Birzebbuga has sacrificed so much for the economic and industrial development of the nation. One only needs to point to the fuel and gas terminals located in the village with the inherent risks. The power station just a few miles across the bay, that destroyed the scenic views as well as continued to add to the poluted air. The airport runway a kilometre or two away with aircraft approach right above our heads distrubing our sleep each night. Every undesirable was thrown our way. We have been spared the refuse dump only after stiff resistance from the loal population led by the Local Council - see photo.
The freeport terminal put the icing on the cake since it destroyed what was left of our once beautiful bay and contaminated the village with round the clock noise pollution. Through its regular dredging of the sea bed and the movement of large ships within the bay, it also destroyed our sea water waterpolo pitch. The effect of this sand movement on the pitch itself is even visible from space.... see satelite images in Current State section.
The Birzebbuga Waterpolo club has been trying for the last 6 years to convince the authorities to appreciate this great sacrifice that the people of the village are constantly making on a daily basis and give something back to this community through the rebuilding of all the sports facilities destroyed by the Freeport project, including two football pitches, tennis courts and our own waterpolo pitch.
Plans for a new pitch were approved by Mepa in 2004. However the central government has yet to accept its responsibility towards our community and budget the necessary funds for the project. Actually the MINISTRY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES - with the then Minsiter Hon. Ninu Zammit - had budgeted funds for the rebuilding of the club house ( and a regatta club) during 2005 and according to the Ministry's own Annual Report issued in 2006 - all that was needed were the necessary building permits. These permits were new ones filed with Mepa by the same Ministry for the rebuilding of the club house - basically on the same existing footprint. No further enhancements were planned. However, although some funds were, in fact, budgeted, these have yet to be used on the locality. The regatta club premises still remain just a dream.
During the last 12 months the club's committee agreed to scale the project down with the hope of making its expectations more acceptable to the authorities. It commissioned new plans which were re-submitted to MEPA for approval. On 27.11.08 MEPA officially acknowledges resubmitted plans and promises decision by 27.05.09 ....
When these plans are approved, finance is still required to bring this project to fuition. The club's officials are continuing in their efforts to get the necessary finance from the central government, which, we believe, has yet to live up to its social responsibility towards the inhabitants of the village.
Birzebbuga Clubs make history
The local primary school was a hive of activity this morning... a most unusual site for a Saturday morning. The occassion was a conference organised by the FZL for all the local clubs and NGO's of Birzebbuga. This conference was organised to try to identify ways how the local organisations can cooperate more with the aim of improving the lives of the local inhabitants.
The representatives of the 29 organisations present ( 32 were invited) were all given ample time to express their views and ideas as to how the local living standards can be upgraded. All speakers were of the opinion that more co-ordination is needed between all local organisations. The belief is that together we can achieve much more than alone.
At the end of the meeting a proposal to set up a Federation of all local organisation was proposed by the representatives of our club and was carried unanimously by all those present. If properly set up and administered such a Federation should give Birzebbuga a louder voice on the national arena, a voice so load that it would be hard not to hear.
This conference was most professionally chaired by Mr. Trustin Farrugia Cann ( and assisted by Mr. Chris Balzia) who ensured strict adherance to the agenda, whilst as secretaries for the meeting the FZL provided two of its members. We have been promised that the official minutes will be circulated to all clubs present very shortly. Our compliments to the whole team that organised this meeting. All present appreciated their hard work in getting such a difficult meeting together. Not to be forgotten are the tasty drinks and food provided.
Also invited for the conference were the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Mr. Clyde Puli and the shadow minister for Youth and Sport... Dr. Owen Bonnici. The absence of the Parliamentary secretary from this meeting was most felt.
Photos from the meeting can be viewed in our Photo Gallery
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