Momentum wants better protection of coastline and public beaches
Momentum has unveiled three proposals aimed at protecting Malta’s coastline from what it described as increasing privatisation, environmental damage and abuse of public land laws.
The party said Friday it would push for the “absolute protection” of Comino, insisting that the island should remain free from any commercial development. Describing Comino as one of the last unspoilt areas in the Maltese islands, Momentum said the Natura 2000 site must be safeguarded from projects such as hotels, restaurants, spas, private pools and expanded berthing facilities.
Momentum also called for stricter enforcement of public domain laws to guarantee free public access to all parts of the Maltese coastline. The party argued that, despite existing legislation, access to the shore is often blocked by private operators through fences, barriers and restricted pathways.
“The coast does not belong to developers, concession holders, or politicians who look the other way. It belongs to the people,” the party said.
A third proposal focuses on reforming the system through which beach concessions are awarded. Momentum said too many public beaches have been handed to “well-connected” operators through opaque processes lacking transparency and accountability.
The party said concessions should instead be granted through impartial and transparent procedures that comply with EU rules, with open competition and clear criteria for all applicants.
Momentum executive member Graziella Spiteri said Malta’s coastline “is not a commodity to be carved up and sold off to the highest bidder”.
“What we are seeing instead is a system where access to the sea depends on who you know and what you can afford. That is not acceptable in a European democracy,” she said.
She added that Momentum would work to protect Comino, enforce public access rights and overhaul the beach concession system.
RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Momentum wants better protection of coastline and public beaches