The Ramblers’ Association, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Friends of the Earth (Malta)
endorse the declarations of Mr David Pace, the Commissioner of the Environment and Mr Christopher Falzon, former MEPA Chairman, that “the proposed amendments to environment
and planning law are a major step backward” in development planning, heritage and
environment protection in Malta.
The introduction of measures to reduce bureaucracy and to increase political control over
appointments reveal a calculated resolve to remove all obstacles to development and favour
particular interests. The easing of DNO regulations and the waiving of Environment Impact
Assessments are aimed at ensuring the approval of controversial permits. The dismantling of
the sanitary office and of both panels of the Heritage Advisory committee eliminates checks
and balances from independent voices.
This is accompanied by a parallel resolve to neutralise public scrutiny. Recent public
participation has been purely cosmetic as public consultation took place only after decisions
were taken, secret contracts signed and laws enacted. The disdain for public consultation was
proven on the recent ODZ Policy, when none of the NGOs’ suggestions were accepted.
The recent development decisions taken by MEPA, like the ODZ land in Zonqor and shameless
cases in Burmarrad, betray the style of autocratic rule favoured by this administration. This is a
clear sign that the Labour government under Joseph Muscat is either totally ignorant of the
consequences of its actions or is more interested in the forty pieces of silver promised by the building
industry. The Gaffarena sanctioning at Qormi is a case in point. Who can blame the public for
suspecting foul play?
The NGOs agree that what is being proposed is “a structure which concentrates power in the
hands of a few people and widens ministerial power.”
Further to the Environment Commissioner’s proposals, the NGOs propose that for both the
proposed Environment Authority and Planning Authority, members of the executive boards and
the CEO should be appointed by the Prime Minister only after their credentials have been
scrutinised by the Parliamentary Committee for the Environment and Sustainable Development
and approved for the role they will fulfil. The Environment Authority should play the leading
role, considering the irreversible damage already inflicted on the environment by unrestrained
development.
As stated by Arch. Chris Falzon, former MEPA Chairman: “It should be clear to all that the Bills being
proposed are not even fit for the most retrograde of banana republics on this planet, and should be scrapped
as soon as practicable.”
The gateway to genuine progress and sustainable development hinges on a safeguarded and
secure environment, and not on taking up more ODZ for building development, as politicians
would have us believe.
New solutions have to be found before the damaging Bills are enacted. The NGOs are therefore
calling for a round-table conference, including all stakeholders, in order to identify the best way
forward.
