general discontent of the common citizen is increasing to unprecedented levels. The people behind these groups are rarely politically affiliated. The environment belongs to us and to our children. It is sad to see how few politicians take a definite stance against any of these projects. Politicians dwell in grey, blurred lines. A favorite quote of theirs that seems to have become a motto is: “Wieħed irid jara sew l-impatt…” (One needs to closely examine the situation“). How about ‘NO’? How about plucking enough courage to tell it how it is? As much as we would like to steer away from the clichés crying foul at the pocket lining of the few at the detriment of the majority, it is the harsh reality.
A sure way to implement these projects seems to be that of proposing outrageous plans, that have no way to be approved in their original format, and then scale them down to pacify the rest of us. Well, nobody is an idiot.
Economic drive is fine, but not at this price. This is not the legacy we choose to leave to our future generations. It is the legacy that those in power are choosing to shove down our throats; cementing our mouths and the little land we have left. These groups, be they successful or not in their battles, will not be erased. “Front Kontra l-Golf Kors” (2000-2004) and “Front Kontra l-Hilton” (1994-1997), both spearheaded by Moviment Graffitti, are two examples of a won and lost battle, respectively.
Someone, somewhere in time, tried to stop this madness. We hope that, looking back, we will also be able to proudly say that we tried – and succeeded – in making Marsaskala, and other localities, a better place to live in.
Will you take a minute to object to the Jerma proposal in its current form? ALL of us are clearly in favour of demolition of the current dangerous structure – there is no question about that. The point of this objection is to influence what is done with the space left AFTER the demolition.
The monstrous 15-storey development being planned will likely bring some low-paid jobs to the area, which is positive, but it will also harm many who reside in Marsaskala. For those of you who may not be aware, this is proposal PA/04710/18:
“Proposed demolition of existing hotel and excavation of site. Proposed construction of two levels of below ground car parking facilities, a chapel, a beach lido with pool consisting of catering facilities (Class 4D) , and a mixed use development consisting of commercial spaces at ground floor (mix of Class 4C, Class 4B and Class 3C) with 12 storeys of overlying residential units (Class 1A) and a 13 storeys high hotel (Class 3B) with roof top restaurant (Class 4D) at penthouse level and outdoors pools. Extension of the landscaped area around Torri San Tumas to create a public park and construction of a Public Open space at ground floor above the proposed parking as an extension of the existing promenade.“
Some additional info: there will be a mix of 128 self-catering apartments and 250 5-star rooms. In addition, there will be another 166 residential units. It has been alleged that the residential units have been added to generate money to finance construction of the hotel, because otherwise the development would not be “financially viable”. In other words, it has been said that the owners do not currently have enough capital to independently finance the hotel itself, so the prime waterfront residential units will be sold at (presumably) sky-high prices, in an area originally meant for tourist purposes only.
We now have the opportunity to participate in the Environmental Impact Assessment being carried out. Taking part in this consultation process is important, and quick. Some points you may wish to submit are outlined below. You can do so UP TO THE 15th March, by doing the following:
1) Open a new email
2) Email address: eia.malta@era.org.mt
3) Subject line: Public Consultation re. PA/04710/18
4) Copy some or all of the text underneath the line below
5) Add your name and ID number just underneath
Thank you! The more comments, the better. Feel free to edit the text as you deem fit.
Whilst welcoming the pending demolition of the existing dangerous structure previously known as the Jerma Palace Hotel, I would like to register my concerns regarding the proposal PA/04710/18 as it currently stands, for the following reasons:
The proposal is misleading from the start, since the application refers to 12 and 13 storeys, whereas the text in the EIA refers to thirteen storeys (residential units) and 15 storeys (hotel).
Residential units: The Jerma area was granted by the Government through an act of parliament to Lafico for tourism purposes only. The inclusion of residential units in the plans, in an area supposedly reserved for tourism-related development only, is a betrayal of the original agreement and will irrevocably harm the area.
The site should be rehabilitated to its original natural state – the land should be given back to the public to enjoy, the tower restored and rehabilitated to continue generating sustainable economic activity, and the Jerma area embellished so that it can be enjoyed by generations to come
It is unclear whether the tunnel underneath the proposed open space between Jerma and St. Thomas Tower is still being considered. Digging a tunnel may cause structural damage to the tower itself and requires an impact assessment, whereas if a tunnel is no longer an option, the Tower will be transformed into a glorified roundabout. As the PDS itself states: “The presence of St. Thomas Tower and the proximity to the existing residential areas may also cause adverse impacts that hinder their ‘key strategic, long distance views and important vistas at a national and local level’. “
Marsaskala was not among the localities identified in the policy regulating high buildings of over 10 storeys. The development should be scaled down to 10 stories or less.
Impact assessments: No Transport Impact assessment has been carried out (as noted by Transport Malta on the 5th June 2018, who reserved its right to require consultation at a later stage) No Social Impact Assessment has been carried out
No consultation with residents in the area has been carried out. The Local Council have been asked to vote on very preliminary plans, with no real understanding of the impact that such a huge development will have on the fabric of the area, and on Marsaskala as a whole. They are against the inclusion of residential units, and the proposal has been visibly changed since the last consultation period.
Increase in traffic and pollution in the area: This development will severely exacerbate residential traffic in the area, to the detriment of Marsaskala as a whole.
St. Thomas Tower will effectively be incorporated into the development and mostly hidden behind the hotel when views from sea level
It is not clear from the site plans whether access to the foreshore will be retained, or whether it will be physically possible to access parts of the foreshore where the rubble boundaries seem to touch the shoreline. This is unacceptable; the foreshore belongs to the public, and the boulders currently blocking access (which were placed illegally when Jerma was in operation) should be removed and not retained in the proposal.
It is unclear whether the land owners will take responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the public open space in the area – this is not mentioned in the PDS.
There will be a substantial shadowing effect on nearby residential properties, depriving residents of sunshine during the morning, affecting both mental health. This may also have an economic impact as investments in solar PV panels or solar heaters will no longer be worthwhile.
This post is the first in a multi-part series about the abandoned, dilapidated Jerma Palace Hotel, and applicant Mr. Charles Cammileri’s proposals to redevelop the site from a 5-storey, 4-star hotel into a massive highrise with residential units spread over 13 floors and the hotel rising to 15 floors.
This is an opportunity to make an informed choice about the proposal, ensuring that you have your say while basing your actions and opinions on facts. It is also a chance to engage with other residents in a spirit of amicable discussion.
Stay tuned to Marsaskala.org for more.
Jerma site, with St. Thomas Tower in the background
