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MEPA Rewards Illegalities.... 17.7.10
The environment NGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, NatureTrust Malta and Ramblers’ Association of Malta are pleased to note that MEPA reform is picking up momentum; the MEPA Reform Act has now become law and the Environment Protection Department is being strengthened by an additional 45 staff members. Moreover an Environment Policy for the Maltese Islands is being drawn up to address Malta’s environmental concerns by bringing the policies and actions of all Government ministries in line with the proposals of the environment document. If it actually comes about, this would be a welcome change from the present situation, where different ministries routinely violate environmental guidelines.
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Lack of Action on Air Quality Health Threat.... 4.7.10
On the 24th June it was reported that Malta had taken the easy way out on air monitoring by convincing the EU that almost half of the 52 occasions when Malta exceeded EU limits of particulate matter in our air had were due to "natural causes" like 'dust from the Sahara Desert' and sea spray.
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Wrong Decisions are taken and will continue to be taken.... 26.6.10
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is heartened by the MEPA Board’s request for a revision of plans for a project to construct 164 apartments, 232 garages and 960 square metres of commercial space on the site of the former Seven-Up factory in Hamrun. The issued raises at the hearing included the negative impact on the views of the Urban Conservation Area near the Wignacourt Aqueduct water tower, inadequate pedestrian areas and the traffic problems that such an intensive development could create, given the narrow streets of the area.
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Delimara Power Station Extension Sludge.... 12.6.10
Now that the dust seems to have settled in the debate on the Delimara Power Station Extension (DPSE), the environment NGOs Friends of the Earth, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Ramblers’ Association of Malta are seriously concerned that there are still potentially serious environmental problems which have not been properly tackled.
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Hondoq Consultation shame.... 30.5.10
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Ramblers Association deplore MEPA’s handling of the public consultation regarding the Environment Impact Assessment of the proposed hotel, villas, apartments, and yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo.
In view of the fact that a sizeable crowd was expected, the Qala school hall was chosen as a large enough venue. Why then, was part of the hall partitioned off, reducing the space available?
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NGO reaction to Hondoq ir-Rummien project.... 21.5.10
The environment and heritage NGOs Archaeological Society Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, GAIA Foundation, Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq and Ramblers Association maintain that the credibility of the Eco-Gozo campaign hangs in the balance as the Qala Creek project to build a hotel, approximately 250 residences and a yacht marina in the Hondoq hillside is assessed. The approved Gozo and Comino Local Plan proposes the Hondoq ir-Rummien area as a Site of Ecological Importance, a Site of Scientific importance for its geology, an Area of Ecological Importance and as a Category ‘A’ valley.
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MEPA reform kicking in, hopefully.... 12.5.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes recent decisions taken by MEPA boards that indicate an increased sensitivity to public interest and, not before time, a social conscience.
Friday 6th May marked a landmark decision for MEPA when a full application for the development of industrial garages in Maghtab was refused even though the site had been previously granted an outline development permit. The proposed development, which included the demolition of a disused rabbit farm and the construction of industrial premises, was deemed by the MEPA Board to go against the public interest, as the development did not respect planning policies.
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BIRŻEBBUĠIA SCRAPYARD – STILL OPERATING IN SPITE OF MEPA CLOSURE 1.5.10
On 3rd April 2009 the Times of Malta reported “MEPA closes ta’ Gasparell illegal scrap yard”. Full credit is due to MEPA for such direct action. However environment and heritage group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) points out that in spite of reports, MEPA did not carry out regular monitoring of the site. As a result, MEPA enforcement staff failed to notice that the owner frequently removes the large concrete blocks originally placed by MEPA to close off this site – as may be seen in the photos above - putting them back in place in the evenings.
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Delimara Power Station Threat to Public Health 28.4.10
The environment NGOs Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth, NatureTrust and Ramblers are greatly concerned by the major public health issues involved in the emissions of the proposed Delimara Power Station extension to be run on heavy fuel oil.
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Five Environmental NGos welcome MEPA Decision re Dwejra 10.4.10
The environmental NGOs – BirdLife Malta, Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust (Malta)and Ramblers Association Malta welcome the decision by the MEPA Board not to sanction the illegally built boathouses at the Dwejra Inland Sea. The NGOs ' view this as an encouraging sign and hope that MEPA will now live up to the promised reform – that of a giving a higher priority to environmental concerns and issues as well as brining about a change in attitudes. This outcome confirms what the NGOs have been maintaining that MEPA's decisions should be based on regulations, and not on the presence or absence of objectors.
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FAA/University Architecture Awards 2010
Months of hard work bore fruit when fourth year architecture students were awarded the Tony Mifsud Architecture Award organised by the conservation and environment group, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar in conjunction with Professor Denis de Lucca, head of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Malta
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Stop Project Piano Petition 3.4.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) states categorically that it is not one of the organisers of the STOP PROJECT PIANO petition for which signatures are being gathered in order to request a referendum on the Valletta Rehabilitation Project. This politically-independent petition as well as a number of other Internet-driven initiatives confirm that a great many Maltese citizens across the political divide feel very strongly about this project and the fact that they were denied a say in a project of national importance to be paid out of public funds.
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Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar condemns attack 25.2.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) condemns in the strongest terms the malicious attack on one of its founder members by Stephen Calleja, as published in the Independent of 21 February.
The allegation made by Stephen Calleja is that Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar coordinator Astrid Vella, should be automatically excluded from sitting on the reformed Malta Environment and Planning Authority by virtue of the fact that Astrid Vella " has a 16.7 per cent shareholding in B.M.C. Developments Limited".
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Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar calls for legality and EIA on Valletta Plans 20.2.10
The Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi recently announced that the Valletta Regeneration project will begin within months, if not weeks, “once the Malta Environment and Planning Authority gives its go-ahead.” Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) emphasises the choice of words “once the MEPA gives its go-ahead and not “if”, implying a pre-decided permit. This certainty is surprising since the project as presented violates a number of MEPA regulations.
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Tourism at all costs? 4.1.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) recognises the need for growth in the tourism sector and its contribution to the socio-economic well being of the Maltese Islands as well as the importance of regenerating and diversifying the tourism product in order to secure our competitiveness in the sector.
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Positive moves on the heritage front - 7.1.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism's recent initiative to apply for financial assistance under the European Regional Development Fund, with the intention of rehabilitating Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa.
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Harassment of Environmental Activists - 2.1.10
Birdlife Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), Friends of the Earth (Malta), GAIA Foundation, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement (MOAM) and Ramblers Association of Malta condemn the recent media attacks on environmental activists Astrid Vella, FAA Coordinator, and Lino Bugeja, President of the Ramblers Association of Malta.
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FAA welcomes Budget measures - 9.11.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar welcomes the importance given to heritage in this Budget, as shown by the funds allocated to the restoration of the Palace, the Birgu collacchio, the Cittadella and various other heritage sites in Malta and Gozo.
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Wied Ghajn Zejtuna and Balluta Valley - 9.11.09
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the announcement that MEPA has scheduled Wied Ghajn Zejtuna at the Santa Maria Estate in Mellieha. Although limited in size, this area forms a rich eco-system supported by the permanent the freshwater spring which runs through it.
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Trees, not cars at Balluta Square - 7.11.09
FAA voices its concern over the St Julian’s Local Council’s March 2009 decision to pursue its project to create a car park accomodating 130 cars in Balluta Square, and deplores the fact that this project was not discussed with local residents before being decided upon.
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Ensuring the survival of our heritage building- 31.10.09
The heritage and environment group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the initiative by Government to acquire properties that are of cultural or historical significance so that they may be preserved for posterity by the Nation.
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University students provide design solutions in sensitive areas - 22.10.09
Architecture awards set up by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) in conjunction with the University Architecture Department are sensitising tomorrow’s architects to the particular needs of rural and historic areas. “FAA wanted to create something positive that would contribute to the nation so they set up the Julian Manduca Award for sustainable development of rural areas and the Tony Mifsud award for urban conservation projects” explained Sir Martin Laing, opening the award ceremony on behalf of FAA.
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The nation’s health continues to be ignored - 14.10.09
It is commendable that Malta has made the seemingly impossible undertaking to meet the EU legally-binding limits on air pollutants by next year, through increased use of the CCGT plant, combustion optimisation and modification of boilers at the Delimara generation plant, however this still ignores the more immediate and direct threat to peoples' health from street level traffic pollution.
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Heritage: Let's get our priorities right - 26.09.09
In the space of just five days Malta has experienced two major heritage setbacks: the closure of Fort St Angelo due to dangerous structural cracks and the collapse of a section of the Floriana fortifications. Neither of these was an overnight development. The deteriorating situation at St Angelo has been known and highlighted in the press for some time, however Heritage Malta lacks the funds to carry out the necessary large scale restoration works.
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Positive developments in urban preservation - 19.09.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar commends the recent restoration and official opening of Villa Francia, the latest in a series of successful restoration projects which includes the restoration of the chapel of Our Saviour at Kalkara, as well as the rehabilitation works being carried out on the façades of the Palace, the Biblioteca, the Auberge de Castille, Maison Demandols, Liesse Church not to mention kilometers of bastions.
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Siting of New Parliament Building - 13.09.09
It is now clear that instructions given to architect Renzo Piano were to design a parliament building and restore dignity to City Gate. The rebuilding of the opera house has been discussed intermittently since its destruction, but the idea of a parliament building was merely mentioned to the public and never revived, although Piano has been working on the project for around three years.
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Actions on Vehicle Emissions - 31.08.09
It was recently announced that Malta will request exemption from EU rules on air quality and PM10 particulate traffic pollution until mid-2011. The standard approach of our Government seems to be that of ignoring EU policies and then applying for exemptions. There is now irrefutable, damning scientific proof confirming the adverse health effects of traffic pollution, especially that caused by faulty diesel engines. .
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Environment Impact Assessments Consultants’ Registration and Review Board - 30.08.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) is encouraged by recent developments leading to the setting up of a Register of Environment Impact Assessment Consultants, a measure FAA has been calling for ever since its inception. The Registration and Review Board that has been set up will ensure that professionals carrying out environment assessments and coordination have the right qualifications, skills, training and experience to draw up reports within their specific field.
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Renzo Piano Plan for the opera house site - 29.07.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar cannot understand the reasoning behind the decision to construct a theatre without a roof on the opera house site, a budgetary compromise which will limit its use in winter as well as in summer when Valletta is subjected to festa noise four days a week. Performances would also be disturbed by the private functions which are held regularly in the public gardens, the summer festival at the Argotti gardens, the Isle of MTV and other concerts on the granaries, the Jazz Festival and 21st September celebrations.
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Renzo Piano Plan for City Gate and Transport - 27.07.09
Whilst recognising the difficulty of redesigning City Gate following the rather insensitive construction of the present gate in 1964, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) suggests that something more than a bare gap in the bastions might be more suited as the main entrance to a fortified city, especially since continuity of the bastion line was essential for its function and ethos. The plans as submitted do not reflect the particular character of our fortified capital. We may feel that that it is time to move on from this image of Valletta, but has this been studied, and accepted and accepted in view of both Valletta’s history and touristic draw
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