Environment Minister Jose Herrera, as well as MPs from the PN and PD highlighted the need to preserve ODZ land during a debate on the Fuel Services Station Policy.

Parliament's Environment and Development Planning Committee was discussing the policy after a request was made by PD MPs Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia.

The issue regarding the number of fuel stations present on the islands has been widely debated recently, and some controversial applications have made headlines. This newsroom has published a number of stories on the issue.

PD MP Godfrey Farrugia, Speaking during the meeting, mentioned that the idea behind the policy back in 2015 was to remove fuel stations from urban areas, for health and safety reasons.

He spoke of the need to conserve Malta's natural capital. He suggests collecting data related to geographical density and location of fuel stations, and base application decisions on that data. On this point, it was highlighted that the MRA might have information regarding the location of all fuel stations, due to licencing, and he urged that the MRA be consulted on this matter.  He mentioned that government indicated Malta, by 2040, would move towards electric vehicles, and that this should be taken into consideration in new station applications. He also wants the 3000sqm area for development to never be exceeded. 

Farrugia also states that fuel stations should not be permitted in defined strategic gaps between one locality and another, and that areas of agricultural value and landscape or plateaus are to be strictly protected in all local plans.

PN MP Karol Aquilina said that he believes the current policy is giving rise to abuse with, for example, the construction of buildings for uses which have anything to do with petrol stations. He said that the 3,000 sqm allowed for relocated stations is excessive.

He said that any step forward should be based on a study on the current situation and what the country needs. He also mentioned statements regarding a date when Malta would switch over to electric vehicles. Aquilina mentioned that when it comes to relocated stations or new stations, the policy should only allow construction on committed, disturbed land.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera said he agrees with most of what Aquilina said, and were reasons why he asked the ERA to work on recommendations to fine tune the policy. He mentioned the mushrooming of petrol stations on ODZ land. He said that he has been preoccupied that ODZ land is being taken up, and that the countryside is reducing. He said that he is preoccupied with how the policy is implemented sometimes. He mentioned that landscaping is not always included, and that sometimes further space is taken up to include said landscaping. He said one must also consider the size of Malta. He noted that one area to consider revising is allowing the construction of new stations opposite areas of containment. This could result in, since being unable to do any other development, an applicant applying to construct a new station opposite an area of containment, the minister said. PN MP Karol Aquilina said that he has also made this point.

PA Executive Chairman Johann Buttigieg delivered a presentation on the Fuel Service Stations Policy.

He said that since the policy came into effect, two stations were relocated into ODZ land, and one new fuel station has been built. One has been rejected and four applications are pending. Before 2015, he said, pumps were built in ODZ land and that there was no policy at the time. Answering questions from PL MP Robert Abela, he said that there are refurbishments which stations need to undertake due to environmental considerations and EU regulations.

PL MP Robert Abela highlighted that the 67 applications regarding fuel stations pending, as per a response to a Parliamentary Question, are to do with fuel stations in general, and are not just the construction of new stations. These would include a number of things, such as upgrading, refurbishment, minor alterations etc.

PN MP Ryan Callus spoke of the need to look long-term at the situation, and the potential loss of green areas. "When an area is committed it is extremely hard to get the owner to turn that site back into its original state."

ERA Chairman Victor Axiak mentioned that over time, economic and health priorities, which are important, are being given more importance than the environment. "We feel that the environment must be given more importance." 

Sandro Chetcuti from the Malta Developers Association, said that prior to the policy, permits were given for stations in the countryside on land sized larger than 3,000sqm. He said having a policy is better than not having one at all. He agreed on the need for a fine tuning. He spoke of the need to ensure that people who have already applied under the current policy be kept in mind in the fine tuning process. He spoke of the need to look at sites, noting that there are areas which are would be suitable for this scope that would not see agricultural land destroyed.

AD Chairman Carmel Cacopardo said that when discussing the policy, it must be seen in the context of other policies. He mentioned the large number of cars on the islands. "We need to discuss this policy in the context of vehicle policies, the expanding of roads, and the electric car debate regarding setting a date to switch over to electric vehicles. Why are we discussing where they can be built, rather than how they will be closed, if we are talking about setting a date to switch over to electric vehicles?" He mentioned the need for a moratorium on applications until a decision is taken on what will happen in this regard. He asked the MPs and authorities to face the reality of this.

PA Chairman Johann Buttigieg said that when one looks abroad, many stations are slowly changing into supercharger fuel stations, where there would be fixed points giving supercharges. All other facilities, like car washes etc, are still provided. He said that a study needs to be done with regards what is going on abroad, and on what the industry abroad looks like.