SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY for GOZO 2009 – 2015 LEADER PROGRAMME 11/12/2009 1 Executive Summary ..............................................................................5 Chapter 1 Introduction and Background ...........................................6 1.1. Introduction..........................................................................................................................................6 1.2. Submission overview.........................................................................................................................8 1.3. Applicant details including company name and number...................................................8 1.4. Local area...............................................................................................................................................9 1.5. Process preparing the application.............................................................................................10 1.6. Structure of the application document...................................................................................11 Chapter 2 The partnership ................................................................12 2.1. Description of the partnership members including who they represent...................12 2.2. Proposed group staffing and capability..................................................................................14 2.3. Proposed management structures............................................................................................14 2.4. Proposed financial management system including control and development.......16 2.5. Financial status..................................................................................................................................16 2.6. IT system capability.........................................................................................................................16 2.7. LAG structure and decision committee structure................................................................17 Chapter 3: Needs Assessment ...........................................................19 3.1. Description of the territory...........................................................................................................19 3.2. The consultation process..............................................................................................................20 3.2.1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................20 3.2.2. Seminar for Mayors and Councillors.....................................................................................21 3.2.3. Website and online consultation............................................................................................22 3.2.4. Adverts, articles and TV ............................................................................................................23 3.2.5. Direct mailing ................................................................................................................................23 3.2.6. Locality and sectoral meetings................................................................................................24 3.2.7. Closing seminar ............................................................................................................................30 3.3. Agricultural and environmental profile ..................................................................................31 3.3.1. Land cover.......................................................................................................................................31 3.3.2. Production.......................................................................................................................................34 3.3.3. Livestock & waste management.............................................................................................36 3.3.4. Other agricultural waste............................................................................................................38 3.3.5. Biodiversity......................................................................................................................................39 3.3.6. Protected areas and species.....................................................................................................40 3.3.7. Freshwater.......................................................................................................................................44 3.3.8. Groundwater quality....................................................................................................................44 3.3.9. Landscape........................................................................................................................................48 3.3.10. Cultural heritage.........................................................................................................................51 2 3.3.11. Climate change...........................................................................................................................53 3.4. Economic profile .............................................................................................................................54 3.4.1. Economic structure......................................................................................................................55 3.4.2. Agriculture and Fisheries...........................................................................................................56 3.4.3. Industry.............................................................................................................................................58 3.4.4. Tourism, Retail and Transport.................................................................................................59 3.4.5. Construction...................................................................................................................................60 3.4.6. Financial, Real Estate ..................................................................................................................60 3.4.7. Other services................................................................................................................................61 3.4.8. Social profile...................................................................................................................................61 3.5. Wider relevant research and evaluation.................................................................................63 3.5.1. International documents...........................................................................................................63 3.5.2. European policy documents.....................................................................................................64 3.5.3. National environmental & planning documents.............................................................65 3.6. SWOT analysis ..................................................................................................................................71 3.6.1. Agriculture.......................................................................................................................................72 3.6.2. Tourism.............................................................................................................................................74 3.6.3. Rural areas and the development of rural tourism ........................................................75 3.6.4. Other economic sectors.............................................................................................................76 3.6.5. Institutional governance............................................................................................................77 3.7. Needs and prioritisation................................................................................................................78 3.7.1. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................79 Chapter 4: The programme................................................................80 4.1. Vision....................................................................................................................................................80 4.2. Strategy................................................................................................................................................80 4.3. Strategic objectives.........................................................................................................................81 4.4. Targeting.............................................................................................................................................82 4.5. Programme structure.....................................................................................................................83 4.6. Strategic actions...............................................................................................................................83 4.6.1. ACTION 1: Studies on Sustainable Development............................................................84 4.6.2. ACTION 2: Preparatory Studies for Capital Investments and/or Marketing Actions..........................................................................................................................................................86 4.6.3. ACTION 3: Training