Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) yesterday proposed reverting to a system with which development control and environment protection within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority are managed by two distinct authorities, as opposed to the current situation where MEPA acts as an umbrella organisation for both remits.
“Development Control and Planning have dominated over the protection of Malta’s environment since MEPA was set up,” AD Chairman Harry Vassallo said. “We now have a situation where MEPA, in itself, has become a deviation to the rule of law to the detriment of the environment that it is meant to protect.”
Vassallo went on to explain how the first-hand experience of Carmel Cacopardo, who he was flanked by, has not only made him decide to disassociate himself from the Nationalist Party but also to contest the next elections under the green party ticket.
On his part, Cacopardo also referred to AD’s proposal to hold local referenda for developments that would be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. “With this system democracy prevails over proposals such as yacht marinas in Hondoq ir-Rummien and Marsaskala.”
Cacopardo underlined the importance in a proposed revision to board appointments in the environmental system. “Board members should not be appointed by politicians but by specific committees. We need to recognise competence, not party membership.”
Vassallo reiterated the “right” AD has earned to be represented in parliament, highlighting the need of a watchdog in parliament to address, among others, the issue of property management. “28%ercent of properties in Malta are vacant, that makes 30,000 of them,” he said. “The sad part is that we continue to build. With 30,000 less properties we could have had a vast a green stretch as the whole distance between Pembroke and Qormi. If we had to fill up empty property in Malta, our electricity supply would not be sufficient for the increase in population.”
Vassallo said other parties refuse to address this issue simply because “the construction industry is financing them.” He said instead of containing the problem, “they go ahead with extending zones applicable for development.”