The undersigned residents' associations and NGOs on Friday strongly condemned the proposal announced by the Labour Party to allocate a €30 million fund to support restaurants and related businesses, while residents and local communities continue to suffer the consequences of unchecked commercial expansion in residential areas.
For years, communities across Malta and Gozo have experienced the steady takeover of residential neighbourhoods through the occupation of pavements and public spaces, the removal of car parking, excessive noise and light pollution, and persistent air pollution and odours generated by certain establishments. These impacts are seriously undermining residents' quality of life and their right to live in a peaceful and healthy environment.
At the same time, enforcement by the relevant authorities has remained weak and ineffective. Illegalities are frequently tolerated, penalties fail to deter abuse, and residents feel ignored and sidelined when raising legitimate concerns. In some cases, illegal structures or encroachments have even been removed using public funds, only for operators to later be granted larger areas that continue to be abused illegally. Such actions further erode public trust and reinforce the perception that abuse is being rewarded rather than being penalised.
This proposal runs diametrically contrary to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana's claim that the "Labour Government's strategy is to reduce burdens, strengthen compliance, and reward those who contribute honestly, the organisations said.
The undersigned organisations therefore firmly oppose this proposal, which further strengthens the perception that residents are being asked to use their taxes to support activities and operations that are already severely impacting their daily lives and wellbeing.
"We call on both major political parties to move beyond vague statements about quality of life and to commit to immediate tangible action in favour of residents. Local communities deserve clear assurances that illegalities will be addressed without delay, that abusive practices will be removed rather than tolerated, and that businesses operating outside the law will face effective enforcement and penalties to be directed towards improving localities." the organisations said.
This proposal directing €30 million of residents' hard-earned tax money towards bolstering a sector that is undermining their quality of life, is a clear statement from the party that businesses are more important than residents, they said.
This proposal runs diametrically contrary to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana's claim that the "Labour Government's strategy is to reduce burdens."
The undersigned organisations therefore firmly oppose this proposal, which further strengthens the perception that residents are being asked to use their taxes to support activities and operations that are already severely impacting their daily lives and wellbeing.
We call on both major political parties to move beyond vague statements about quality of life and to commit to immediate tangible action in favour of residents. Local communities deserve clear assurances that illegalities will be addressed without delay, that abusive practices will be removed rather than tolerated, and that businesses operating outside the law will face effective enforcement and penalties to be directed towards improving localities.
This proposal directing €30 million of residents' hard-earned tax money towards bolstering a sector that is undermining their quality of life, is a clear statement from the party that businesses are more important than residents.
Bizzejjed Group (which includes residents from: Attard, Balzan, Mdina, Msida Rabat, Sliema, St Paul´s Bay, Swieqi, Valletta, Zebbug)
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar
Il-Kollettiv
Marsaskala Residents´ Network
Moviment Graffitti
Pembroke Residents
Sliema Residents Association
ResidentiBeltin
Residenti tal-Mellieha
St Paul´s Bay Residents (which include residents from: Qawra, Bugibba, Burmarrad, St Paul´s Bay, Wardija, Xemxija)
Swieqi Pressure Group
Zurrieq Residents