ADPD: ‘Reverse Course on Mellieħa Land Transfer, or Face Legal Action’

Mellieħa’s quiet streets hummed with an unusual tension today, as residents gathered outside the local council offices, brandishing placards and chanting slogans. The reason? The proposed transfer of a sprawling tract of public land from the local council to the government, a move that has sparked outrage among the community and prompted the Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) to issue an ultimatum: reverse the decision, or face legal action.

What’s at Stake?

At the heart of the matter lies a 130,000 square metre plot of land, currently owned by Mellieħa Local Council. The government has proposed to transfer this land to the Ministry for Gozo, with plans to develop it into a new industrial estate. But the move has been met with fierce opposition from the ADPD, who argue that the land should remain under local control, and that the proposed development could have severe environmental and social consequences.

“This land is a vital green lung for Mellieħa,” says Carmel Cacopardo, ADPD’s spokesperson for the north. “It’s home to unique flora and fauna, and provides a crucial buffer against urban sprawl. To hand it over to the government for yet another industrial estate is nothing short of criminal.”

Legal Threats and Political Pressure

ADPD has given the government until the end of the month to reverse its decision, failing which they have threatened to take legal action. The party has also called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to intervene, accusing him of turning a blind eye to the concerns of Mellieħa residents.

“We’ve seen this government push through controversial projects time and time again, despite public opposition,” says Cacopardo. “But this time, we won’t back down. We’ll fight this decision in the courts, if we have to.”

Community United

Residents of Mellieħa have rallied behind ADPD’s cause, with hundreds turning out for today’s protest. Among them was Maria Xuereb, a lifelong Mellieħa resident who fears that the proposed development could spell disaster for the town.

“Mellieħa is already struggling with traffic congestion and overdevelopment,” she says. “This industrial estate will only make things worse. We need to protect our green spaces, not pave them over.”

Xuereb’s sentiments were echoed by many of her fellow protesters, who vowed to continue fighting the government’s plans until they are reversed.

As the protest wound down, the mood was one of determination. “We won’t let them take our land,” said one protester, summing up the sentiment of the crowd. “We’ll fight this, all the way to the very end.”