Urgent action needed – Save Hondoq Movement
- Repairs at Hondoq Bay finalised – Ministry for Gozo
- Our aim was, is, and will be, to have Hondoq enjoyed by everyone – Save Hondoq
- Storm damage at Ta’ Gordan and Hondoq Bay
- Please, please expedite repairs to the Hondoq damage
- Save Hondoq supports FAA on use of EU funds
- Exactly what does the term Eco Gozo mean – Readers Letter
- Mega projects will destroy Gozo’s distinct character
- Hondoq – An accident just waiting to happen
- The ‘almost’ completed repair work at Hondoq
- Bid to save Hondoq ir-Rummien from development
- Fight to save Hondoq ir-Rummien continues
- Hondoq quay badly damaged by rough seas
- Final Hondoq ir-Rummien proposal
- Offer someone a finger and they take the whole hand
- No more environmental destruction
After the recent heavy storms that wreaked havoc at Hondoq ir-Rummien bay, Moviment Harsien Hondoq (the Save Hondoq Movement) asks the competent authorities to attend to the following matters which require urgent attention.
With the quay and swimming zone being in such a dangerous condition, the works need to be completed very urgently to avoid any possible harm to human life:
1. The removal of the very large rocks, which lie underneath the quay and at present are washed to exactly the area where swimmers dive.
2. The removal of all the stones and boulders that were washed ashore and also the removal of the stones that have gathered on the sandy area throughout the years.
3. The rebuilding of the quay, moving the section for the unloading of boat passengers closer to the slipway so that the swimming zone can be enlarged.
Gozitans and Maltese cannot afford to lose another beach.
Paul Buttigieg
Secretary
Moviment Harsien Hondoq
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Government should help the hard working Qala council financially to repair the damages at Hondoq ir-Rummien. It should also take the opportunity to improve upon the facilities for the locals the enjoy this lovely bay, especially now that forced repair works need to be done.
I really hope the government takes action and makes ‘Hondoq bay’ the welcoming place again for the locals and foreigners who prefer small cosy beaches.
It’s a pity that government does not want to see that Gozo is not a place for ‘ mass tourism but a place were people come for the cosiness, for the peace / the authenticity of this beautiful little island /for the so important social contact with the locals!
Hondoq is a lovely place to meet/to swim/to socialise!
And a MUST for locals and tourists!
Tanja Van Poucke (B)
Hope that there will be no RED TAPE to fix this bay. No excuses please
This area is very popular during summer and it must be suitable for recreational purposes
Minister for Gozo PLS Note
“Now that everything is damaged, and it looks a mess, there’s no use for this bay. We can start building” – I bet thats what the govt or the very scrupless MEPA people are saying
THIS IS OUR LAND.
WE PAY TAXES.
WE DONT WANT TO SELL IT
WE WANT TO USE IT.
Watching children and adults alike enjoying the beauty of Hondoq, with the pretty beach, easy swimming access points, fun diving and scuba diving, would make any spectator realise the importance of this totally unspoilt area. If Maltese tourism is to improve in the summer of 2009, this area must be treated with respect and the improvements made for the enjoyment of every visitor.
This is an opportunity for the Maltese Government and the Gozo Ministry to work hand in hand with the Qala council to restore and improve the beloved Hondoq Bay ,so we all can enjoy this beautiful and natural beach this coming summer and the summers ahead.
Please restore and improve in a serious manner.
Just to agree with all the other people who have left comments Hondoq is one of the hidden beach treasures on Gozo. I only hope that a freak moment of nature does not stop those with the purse strings from getting the beach and wall fixed well in advance of the summer months and by my reckoning that gives them 4 months maximum, good job I am a diver and can hold my Breath!!!! lets get the whole of Gozo behind this issue, to the point where the government will be embarassed if they did nothing urgently.
It is indeed sad that nature has damaged Hondoq in such a way. However, perhaps the authorities can take this opportunity to improve Hondoq according to the suggestions that Mr. Buttigieg made and any others that are forthcoming. It is certainly the best beach for swimming and relaxing on, in Gozo, the water is cleaner (still) than any other beach/bathing area that I know. It is an important tourist attraction – not for bus-tour day trippers – but for people actually holidaying (and spending money) on the island and of course for locals, Maltese and expats. It is a beach that has something for everybody!
I urge the Ministry for Gozo and the Government to start work on repairing the damage as soon as possible. If the beach is not safe by the start of the season in June, there will be an immense loss of income in the Qala area (catering businesses, diving schools, boat hire, etc.). This would be a great shame. Many Maltese weekenders would certainly not make the trip over to Gozo if this beach is not repaired in time either.
Please do not let ruthless developers take advantage of the fact that Hondoq is in a vulnerable situation at present! MEPA and the MoG, please note. Let’s do everything we can to keep the eco-island idea alive…..
While I agree that Hondoq ir-Rummien bay should be taken care of immediately.
I strongly suggest that who will be entrusted with the removal of the stones on the sandy area of the bay should only cautiously remove the stones from the damaged quay that were washed ashore by the storm. I am saying this because I have already seen it happen in Xlendi in recent years when the pebbles where removed, the sand started to get washed away and now practically no sandy area is left.
I urge the authorities concerned including the Qala council and Moviment Harsien Hondoq to monitor closely the cleaning of the beach.
Hondoq Ir-Rummien has seen many big storms through the years and I am sure it will servive the latest. Some sixty years ago there was not the sand that there is today. The sand started to come after the mining of the boulders to build the Mgarr Breakwater. Before that only huge amount of sea weed gathered at the beach which the local farmers collected it to use in animal stables and compost which was ideal. It did not go to waste.This beach was always popular and even more so today, for the simple reason that many other beaches in the area are not fit for bathing like Hawlija and Zewwiqa.Hondoq is the second best beach in Gozo except for Ramla Bay, and if you have a Summer like the past few years, that the winds blows mostly from the West Hondoq is the best and only most pristine beach in Gozo bar none. I urge the Central Government, Ministry for Gozo, and Qala Council to start repairing or may be replacing the whole breakwater and clean the beach area from all the boulders way before the summer, and without delay, and yes do a good job, Not A FLY BY NIGHT REPAIR, so it will be fit and safe for summer activities like swimming, BBQ’s, Social Events, Diving, Family Reunions,Maltese and Gozitans yearly visiting Emigrants from all over the Planet and many tourists that look forward to the summer enjoying Hondoq Ir- Rummien Bay. Ruining Hondoq Bay will be like an Arrow that penetrated the heart of Qala Village.
I think Hondoq should be kept i am a tourist if you like and love Hondoq as it is convienient and a warming atmosphere, it has something for everyone if its paddling, scuba diving or whatever. It would be a shame to spoil what it has to offer and the potential that it has.
From Tom
United Kingdom