“However – since 2016, only two small areas have been included – four years later – and with none of the 24 sites suggested by NGOs acquiring the required classification.”

“A number of land giveaways over the years and the authorities’ refusal to classify new sites as public domain prove that the government is yet to start taking the Public Domain Act seriously and protect areas of natural and cultural importance.”

It brought examples of Miżieb and Aħrax, the two biggest open spaces in the Northern side of Malta, which were signed off to the FKNK, Malta’s hunting lobby, meaning that for large parts of the year, the areas are designated as hunting grounds.

This agreement was later technically nulled by a Court, which found that it was not done according to the law given that it was signed behind closed doors.

However, almost an entire year since the court decision, the FKNK never seemingly lost rights over the areas.  

There were also many unresolved issues with the Western areas of Malta, where many have taken over public paths and labelled them as private property, for example, a public path which was blocked for the public in Fomm ir-Riħ.

And even more recently, coastal areas were declassified from public domain without any debate, namely Sliema Chalet and Qawra, with certain spots where the public cannot access anymore.

“There’s still a vast number of illegally occupied public lands, as well as privately owned sensitive areas that deprive the general population from rights of passage,” the activist group continued.

“We reiterate our demand that the provisions within this Act should be implemented in order to safeguard the public’s right to enjoyment of areas of natural and cultural importance throughout the Maltese islands,” it stressed.

What do you make of the government’s inaction on public spaces?