Moviment Graffitti has called on Malta's members of parliament to vote against the government's proposed extension of development zones "in the interest of all Maltese citizens and future generations".

The NGO also called on all Maltese and Gozitans to stand up and be counted in Valletta at Wednesday's demonstration against the development zone extensions, being organised by a number of non-governmental organisations.

In a press statement, Moviment Graffitti remarked, "We believe that Malta cannot afford to lose more land for development and speculation purposes. In fact, Mepa's State of the Environment Report 2005 declares that 23 per cent of Malta's land size is currently urbanised, in comparison to the EU average of seven to eight per cent."

Moviment Graffitti cited how, according to Mepa the current present development zones provide for more than 98,000 new dwellings despite the fact that only 41,200 are estimated to be required by the year 2020.

The NGO adds, "In view of the present state of affairs, as a result it is utterly unsustainable to extend the current development zone area. On the other hand, Malta requires a total moratorium on development outside the present development zone.

"Consequently, the construction industry should be directed at urban regeneration such as the renovation and rehabilitation of dilapidated housing. The notion is consolidated by the fact that 23 per cent of dwellings within the local context are temporarily or permanently vacant." According to Moviment Graffitti, the further extension to the development zone places Malta at high risk of becoming more overdeveloped than it already is – resulting in further negative economic, social and psychological repercussions, particularly in terms of the environment, health and tourism.

The NGO added that the proposals put forward in the third draft of the “Sustainable Development Strategy for the Maltese Islands” report and Mepa's own “State of the Environment Report 2005” offer what it describes as "various innovative and sustainable measures which can be endorsed within the local context".