Environment Minister Jose Herrera on Monday evening said 2018 was “the year of the tree” because never have so many trees been planted on the Maltese Islands.
Herrera was speaking at a heated meeting of Parliament’s environment committee, which debated the recent spate of tree destruction. The meeting was held at the request of PN environment spokesperson Jason Azzopardi.

Azzopardi highlighted that the latest plans touted by government, showing that the number of trees planned to be uprooted on Rabat road were reduced to 15, then three, were still not uploaded to the Planning authority website.

The Environment and Development Planning Committee had accepted PN MP Jason Azzopardi’s request to debate the controversial Central Link Project.

Originally, it was reported that 200 trees would have had to be uprooted along Rabat road, Attard, however government eventually said that the number was 70, and then reduced it down to 15. More recently, the number was reduced to three. Some have argued that this shows government’s lack of long-term planning, and that the reduction was just a reaction to the uproar.

Today, it was announced that Attard residents who form part of the 'Attard Residents Environmental Network' called on the government to reconsider the decision to build a by-pass in Attard, saying the project will cause environmental damage. The letter was signed by 432 signatories, who say that the construction of the Attard Bypass will destroy various arable land and will affect 47 farmers.

The residents argued that other options should be considered, such as an underground tunnel. They argue that a tunnel removes noise pollution, the issue of eating up virgin land and can be designed to interconnect with future tunnels. Aside from sending  a letter to the Prime Minister, they also sent a letter to the Maltese MEPs, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, and EU Commissioner for the Environment Karmenu Vella.

Jason Azzopardi, addressing the committee, said that on 16 June he had read an article which revealed Transport Malta’s plans, mentioning that around 200 trees will be uprooted. On the same day he said, Transport Malta submitted new plans. Later, he said, revised plans were uploaded to the PA website showing that around 60 trees will be uprooted.

A couple of days later, he said, the third version was announced, showing that the number of affected trees reduced to 15, and that these plans are still not available on the PA website. He said that later, an announcement was made reducing the number to three, adding that the plans in this regard have still not been uploaded to the PA website.

He questioned why these plans are not available on the Planning authority, and highlighted the knee-jerk reaction by government showing a lack of planning ahead.

He said that residents deserve to see the latest plans, given that it will affect them, and asked what consultation took place and with whom.

He mentioned the removal of trees in other areas, including in Marsa.

PD MP Godfrey Farrugia said that “we need to adhere to common sense regulations which look at the environment.” He said that the removal of trees takes up rural land, utilising it for the construction of a road. He said that Transport Malta had revealed its plan to uproot trees on 13 June.

He said that he was pleased to note that 300 other trees will be planted along the road project in question.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera said that a new law regarding trees will be introduced later this year.

Transport Minister Ian Borg said that this whole situation was triggered by an article where a journalist did not ask for the other party’s version, adding that he was shocked with the original reportage, as 200 trees being uprooted was never a question. It is pertinent to note that the original plans showed a very large amount of trees which were planned to be uprooted.

The Minister said the Authority used external experts, and that they were the original drafts. He said soon after (within hours)  the article was published highlighting the 200 trees, new plans which were drawn up after internal consultation took place, were uploaded to the PA website.

He said government continued improving on the plans.  He said that the architect has the faculty to change plans and continue improving the proposal until eventually, when the Authority needs to take a decision, does so on the last set of plans. “Government’s declarations will be reflected on the plans government updates on the PA when it feels the best last set of plans would be ready.”

He said that this project was planned for tens of years. He said that he will not abdicate responsibility, allowing what needs to be done to be stopped by certain individuals who have direct interest for government to cancel plans which were thought about for many years.

He said that due to traffic management in the region (Attard, Lija, Balzan and a few others), thousands of cars pass through serpent like small streets, and people coming from the North need to pass through these localities.

He said that government will continue improving the plans over the coming weeks.

Environment Minister Herrera said that his role is not there to go against government economic policy, but to make economic development sustainable, and give it an environmental impetus.  He said that when he has to put his foot down and oppose a project, such as in the Bulebel situation, he has, having given ERA an order to turn the area into ODZ land.

He spoke of the need to either widen roads, or reduce cars on roads. He said that indications show that in a few years, Malta’s roads will reach full carrying capacity.

Herrera concluded stating that this year is the year of the tree, as no other year have more trees been planted on the island.

He thanked those who had spoken during the meeting, telling them that he and minister Borg will be discussing their concerns and proposals.

During the meeting, Minister Borg shot down a proposal, by geologist Peter Gatt, to use the old railway tunnel leading to Rabat as part of the project. Borg said the tunnel exit is outside of central link project area, adding that it also lacked infrastructure and there might be safety concerns.

The CEO of Infrastructure Malta, Frederick Azzopardi, said the tunnel option had been studied but was found to be unviable. He said it would work in the short term, but after then it would be the same as a ‘do nothing’ option. He told those present that the authority would keep improving the project until the very end. He insisted that at the end of the project there will be many more trees than there are today.

At one point, Jason Azzopardi revealed that CrowdNet Ltd, a company belonging architect William Lewis and his wife, have been given a direct order as external consultants in the project. Lewis is the PL’s organisational secretary.