Watch: 'Malta needs more marinas' claims infrastructure minister

Transport and infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugia shrugged off criticism over plans to extend the Kalkara marina, saying “the country needs more marinas”.

The Labour-led Kalkara local council and NGO Moviment Graffitti have come out against the plan that, if approved, would see more than 300 new berths taking up the unoccupied space in the creek.

Close to 300 objections had been submitted against the proposed marina by Thursday.

But Farrugia defended the plans, saying that more moorings were needed both in Kalkara and elsewhere.

Aaron Farrugia explains why he thinks Malta needs more marinas. Video: Claire Farrugia

“The country needs more marinas and so there will be public consultations to find ways for there to be more marinas in a sustainable manner,” he said.

“On the one hand, we need to respect the environment but we also need to ensure that the economy keeps growing in the future,” Farrugia added.

The government has come under attack before for its marina plans. Earlier this year, it was forced to row back on a controversial proposal for a yacht marina in Marsascala.

Farrugia on Thursday said a meeting on the Kalkara project would be held between Transport Malta and the...