Following extensive consultation and meetings between architects, marine engineers and internationally renowned consultants in harbour control works and members of the local community, the consortium of the Qala Creek development project at Hondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo has come up with a final proposal, which creates, it believes, the least impact on the existing marine environment.

The Hondoq ir-Rummien site stretches from the existing disused quarry, located to the north of the coast, right down to the derelict concrete wharf and encompasses the adjacent public sandy beach.

The only public facility in the area at present is the small sandy beach, which caters for a restricted number of users, due to inadequate access to it and the limited extent of the swimming zone.

The existing concrete wharf, which today is used for surface parking, also needs to be rehabilitated in a way that makes it adequate for public use.

The Hondoq ir-Rummien site was mentioned in the draft for the Gozo local plan, issued in 2002, which describes the area in the surrounding landscape as dilapidated in need of immediate attention and upgrading: "MEPA will favourably consider proposals from public agencies, which have the endorsement of both the local council of Qala as well as central government to upgrade beach facilities at Hondoq ir-Rummien."

"The upgrade should address the following objectives:

a) To rehabilitate the damaged landscape

b) To provide basic beach amenities (eg changing rooms and showers)

c) To encourage unrestricted public access to the beach; and

d) The built facilities provided shall be designed in a manner which is unobtrusive and complement the surrounding environment."

It also states: "After the mineral resource has been exhausted, requests for development permission to rehabilitate the area shall be given favourable consideration. The development permit conditions for this site should take into account the considerable expense needed to rehabilitate the area."

The new Gozo local plan, approved some weeks ago, expands on the nature of the development to be implemented: "Development, within the boundaries of Hondoq ir-Rummien for tourism and marine related uses, is to focus on sensitively designed, high quality and low density buildings that blend into the landscape. Emphasis should be given to soft landscaping and visual mitigation."

The new Qala Creek design proposal, say the applicants, strives to transform the dilapidated site into a unique destination for both local and foreign visitors, with a low-impact development that respects the surrounding unspoilt natural environment. Improved public recreational facilities, the introduction of a tourist village, and a much-needed marina, they say, will create an economic activity that will sustain this endeavour.

The Qala Creek design concept proposes:

� A development of the disused quarry in a way that boosts tourism, creates a much-needed second marina for Gozo, offers diverse public recreational facilities and helps to finance the upgrading of the entire site.

� A rehabilitation of the sandy beach area, introducing disabled access, provision of public sanitary facilities, a swimming zone that is triple the existing area, and adequate public parking facilities.

� A rehabilitation of the concrete wharf area, including a lowering of the wharf for easy public access to the sea and the creation of an underground public parking facility in order to free up the entire zone to be used as a lido for the benefit of the public. The scheme envisages a possible handover of the public area to be administered by the Qala local council.

� There will be zero visual and physical impact on the existing marine environment. There has been a joint effort between the architects, marine engineers and internationally renowned consultants in harbour control works to come up with a solution for the design of a marina that creates the least impact on the existing marine environment. After numerous studies and the development of marina models, a zero impact solution was found in the form of state-of-the-art rubber dams such as those utilised in the flood control barriers in Holland. This solution enables the development of a much-needed marina, without extending beyond the present coastline, and this with minimum disturbance to the seabed and posedonia meadows. Moreover, it totally eliminates the need of a breakwater, keeping the magnificent views of Comino unhindered, as they are at present.

� It is also envisaged to develop a careful plan for the meticulous control of the Qala creek marina, based upon that successfully implemented at the Hilton Portomaso marina, where constant harbour vigilance has enabled the maintenance of healthy marina conditions, to an extent that fish are regularly spotted swimming inside the harbour enclosure. Dozens of swimmers bathe daily in the sea directly outside the harbour mouth. The water is extremely clean and perfectly suitable for swimming, resulting in an almost �blue-flag� beach. These conditions are achieved by strictly enforcing a number of marina rules, namely the total prohibition of emptying holding tanks into the sea, the ban of TBT anti-fouling chemicals and the use of anti-foul as approved by EU standards. The same conditions shall be enforced in the Qala Creek marina.