St Julian’s Residents: Living in Fear Amid Cresta Quay Excavation

It’s 7 am, and already the sun is a harsh glare over St Julian’s. The usually bustling town is quiet, save for the distant hum of machinery. The source of this early morning noise? The ongoing excavation at Cresta Quay, a project that has residents on edge and living in fear.

For months now, the once peaceful residential area has been shaken by earthquakes, blanketed by thick dust, and rattled by the constant hum of heavy machinery. Residents have taken to social media, forming groups to share their concerns and experiences, with many reporting cracked walls, damaged property, and sleepless nights.

At the heart of the issue lies a €150 million project by Tumas Group to develop a 32-story tower at Cresta Quay. The project, approved in 2018, has seen excavation works ongoing since last year. However, residents argue that the project’s scale and the lack of information from the developers and authorities have left them in the dark and worried about their safety and property.

“We’ve had earthquakes, our homes are shaking, and we’re constantly covered in dust,” says Maria, a long-time resident of St Julian’s. “We’ve been asking for information, for reassurance, but it’s like we’re being ignored.”

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has been fielding complaints from residents, with some reports suggesting that the excavation works are exceeding the approved limits. Meanwhile, politicians from the Opposition and local councils have been vocal in their support of the residents, calling for more transparency and stricter enforcement of regulations.

“This is not about opposing development,” says Adrian Delia, Opposition Leader and MP for St Julian’s. “This is about ensuring that development is carried out responsibly, with respect for the environment and the safety of residents.”

Tumas Group, on the other hand, has maintained that the works are being carried out in accordance with the approved permits and that the safety of residents is a priority. However, residents remain unconvinced, pointing to the lack of communication and the ongoing issues they’re facing.

As the excavation works continue, residents are calling for urgent action. They want clear information about the project’s timeline, the measures being taken to mitigate the impacts, and assurance that their safety and property are being protected.

“We’re not against progress, but we deserve to know what’s happening in our own backyard,” says Maria. “We deserve to feel safe in our homes.”

With the project set to continue for at least another year, the future remains uncertain for St Julian’s residents. But one thing is clear: they won’t go down without a fight. They’re determined to be heard, to be protected, and to ensure that their community is not left to crumble in the wake of development.