Over 30 Motions have either been submitted or are in the process of being submitted in various local councils, both where the PN holds a majority and where it does not, the party said in a statement.
"PN councillors across all localities in Malta and Gozo are currently presenting Motions in their respective local councils, calling for a Carrying-Capacity Study to be conducted in order to assess each town and village's infrastructure investment needs based on the genuine requirements of their residents."
During a press conference held in one such locality, it was said that these studies should address not only the infrastructural demands of each area, but also the common challenges residents across Malta and Gozo face in their neighbourhoods - including road congestion, waste management issues, and pressure on public services.
"In light of a growing population in each locality with no national planning in place, and the Government's continued failure to tackle the situation, it has fallen on the PN - through its local councillors - to take action. These studies determine how much development, population, or activity each locality can support without causing long-term harm to its environment, infrastructure, or the quality of life of its residents," the PN said in a statement.
The PN said that in recent weeks - since the PN announced it would launch this process, over 30 Motions have either been submitted or are in the process of being submitted in various local councils, both where the PN holds a majority and where it does not. "Of these, 16 have been discussed, and while the Motions were approved in nine local councils, they were voted down in seven others due to the Labour majority. Nevertheless, there were also councils where Labour councillors voted in favour, such as in Swieqi, where the Motion passed unanimously."
Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat and the PN councillors, joined by PN Director of Local Councillors Emvin Bartolo and President of the PN's College of Local Councillors (KKLPN) Liam Sciberras, said that the Swieqi Local Council has, "since early 2016, been consistently sounding the alarm and reporting the locality's increasingly serious problems that can be addressed through a carrying-capacity study."
"These include growing garbage problems, late-night disturbances and acts of vandalism. With waste piling up, private vehicles and property being damaged and noise levels spiralling at all hours, the community demands concrete measures from local authorities to restore safety, cleanliness and tranquillity to its streets."
At the same time, an explosion of short-let bed-nights is steadily eroding the neighbourhood's residential character, the party said. "In view of this, the Swieqi Local Council is proposing a clear regulatory threshold: should short-term stays account for more than 25% of total beds in Swieqi, the locality must automatically revert to a more restrictive zoning that preserves its residential credentials."
To chart a sustainable path forward, the Council is urging the Central Government to commission a Carrying-Capacity study examining: 1. The ideal balance between year-round residents and tourists; 2. Accessibility demands generated by both groups - public transport, pedestrian safety, traffic flow; 3. Allocation of existing open spaces relative to fluctuating population numbers; 4. Parking-space needs under varying resident-to-visitor scenarios; 5. Infrastructure resilience - drainage, waste collection, electrical grids facing peak occupancy; 6. The creation of new green/public spaces, and a piazza for the public to alleviate daily stress; 7. Strategies to cultivate Swieqi's unique identity through culture and art, anchoring it as more than just a place to stay on a regional level."
A Motion requesting such a study was presented to the Local Council and approved unanimously on the 16th of June, and it was sent to Prime Minister Robert Abela, Minister for Local Government Owen Bonnici, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli and the Director General of the Local Government Division the following day, the PN said.
Apart from this, the Swieqi Local Council has been, since when it was elected in June last year, corresponding with the Planning Authority to carry out this study, with three different requests in this regard falling on deaf ears, the party added.
"The situation in the Swieqi community is at a tipping point. Without an immediate intervention to tackle waste and night-time disturbances, and to regulate the rapidly increasing number of short-let rentals, Swieqi risks losing the very essence of its neighbourhood: a safe, clean, tightly knit place the residents are proud to call home."
"Residents are therefore calling for a carrying-capacity study to be carried out as soon as possible to safeguard Swieqi's future as a residential and cultural hub. These are their key demands: Stricter enforcement of waste-management schedules; Stricter enforcement of noise-control with graduated penalties for repeat offenders; Caps on short-let bed-nights limited to 25% of total housing stock, enforced via regular audits and licensing reviews; A government fully-funded carrying-capacity assessment, with public consultation at each stage and transparent publication of findings; Allocation of budget toward new public green spaces, pedestrian-friendly piazza designs and cultural/arts programming."
"The Swieqi Local Council stands ready to partner with government officials, tourism stakeholders and local businesses to ensure Swieqi thrives - both as a welcoming destination and as a cherished home."