PA clears illegally dumped construction waste at Wied Qirda

A ‘scar’ on the picturesque valley of Wied Qirda, limits of Siġġiewi, has started to heal after Planning Authority enforcement officers moved in to clear illegally dumped construction material.

Mounds of construction waste – some over two storeys high – have marred the 25,000-squaremetre area of the valley known as tal-Bilbi for the past several years. The operation will take place over the next few days due to the extent of the illegal dumping and the sensitivity of the site. Over 70 truckloads of material have already been cleared from the site.

The zone is characterised by agricultural land and is protected as an area of national value for its ecological, scientific and rural importance.

Illegal dumping was observed over the past few weeks in spite of previous direct action taken by the Planning Authority on the site.

Last November, the authority began the process of removing tonnes of inert material dumped on the site as early as 2005. The contravenor agreed to continue removing material within an agreed time frame.

An inspection carried out by enforcement officers some weeks back, however, revealed that the amount of inert material had actually increased. This prompted the authority to move in once again and complete the job itself at the land owner’s expense. The contravenor is also being charged a daily fine of €50.

Once the operation is complete, the authority will ensure that the site is returned to its original state.