ESG Radio Newsletter 23rd May 2013
Today we would like to review a number of environmental issues – we start with concerns over the high levels of sewage at Western Beach still being detected by the Environmental Agency sampling programme as recently as mid May. Some contaminants are registering at over 10 times the “guide limits”, while others are double the mandatory limit – meaning illegal levels and unsafe to bathe in, calling for the beach to be closed. We heard Sir Graham Watson discussing the matter last night from Brussels on GBC and welcome his support, of course, but it is a shame it is taking so long to resolve.
Another item that caught our eye was the concrete platform on Catalan Bay beach –one assumes it’s related to the play area but did it need to be that big? We shall be making enquiries in that direction. On the positive side, it is great to see beaches like Sandy Bay get the much needed infrastructural works it is now receiving. That coastline has taken a battering over the years, good to see it being strengthened and receiving some tlc at long last.
Yesterday’s brief power cut also brings us to another matter, that of electricity supply for the Rock.
This is a subject that matters to everyone, because it affects everyone. The ESG has had a special interest in our heavily polluting power stations and have campaigned for over a decade for a modern power plant to be built to best available technology and replace these as soon as possible. When Govt finally released a tender specification for the next generation power station we issued a positive statement welcoming this long awaited development.
We then rec’d a number of enquiries from members of the public ranging from technical questions to issues of environmental safety and so our technical advisers put together a comprehensive paper outlining our views on this important issue. It’s clear that a new power station must be completed as soon as possible to remove heavy pollution from our neighbourhoods and to secure power supply for the community. You can find this and other statements on our website at esg-gib.net, under the news section- link as follows:-
http://www.esg-gib.net/esg-on-new-power-station-for-gibraltar/
Regarding the CEPSA Oil Refinery and recent episodes of heavy pollution –we are investigating this issue and have contacted the company to ask for an explanation of what happened. Concerns were raised on both sides of the border but were not followed by any public announcement either from the Spanish authorities or the Refinery. We know only too well that fumes from this plant are toxic and harmful to health and they are legally obliged to limit such episodes to periods of breakdown or power failure only–explanations will be sought.
This week we were invited to a meeting with the Chief Minister and Ministers for the Environment and Planning to discuss our concerns surrounding the preparatory works underway for the Floating Hotel– with the reclamation of an important water feature as a car park a serious concern. Discussions continue and we shall also update on this soon.
Gibraltar’s Development and Planning Commission held their monthly meeting this morning: A reminder that you can keep up with the agendas and minutes of all meetings online by going to “Town Planning Gibraltar” and clicking on DPC. There was nothing too contentious on there this morning but you may find it interesting reading nonetheless.
One last point is about our face book page on mobile phone masts now up and running and attracting a growing amount of interest. Why not visit our page, send us a comment or question on this issue? Search for MobilePhoneMast Concern Gibraltar. Our technical advisers update the page with news and info and are happy to provide answers to specific questions or concerns.
You can contact us by emailing esg@gibtelecom.net , calling 200-48996 or ringing mobile 54960000
Thanks for listening.
