Today, three Gozitan NGOs — Għawdix, Din l-Art Ħelwa – Għawdex, and Wirt Għawdex — alongside Moviment Graffitti, carried out a direct action at Fort Chambray to demand its return to public hands. The activists entered the Fort to highlight the failure of the Government to open the site to the public, despite over 30 years of private concessions. They condemned the government’s decision to hand the Fort over to developers, planning to transform it into a large aparthotel and residential complex, despite the site’s historical significance.
The latest development proposal includes demolishing historic barracks to make way for a 64-room hotel, 50 serviced apartments, and over 100 residential units. The activists criticized the government for neglecting the Fort’s preservation, allowing it to deteriorate while continuing to support private interests. They emphasized that taxpayers would fund the restoration, while developers profit.
Despite past promises of public access, Fort Chambray remains closed. The activists argued that the Fort should be used for cultural, artistic, or educational purposes, benefiting both locals and tourists. The NGOs called for a shift away from profit-driven development to a more sustainable, public-serving future for the site.
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