Munxar, Sannat local councils object to proposed manure disposal site
The Sannat Local Council has presented a letter of complaint concerning the proposed slurry and manure disposal site in Munxar to the Planning Authority and a number of ministers and parliamentary secretaries after residents of the area expressed concern about the lack of information surrounding the project, Mayor Philip Vella confirmed with The Malta Independent.
This follows the Munxar Local Council’s formal objection to the project.
The letter was addressed to Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg, Environment Minister Jose Herrera, Energy and Water Minister Joe Mizzi, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Clint Camilleri, Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg, and Water Services chairman Mario Zammit.
“Where is the site? What is happening? Why here? We have no idea what is going on,” the mayor said yesterday.
Vella was keen to stress that the local council was in favour of the introduction of a proper waste management system for manure and slurry in Gozo, saying that the situation had gone unchecked for over 12 years. He insisted, however, that the proposed location was not suitable, given that its vicinity to the residents of Munxar and Sannat could pose environmental and health risks.
He also said that while the development does not fall within the boundaries of the locality, it will still impact Sannat’s residents and surrounding landscape.
Vella said that he had suggested “that the Tal-Fessej area in Għajnsielem would be more appropriate given that the Gozo Sewage Plant is over there. I know it sounds frank, but once a site is already spoiled, they may as well concentrate similar initiatives there.”
The Malta Independent on Sunday earlier reported how residents are up in arms because the plant, which will be used for the management and storage of manure, will begin operating despite the detrimental effect it could have on the surrounding community as the only road to the site is through Munxar’s centre.
Sources also said that no planning application had yet been filed for a change of use of the area, formerly a cattle farm in Triq Żgħawri, to start functioning as a manure processing plant.
Munxar council formally objects to proposal
The PL-led Munxar Local Council has also formally objected to the proposed processing plant for livestock’s manure in the locality, in a letter addressed to the Planning Authority and a number of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.
The local council’s complaint was sent to Minister Caruana, Minister Borg, Minister Herrera, Parliamentary Secretary Agius and Parliamentary Secretary Camilleri.
“The council was approached by a number of residents who are preoccupied with the fact that the site indicated will begin being used under a concession for the processing of manure from livestock.
The council is also informed that some works that are not covered by the necessary permits have already been carried out. The council is making it clear now that even though we have never been approached by any government entity, it is against the activity occurring in Munxar. This is due to the fact that this farm is close to our homes and would therefore be an inconvenience due to the smells it will emit and the potential health risks it poses due to the gases being emitted. It is also because the trucks will be forced to go through our square.”
The council said this was unacceptable and it would take all the steps that may be necessary to safeguard the interests of the village and its residents.
On Thursday, following a statement by the Nationalist Party, the government denied these claims, insisting that “the Opposition should better inform itself before firing at random. The government’s job is to follow the development process under the Planning Authority and the technical studies that are taking place, so decisions can be made according to independent and scientific analysis and consultation wherever there is need, and not by playing a partisan game.”
However, during yesterday’s local council meeting, a local councillor confirmed that a private operator had in fact informed residents and the councillor that he intended to begin operating without the necessary permits after the feast of Santa Marija on 15 August.
The newsroom was later told that, contrary to the private owner’s claims, operations would not begin until all permits had been approved, and that the authority was obliged to listen to the proposal.
The technology will also not be a manure clamp as previously stated, but rather a new system which has been used around Europe, which treats and separates the manure, and returns the solid waste to the herdsman.
The council is making it clear now that even though we have never been approached by any government entity, it is against the activity occurring in Munxar