Discussing the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) Financial Estimates between 21 October 2007 and the 31 December 2008, Labour Party spokesperson for the Environment and National Patrimony Roderick Galdes started the debate by stating that the Authority needs serious and comprehensive reform.
Regarding efficiency, flexibility and practicality, transparency and accountability, Mr Galdes felt that the merger between MEPA and the environment authority did not have the desired effect – resulting in a thorough lack of all these principles. “Even the Environment Director admitted that reform was needed.”
The Resources and Audit Officer has also admitted he cannot investigate claims in a timely fashion with limited resources. It seems he is working with Ombudsman’s staff. Even the Planning Director is finding it hard to cope with the lack of enforcement officers, Mr Galdes said.
Mentioning that Malta was 17th among EU member states with regard to environmental issues, Mr Galdes emphasised the 452 European Directive Infringements that Malta is subject to. He was later corrected by Rural and Environment Affairs Minister George Pullicino, who said that Malta was subject to 25 infringement cases in the environmental sphere where Malta may face damages.
“How can one justify, what is not justifiable?” Mr Galdes rhetorically asked, directing his attention to the Ramla l-Hamra “U-Turn”. As for SmartCity, he felt it was good that it was being given red carpet treatment, but he asked whether an environmental impact assessment had been made. He also asked about construction waste being dumped in quarries and the rehabilitation process that was supposed to take place.
MLP’s main spokesperson for the Environment and National Patrimony, Joe Brincat, highlighted the reciprocal “have to have” of transparency in all dealings with MEPA. Speaking about the DCC, he felt that not everything can be decided by the MEPA Board. “It cannot be that those appointed on the DCC cannot contest a MEPA Board decision. The organisation will otherwise implode, he said.
Something worrying Dr Brincat is that MEPA only looks at planning. It does not incorporate other laws into giving building permits, so respect for a neighbour’s property is not taken into account.
He said third parties’ properties should be taken into consideration when handing out planning and construction permits.
PN assistant Whip Joseph Falzon commended MEPA for undertaking schemes that respected the conservation of residents’ boundary walls, timber balconies, and construction site regulations. He reiterated Dr Brincat’s plea regarding the abuse of neighbouring properties in demolition and excavation works. “MEPA should look into these to reduce the inconvenience, at times costly, caused towards neighbours.”
Mr Falzon said further safeguards should be provided to those buying property, and the National Commission for Sustainable Development should be looked into to ensure that its full potential is utilised.
Minister Pullicino said that more needed to be done, although major European funded projects were undertaken this year
As for Air Quality Monitoring, there has been an improvement in the air quality.
Benzene, he said, has decreased on average by 27 per cent, whereas Sulphur Dioxide has decreased by an average by 24 per cent. Even if fuel with less sulphur dioxide is costing the country Lm10,000,000 more, the government ruled in its favour.
Replying to Mr Galdes’s comments that very old geological sites were not being protected, Minister Pullicino said that MEPA protected 21 per cent of Maltese land, 18 per cent of which formed part of the Nature 2000 network eligible to EU Funding.
MEPA has, together with NGOs, taken action to protect 57 sites of scientific importance, two wetlands and two bird sanctuaries, among others.
Mentioning NGOs, the Minister contradicted Mr Galdes’ criticism regarding the sidelining of NGOs by quoting Astrid Vella who said that cooperation and public consultations were going smoothly with the ministry.
As for the plastic bottles mentioned by Dr Brincat, Minister Pullicino said the ministry has called on the industry to shoulder its responsibilities.
The ministry was also working with the Association of Local Councils and other stake holders to collect separated waste at source.
Recycling bottles would not be an issue as the Sant’ Antnin plant can process 14 tonnes of plastic every hour, while the projected increase in plastic waste is of six tonnes a day.
The MEPA Financial Estimates 21 Oct 2007 – 31 Dec 2008 were approved, after a division was called.