Our aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone – Save Hondoq
- Save Hondoq supports FAA on use of EU funds
- Urgent action needed – Save Hondoq Movement
- Bid to save Hondoq ir-Rummien from development
- Mega projects will destroy Gozo’s distinct character
- Fight to save Hondoq ir-Rummien continues
- Hondoq ir-Rummien development plan proposal
- What right does anyone have to spoil such a gift from God in the name of financial profit?
- An open letter to the Malta Labour Party – Readers Letter
- Qala Council calls for MEPA action on Xerri development
- Alternattiva Demokratika Meeting with Qala Residents
- No more environmental destruction
- Vacant properties and the strength of the construction industry
- University students provide design solution for Hondoq
- Hondoq Ir- Rummien doesn’t count – Readers Letter
- ‘Save Gozo’ protest held in Valletta
Moviment Harsien Hondoq (The Save Hondoq Movement) welcomes with satisfaction the grant of ten thousand Euros allotted to the Qala Local Council, from the central government for the analytical and technical study of the proposed project of Hondoq ir-Rummien in regards to the environmental impact. This shows that the government is conscious of the negative impact such a project will leave on the area.
This grant was acquired through the work of the Qala Local Council, with the continuous insistence of Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghall-Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) and various environmental NGO’s.
The movement doesn’t understand how, with a pen`s stroke, without any consultation, the local plan for the Hondoq area was changed from an Outside Development Zone (ODZ) to a development zone. The concerned authority is being asked to revise the decision that was taken in 2006 and give Hondoq the status it once had.
The movement’s aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone.
Further information is available on the SOS Hondoq website at
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MEPA should carry out its duty of protecting environment as claimed and indicate immediately to the developer that this project will destroy the coastal landscape of Gozo.
It will also bring urban problems of congestion to Qala residents …who will then face more road building in the nearby countryside placing decreasing and degrading the precious open green spaces which still remain.
Have a heart and Save Hondoq!
AZ
Obviously this is good news, but make sure you will get the right professionals to do the analytical and technical study of the proposed project of Hondoq ir-Rummien.
Hope you will succeed in your struggle to save Hondoq, Hondoq is a necessity for Gozitans and everyone. We go there quite often during summer.
Well done MHH you have got my 100% support.
If only they had that choice Swimmer but unfortunately the persons carrying out the EIA will have to be chosen from a list supplied by the Government.
Having said that everyone involved in this should be aware that not only the people of Qala, not only the people of Gozo, not only the people of Malta but people from all countries of the world will be watching this process.
There can only be one honest outcome to this and that is that the plan to build a marina is axed on the grounds that it would damage forever the environment of Hondoq.
Clean up Hondoq and leave it as it is, we dont need any marinas ,hotels, apartments etc. Leave it as it is so we can enjoy the last and remaining untouched beach on the island.
Just remember that tourists visiting Gozo are looking for peace and to enjoy nature at its best and that is HONDOQ
Hondoq was ODZ till 2006. What was the reason for it to change was it to suit the general public or to suit the few ?
LEAVE HONDOQ FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY, I agree with all the above comments.
To all the authorities PLEASE LEAVE HONDOQ ALONE, No More No Less.
Hondoq must be for everyone not just for the Few.
Thank You
Today Bird Life organized an event for school children.
They also called for greater use of alternative sources of energy and protection for scenic sites such as Ramla and Hondoq ir-Rummien bays.
Did Minister Pullicino notice that now even kids are fed up and are afraid of losing these precious sites. Good on you kids
The question is who will be doing the EIA and what is the goal of it?
Is it not crystal clear to anyone that the people of Qala and beyond do not want any development of Hondoq, and that any development of this size will have detrimental effect on environment and quality of life?
I am concerned that the EIA might be used to support this development masking the obvious.
We read about Hondoq, and the useless mob that are trying to ruin that lovely place, we sometimes wonder who the real enemy are….Certainly not the people of Hondoq.
Hondoq Ir-Rummien is the life of Qala village. It is the cleanest and only pristine beach left in Gozo, if not Malta also.The people of Gozo and the foreign residents that choose to live among us, the Maltese people that have properties in Gozo and others enjoy this beautiful bay. The tourists that come during the year, many Gozitans and Maltese among them, look forward for some peace and tranquility at Hondoq.It will be a crime against these people and the environment if Hondq Ir-Rummien Project is approved to be built.
From what I can see people are being ignored by Mepa because with proposals like these that will ruin the way of life of generations to SERVE THE FEW is beyond belief. The environmental damage you will cause is beyond belief. Please stop this and similar projects.
This is sheer speculation destined to ruin our country.
It seems to me that this “Grant” is nothing but a ruse to keep the heat off the Proposed Project. Does one need a Study to determine if the Proposed Project will have a disastrous impact on Hondoq and the surrounding area? Make better use of that money. Anyone with a little common sense knows that the character of this pristine bay enjoyed by so many would forever be destroyed once the lovely area is commercialised and built up.
Hondoq is God’s gift to Gozo. Let’s not essentially have it raped by the very few to the detriment of so many!!! Keep up the good fight Paul Farrugia and Company and God’s willing you and all of us that love Hondoq and can appreciate “a good thing” will eventually prevail !!!
Most of us who care about Gozo have read and/or written many letters or comments regarding Hondoq Ir Rummien. Why doesn’t the Government and MEPA take any notice of what the local people, expats and tourists have to say. To develop Hondoq would be a grave sin against the residents of Qala in particular, as the results of the referendum are being completely ignored, and the rest of the people who enjoy this little cove. How can an ODZ area suddenly have its “O” changed to an “I”. Who was behind this change? Who was bribed and/or promised “free” apartments or marina facilities?
It is good that 10,000 euros are being made available to carry out various studies, but only if they can be carried out by independent (neutral) investigators. It is no use sending Government-selected ‘experts’ as we all know what the result would be.
AGAIN, LEAVE HONDOQ ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hondoq ir-Rummien has its own specific beauty with its pristine clear waters enjoyed by the Qala families for swimming and evening relaxation. Its a geological add-on to a few other coastal areas in Gozo that need to be preserved.
This site attracts locals and tourists alike.
Cannot imagine any modern development in this area. Rehabilitate the area and save this gem for future generations.
Can this nation once and for all WAKE UP and see how this nation is becoming, isn`t 50 thousand plus empty dwellings enough? Why should we keep on building and at the same time destroying what has been in existence for all those years. Doing projects like Hondoq is nothing more than GREED with no respect for residents HONDOQ SHOULD BE LEFT FOR EVERYONE.
I am positive that good sense will at the end prevail.
The two parties are today in favour of protecting our environment.
This project is simply one big excuse to make money out of a derelict quarry and ruin the whole area.
It is very disconcerting that such an overwhelming majority result in the Qala referendum was completely ignored…isn’t this supposed to be a democracy? I’m not convinced that this latest effort towards research will make much difference, and is little more than a token gesture to silence the critics while the research is carried out and therefore appear to diminish the level of opposition…I hope it doesn’t and we all maintain the pressure to preserve this beautiful part of the island for all future generations. Particularly during this research period, we must all stay involved and step up the efforts to keep this issue in the public (local and international) spotlight.
I wish to add my name on the never ending list of persons declaring themselves against the proposed project of Hondoq ir-Rummien and I welcome with great satisfaction new Labour Party leader’s comments in this regard.
Hands off Hondoq, please.
Joe Chetcuti
I too have seen Disset on PBS and I can assure Mr Chetcuti that I felt the same because when I go with my family there it is always jam packed with tourists etc. I beg now that PM Gonzi has a change of heart, Labour did it so why not the PM? It will be a decision that everybody will welcome except the speculators. Good news is good news so I ask Dr Gonzi Please put pressure to SAVE HONDOQ.
I think every able Gozitan should sign a formal petition to the ministers who’s bright idea will ruin Gozo’s heritage forever : Hands off Hondoq, if not all hell will be let loose.
Lately I was forwarded to the Hondoq SOS website It is very informative and I suggest it to everyone to check it out. Well done guys, you ought to be congratulated.
http://www.soshondoq.blogspot.com/
Has anyone seen this article on the New York times You got to see it to see how this journalist describes Hondoq
Click here: Mopeds, Horsemeat and Pynchon on Malta – Frugal Traveler – Travel – New York Times Blog
Thanks swimmer, I have just seen the link Mopeds, Horsemeat and Pynchon on Malta. It amazes me how we do not take notice of what we have got. Do we need a frugal traveller to tell us what we all know. Why do we keep on insisting to destroy the few remaining gems that we have left in Gozo like Hondoq. Please leave Hondoq don’t give it to speculators.
Hondoq must be kept as it is for those of us who swim and dive there. The popularity of this place is clearly evident every weekend when the car park is jam-packed. It is a valuable resource that is used by Gozitans, Maltese and tourists, we cannot afford to lose it
Lets learn a lesson from the other hotel in Gozo that has closed because of lack of business. Furthermore they have now destroyed the ambience and have gained a licence to build flats.
It sounds to me that this is the same reasoning that this developer is using to gain a licence to build flats eventually. Let’s face it, a hotel in Qala is a losing business proposition.
Name me one investor that will invest money in a losing business propostion….name me one banker that will loan money into a losing business propostion.
Apart from the above mentioned reasons against the development, it is to my knowledge that there are enough hotel beds around the islands to cater for all the tourists that arrive.
So why should we continue building new hotels and destroying the little rural land we have, rather than improve on the existing facilities?Apart from this, isn’t the latter option less costly?
It doesn’t take a genius to know that developing Hondoq into a marina ,hotels .apartments whatever, is simply a disaster and a one way street to a major disapointment.For the sake of our island LEAVE HONDOQ ALONE. don’t you guys get it ,would be much better off to just clean it up so all visiting locals and tourists will enjoy this piece of paradise.PLEASE LEAVE HONDOQ ALONE………………..
Hondoq is one of the bays with the cleanest, limpid sea in all Malta and Gozo. Why spoil it with the effluent of a yacht marina? Even the developers’ report says the beach will be negatively affected and anyone who thinks otherwise doesn’t know what he’s saying. How many people do you see swimming near marinas in Malta? Another yacht marina might be good for Gozo, but Hondoq was not even included in Mepa’s list of possible sites for new yacht marinas, as it makes no sense to spoil such a clean bay when there are others which are already not so clean. It only makes sense to the developers. The acceptance of this project would mean that developers have more power than Mepa.
Gozitan tourism and employment needs more greenery to attract tourists, not more buildings to put them off. Many hotels already employ foreign staff, so any jobs this project would create would not necessarily help Gozitan unemployment.
There is also no guarantee that the villas and apartments would not eventually be sold to Maltese. Allowing the building of a whole village Outside Devevelopment Zone would open up all Gozo’s unspoilt coasts to development and really spell the end of its unique appeal. Hands off Hondoq!
With 40% of all property in Gozo lying vacant, it is totally stupid and ignorant to let developers build more accommodation on this tiny island.
It is the rural and unspoilt natural landscape which attracts foreigners/Maltese to Gozo. Build it up and visitors to Gozo will soon be seeking greener pastures. If Gozo becomes like Malta….nobody will want to vacation there. Low cost airlines can now take the Maltese to much greener pastures for a pittance! Who will want to visit an overbuilt concrete Gozo?
Swimmer and Carmen I agree 100% with what you are saying here. In just over three weeks I will be back in Gozo and swimming once more at Hondoq. You say Carmen that if Gozo becomes like Malta nobody will want to go there and that is certainly true.
Why does the Government think that so many people like myself choose Gozo for their holiday rather than Malta? Why do so many Maltese come over to Gozo for the weekends and public holidays? They do so because Gozo is different, it is quieter and less built-up, and it has beautiful little bays like Hondoq. Lets keep it that way for generations to come
I must add my voice to all those opposing the development of Hondoq. My family and I first visited Gozo in 1992, and over the last 9 years have visited the island 12 times. We have introduced several friends to Gozo for whom we knew the fact that the island is not over developed, quiet and tranquil. That is its “get away from it all” appeal. Visitors and Gozitans alike appreciate this, such that the Gozitan people’s way of life is not spoilt. The Marina would destroy what Hondoq is and create an artificial noisy playground for the rich.
First of all thank you Mr Tyrrell for agreeing with me The whole thing is all about money NO MORE NO LESS. Hope that now mepa has learned a lot from past mistakes and this would not happen again on Hondoq
People should put it in their head that once the project is approved there will be no more parking the same way as it is and what about the polution that this monster will generate Hondoq is a necessity for EVERYONE and not for the chosen few
Comments like our friend Gary Audas should be noted by the authorities and noted May i remind Mr Audas that this web site will give him a lot of info http://www.soshondoq.blogspot.com/
How right you are Mr.G.Audas,we too been coming to Gozo now for the past 12 years, however if some bright Maltese or whatever decideds to get greedy as usual and alter Hondoq in any way, Gozo will not see us for peanuts, in otherwords Bye Bye Gozo.
Looking at all these comments makes me wonder if the government takes any notice of them at all.
Two things stand out to me:
Firstly, the amount that this article has attracted attention, a rating of over 1,000% (one thousand per cent). Making it by far the most read article on gozonews.com.
Secondly, it is also the most commented article on the Gozo News website.
Isn’t this enough to show the government that the majority of the public don’t want this new development monster to materialise
Leave Hondoq as it is for everyone to enjoy, not just for the few. Please let us breathe fresh air there and not smell the fumes from a Yacht marina.
Gozo does not need more Hotels and flats. Several Hotels – Mgarr Hotel, Atlantis Hotel, Andar Hotel, Duke of Edinburgh Hotel etc.. had to close down due to lack of occupancy. It is a known fact that there are hundreds of vacant flats in each village in Gozo.
I suggest the Qala Local council to make a real clean up of Hondoq and a better road to this splendid Bay. The Yacht marina should be put in Marsalforn and Mgarr (extended with the existing one)where the infrastructure is ready and a cruise liner terminal can be built with it.
HANDS OFF HONDOQ
This is a most amazing campaign led by a group of determined people. That I support the preservation of Hondoq is unquestionable; what is more important is that we recognise the dedication that a small team of people have contributed to a peaceful protest. Without this non-violent resistance the area would have been destroyed by now. We need to remember that governement should simply be a rubber stamp at the end of a long democratic process. When we use that democratic process fully by immersing ourselves in the issues that affect our lives we can see how we can play a part in the outcomes. Too often people believe they have no say and that change will happen around them whether they like it or not. This campaign proves clearly that it is not the case. It requires us to believe we are empowered and to care enough about the world we are creating. When we live in parts of the world where we have the freedom to speak up, non-action is just as much a contribution to the world’s state.