NGOs: ‘Hili Group is greenwashing Comino plans’

In a joint counter-exhibition in response to Hili Group’s presentation of their plans, seven eNGOs highlighted the impact of the proposed developments.

The organisations accused the developers of manipulating data to present a ‘sustainable’ project that appears less impactful than it would actually be.

Hili Ventures CEO Meo Hili announced on Friday that the hotel and short-let villas will be operated by the upmarket hotel brand Six Senses.

However, the project has received around 13,500 objections filed by concerned members of the public, which the Planning Authority said it is still processing.

Using Hili Group’s published figures and plans, environmental scientist John Paul Cauchi said that part of the complex will be built on untouched land.

Cauchi noted this would lead to an overall increase in footprint of 13%, with Santa Marija Bay seeing an increase of 49% of building volume, along with a new pier.

The counter-exhibition outside the MCC in Valletta was organised by Moviment Graffitti, Din l-Art Ħelwa, BirdLife Malta, Nature Trust Malta-FEE, Friends of the Earth, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, and Ramblers’ Association.