In 2019, a Court of Appeal ruling confirmed that development and associated impacts at Dwejra were incompatible with its status as a Natura 2000 site and Dark Sky Heritage Area. That judgment upheld the need for strict protection, recognising the site’s ecological, scientific and conservation value – including the importance of maintaining natural darkness.
Fast forward to 2026, and government is now proposing legislation that would permit artificial lighting at Dwejra, directly contradicting both the Gozo and Comino Local Plan and the principles confirmed by the court.
This approach follows a worrying pattern: instead of correcting breaches that were found to be unlawful, new laws are being proposed to legalise them.
Artificial light at Dwejra is not a minor issue. Scientific evidence shows that light pollution disrupts ecosystems, disorients seabirds such as shearwaters, and undermines the very qualities that justified Dwejra’s protection in the first place.
BirdLife Malta, together with other environmental, heritage and scientific organisations, is calling for the law to reflect what was already confirmed by planning policy and the courts:
Dwejra must remain dark from sunset to sunrise, with no exceptions.
The public is encouraged to submit objections to [email protected] by 3 March 2026, keeping [email protected] in copy, and stating:
“Lights at Dwejra must remain switched off between sunset and sunrise, and not allowed to remain switched on until midnight.”
Read the joint press release in English: Dwejra is to be lit up: Government’s “Protection” Law Is a Blatant Betrayal of Dwejra and a Fraud on the Public
Read it in Maltese here.
