Mellieħa is one of the few localities where a constant interaction with nature is still possible notwithstanding the continuous pressures exercised by both development in general and the tourism industry. This was stated by AD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo who addressed a press conference this morning in Mellieħa together with Local Council candidate Luke Caruana.

During the Press Conference Alternattiva Demokratika emphasised the need to prioritise environment protection and residents in local politics.

Luke Caruana said “Mellieħa, like many other localities requires Green politics to ensure the principles of sustainability, inclusion, transparency are inbuilt in the manner in which the Local Council carries out its responsibilities.”

“Unfortunately, it is not the first time that the quality of life of residents was brushed aside to accommodate the interests of strong business lobbies. A case in point is the Malta-Gozo tunnel, which is a serious environmental threat that will impact the quality of life of the small outlying rural communities of Mellieħa: Manikata and l-Għerien. It is unacceptable that other local councillors and candidates have not voiced their concern on this significant impact on our rural communities.”

Luke Caruana further emphasised the need to have a long term vision that ensures remaining open spaces are really protected from over-development.

He added “Our locality should also become considerably greener and prioritise people over cars. This can be achieved by expanding pedestrian zones and possibly making main streets more accessible to cleaner modes of transport such as bicycles and electric taxis. Furthermore, planting local trees will also help to improve air quality and provide shelter during the summer months.”

Carmel Cacopardo emphasised the need for Mellieħa to appreciate more its links with nature as well as its heritage. Fort Campbell in Selmun is in a state of ruin having been neglected and vandalised over a long time. Mellieħa Local Council should take the lead in coordinating efforts to restore Fort Campbell and establish a suitable use linked to the appreciation of the rural environment and eco-tourism.

Eco-tourism is the way forward for a sustainable local economy and local authorities such as Mellieħa have a significant role to play, concluded Carmel Cacopardo.

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Nipproteġu ‘l-Mellieħa u r-residenti tagħha minn żvilupp mhux sostenibbli

Il-Mellieħa hija waħda mill-ftit lokalitajiet fejn l-interazzjoni man-natura għadha possibbli minkejja l-pressjonijiet kontinwi eżerċitati kemm mill-iżvilupp in ġenerali kif ukoll mill-industrija tat-turiżmu. Dan intqal miċ-Chairperson ta’ AD Carmel Cacopardo li indirizza konferenza stampa dalgħodu fil-Mellieħa flimkien mal-kandidat għall-Kunsill Lokali Luke Caruana.

Waqt il-konferenza stampa, Alternattiva Demokratika enfasizzat il-ħtieġa li tingħata prijorità lill-ħarsien tal-ambjent u lir-residenti fil-politika lokali.

Luke Caruana qal: “Il-Mellieħa, bħal ħafna lokalitajiet oħra teħtieġ politika Ħadra biex ikun assigurat li l-prinċipji ta’ sostenibbiltà, inklużjoni u trasparenza jkunu parti integrali mill-mod kif il-Kunsill Lokali jindirizza r-responsabbiltajiet tiegħu.”

“Sfortunatament, mhix l-ewwel darba li l-kwalità tal-ħajja tar-residenti ġiet imwarrba biex takkomoda lobbies b’interessi kummerċjali. Eżempju ta’ dan insibuh fil-proposta tal-mina bejn Malta u Għawdex, li hija theddida ambjentali serja u li tolqot il-kwalità tal-ħajja tal-komunitajiet rurali żgħar tal-Mellieħa: il-Manikata u l-Għerien. Mhux aċċettabbli li kunsilliera attwali u kandidati oħra ma esprimewx it-tħassib tagħhom dwar l-impatti sinifikanti li dan l-iżvilupp ser ikollu fuq dawn il-komunitajiet rurali”.

Luke Caruana enfasizza wkoll il-ħtieġa li jkun hemm viżjoni fit-tul li tiżgura li l-ispazji miftuħa li fadal jkunu verament imħarsa minn żvilupp mhux meħtieġ.

Huwa żied jgħid “Il-lokalita tagħna għandha ssir aktar ekoloġika billi nagħtu prijorità lin-nies u mhux il-karozzi. Dan nistgħu niksbuħ billi nespandu ż-żoni pedonali u possibilment billi nziedu l-aċċessibbilita lil modi ta’ trasport aktar nodfa bħalma huma r-roti u t-taxis elettriċi. Barra minn hekk, it-tħawwil ta’ siġar lokali se jgħin biex titjieb il-kwalità ta’ l-arja u biex ikunu ta’ kenn matul ix-xhur tas-sajf.”

Carmel Cacopardo enfasizza l-ħtieġa li l-Mellieħa tapprezza iktar ir-rabtiet tagħha man-natura kif ukoll mal-wirt tagħha. Fort Campbell f’Selmun jinsab fi stat ta’ rovina minħabba li ġie traskurat u vandalizzat għal żmien twil wisq. Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Mellieħa għandu jkun minn ta’ quddiem fil-koordinazzjoni tal-isforzi biex jirrestawra l-Fort Campbell u jistabbilixxi użu xieraq għalih marbut mal-apprezzament tal-ambjent rurali u l-ekoturiżmu.

Carmel Cacopardo, saħaq li l-awtoritajiet lokali għandhom rwol importanti biex jiġġeneraw ekonomija lokali li hija tassew sostenibbli. Dan jista’ jsir billi niżviluppaw l-industrija tal-ekoturiżmu f’lokalità bħal ma hija dik tal-Mellieħa.