Thursday, September 1, 2016

FAA supports Gzira local council's stand on Manoel Island

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar​ said it welcomed and supported the Gzira Local Council initiative to reclaim public access to Manoel Island and to allow the public to make use of these areas for recreation and swimming. 

The Sliema and Gzira area is choking with traffic congestion, FAA said. All our open areas are being commercialised at an alarming rate and the public is being deprived of its access to practically all public spaces and beaches.

The foreshore is automatically recognised as being in the public domain under the Public Domain Act. Back in July, FAA said it had filed all the relevant documentation with the Planning Authority and the relevant ministries  to have 14 areas, including Manoel Island, as a whole, to be categorised as being in the public domain. To date the authorities have not replied showing that they do not care for residents' plight.

​Manoel Island is the only wooded green oases between Msida and Madliena. Successive governments have ignored all the international studies that show that green areas and especially trees are essential to residents' physical health while improving children's concentration and academic achievements and helping those suffering from mental health issues. Malta's heritage is a national asset to benefit the public, and should not be sold off. In the light of Manoel Island's heritage status, ​

FAA reiterated its plea to the government to declare Manoel Island a much-needed​ national heritage and nature​ park Manoel Island should be the area's green lung, our Central Park.



from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2bXC6lA
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