Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1500237
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 MAY 2023 NEWS Conrad Borg Manche, Gzira: 'We need to consider the needs of the public, not just the needs of the few' Gzira Mayor Conrad Borg Manche stresses the need for urgent change in the way planning decisions are made. "We cannot remain in a situation where everyone does as they please with no control whatsoever." Borg Manche was in the limelight this year following a court victory regarding the relocation of a fuel station just outside Manoel Island to the edge of Council of Europe Gardens. The Gzira fuel pump case is an example of everything that is wrong with planning decisions in Malta, Borg Manche says. He highlighted how the relocation process had started behind his back, with no consultation with the local council. He expects planning decisions to be taken after consultation with elected community representatives such as local councils. These decisions cannot continue to be taken by unelected officials, he adds. As a Labour mayor, Borg Manche says certain decisions taken by the Planning Authority go completely against the Labour Party's principles. Paul Buttigieg, Qala: 'They support you only when it suits them' Qala Labour Mayor Paul Buttigieg expresses his frustration about hollow statements from both political parties that are not followed by action to address the environmental threat posed by unbridled development. More specifically, Buttigieg refers to the Hondoq ir-Rummien project, which despite the Planning Review Tribunal's rejection, is yet again at appeals stage. After 20 years of fighting against development in Hondoq Bay, Buttigieg urges the government to expropriate the land and save it for ever. His request so far has fallen on deaf ears. Regarding the far-reaching influence of developers, Buttigieg highlights the many hurdles he has had to jump over, and the attempts made to have him removed from mayor. He also makes reference to the "culture" which has made it possible for people within his own council and party to undermine him as mayor. This is the third national protest Buttigieg has attended and addressed. "I'm tired of waiting 22 years for expropriation. I've had enough." Josef Masini Vento, Qormi: 'This fight belongs to everyone' Qormi Labour Mayor Josef Masini Vento says the fight highlighted by the national protest transcends political parties. The anger expressed toward the Planning Authority and its decisions is shared by all, he says. "The price of these decisions is being felt by everyone, regardless of party alliance." He describes Qormi as one of the localities shouldering a significant burden caused by economic growth. In 2020, Qormi saw the third highest number of building permits issued, with 296 permits during the pandemic year. "People are right to express their anger, as this is not about one case of poor decision-making. The cases have been mounting up for years." He mentions the 2006 local plans as the starting point for what we are witnessing today. Describing the plans as "a huge mistake", Masini Vento says the plans can no longer be used as an excuse to do nothing. "As true socialists, we must always be present in the fight against environmental destruction," he says. Reporting by Matthew Farrugia The mayors speak Angry and loud: Thousands LUKE VELLA A national protest in Valletta on Saturday morning has drawn thousands of people demanding planning reform and an end to environmental destruction. The protest was organised by multiple environmental organi- sations and started off at around 10:30am at the Triton square. Chants of "xebbajtuna" (we've had enough), which was also the official slogan of the protests, echoed around the streets of Valletta, as the crowd made its way to Castille square and even- tually in front of the law courts. The warm and clear weather attracted thousands of people, but also activists, and also pol- iticians from both sides of the aisle. The protest was called by Moviment Graffitti, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, BirdLife Malta, Għawdix, Ramblers Association Malta, Nature Trust – FEE Malta and Friends of the Earth Malta. It was subsequently endorsed by over 70 groups, including students', social, cultural, herit- age and residents' organisations. Organisers said the country is in a "state of emergency" and that the quality of life and nat- ural environmental are deterio- rating rapidly due to a "frenzy of reckless buildings" enabled by a "web of politicians and develop- ers who have created a system that serves the profit of the few instead of the common good." "There is no justice in losing our country to the rule of greed. We are facing an environmental situation that is rapidly getting worse and requires genuine ac- tion, not empty words and cos- metic changes," the organisers said. The protesters demanded a reform in the planning policies, to stop buildings on ODZ, the height and intensity of build- ings, the height of hotels, and the scheduling of sites of histor- ic interest and value. They also called for a "radical" reform for all institutions re- sponsible for the environment, planning and lands, so that they start functioning in a serious and transparent manner and independently from politicians and businesses. The third demand was for an economic model that seeks a better quality of life for every- one and not endless economic growth based on the profits of the few. Speakers demand change Jacqueline Rotin, a senior lec- turer at Junior College who was an active participant in the suc- cessful campaign against the Marsaskala marina, said that the Maltese are witnessing the "de- struction of their country". "We want a change in the ad- ministration of public land. This should be in the best interest of our children and future genera- tions," Rotin said. She said it was ironic that youths were often told that land is expensive because it's scarce, but it is then given away to de- velopers for "free". "Developers always know that they will get their way, despite the protests and backlash, and they proceed with the works de- spite the appeals." She said that construction waste should not be utilised for