25 Comments »

Anne Zammit said:
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
# 10 June 2008 at 10:49 pm

Swimmer said:
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.
# 10 June 2008 at 10:52 pm

James A. Tyrrell said:
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.
# 11 June 2008 at 8:46 am

Joseph Cutajar said:
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
# 11 June 2008 at 1:38 pm

Big John said:
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.
# 11 June 2008 at 6:08 pm

David said:
To all the authorities PLEASE LEAVE HONDOQ ALONE, No More No Less.
Hondoq must be for everyone not just for the Few.
Thank You
# 12 June 2008 at 7:58 am

Mario D said:
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
# 12 June 2008 at 6:33 pm

However said:
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.
# 12 June 2008 at 7:54 pm

Perry said:
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.
# 12 June 2008 at 8:42 pm

Angelo Xerri said:
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.
# 12 June 2008 at 9:05 pm

Swimmer said:
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.
# 12 June 2008 at 11:29 pm

Charles Sammut said:
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 !!!
# 13 June 2008 at 1:14 pm

Lesley Kreupl said:
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# 13 June 2008 at 9:00 pm

Anton Scicluna said:
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.
# 13 June 2008 at 9:10 pm

Pat said:
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.
# 14 June 2008 at 12:58 am

Leslie Causon said:
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.
# 14 June 2008 at 4:14 pm

Annabel said:
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.
# 14 June 2008 at 9:06 pm

Joe Chetcuti said:
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
# 16 June 2008 at 3:48 pm

Swimmer said:
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.
# 16 June 2008 at 10:32 pm

The Big Bopper said:
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.
# 16 June 2008 at 10:35 pm

Swimmer said:
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/
# 16 June 2008 at 11:29 pm

Swimmer said:
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
# 28 June 2008 at 8:36 pm

Charles said:
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.
# 11 August 2008 at 6:10 pm

DiverGozo said:
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
# 25 August 2008 at 11:24 pm

Albert said:
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.
# 1 September 2008 at 10:57 pm

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